Editor’s note: This article was updated in 2022 to link a more appropriate section of the relevant statute.
In Idaho law, you may not transport a child six years old or younger in a motor vehicle manufactured with seat belts after January 1, 1966 unless the child is properly secured in a child safety restraint that meets federal motor vehicle safety standards. The Idaho Transportation Department recommends that children be restrained every time they are transported in a motor vehicle, that children ride in the back seat until they are at least thirteen years old, that you use the correct safety seat for your child’s height and weight, and that you use child safety seats and seat belts correctly.
Babies and Children Up to Two Years Old
Idaho law does not state how long a baby or child must ride rear facing in a car seat. However, the Idaho Transportation Department recommends that babies and children ride rear facing in a car seat until they are two years old or until they reach the highest height and weight limits allowed by the car seat manufacturer.
Children Two to Four Years Old
Idaho law does not specify how long a child must ride forward facing in a car seat. The Idaho Transportation Department does recommend that children ride forward facing in a car seat until they are approximately four years old, weigh between forty and sixty-five pounds, and have not reached the upper height and weight limits of the car seat. You should use the top tether of the car seat until your child weighs forty pounds.
Children Four to Eight Years Old
Idaho law does not dictate how long a child must ride in a booster seat. The Idaho Transportation Department recommends that children ride in a high back or backless belt positioning booster seat from approximately four to at least eight years old or until they reach 4’9.” You should not use lap-belt only seating positions with a booster seat for your child.
Children Eight Years Old and Older
If your child is eight years old or older and at least 4’9”, the Idaho Transportation Department recommends that he or she use an adult seat belt. The lap belt should lay across your child’s upper thighs. The shoulder belt should cross your child’s chest. Your child’s knees should bend at the edge of the seat.
Penalties for Violations
Idaho’s child passenger safety law is a primary law. If an occupant of your vehicle is under 18 years of age and fails to wear a safety restraint, you may be fined a fixed penalty of $10.00 and you may be ordered to pay court costs. If you fail to restrain a child in a car safety seat, you may be fined a fixed penalty of $66.50 and ordered to pay court costs.
Exemptions
Your child may be exempt from the requirement to be properly secured in a child safety restraint that meets federal motor vehicle safety standards if a commercial motor vehicle operator is transporting your child.
Your child may be exempt from the requirement to be properly secured in a child safety restraint that meets federal motor vehicle safety standards if all of the motor vehicle’s seat belts are in use. If all of the motor vehicle’s seat belts are in use, your child must ride in the rear seat (if the motor vehicle has one) while he or she is unrestrained.
Your child may be exempt from the requirement to be properly secured in a child safety seat that meets federal motor vehicle safety standards if you have removed your child from the car safety restraint to nurse or to take care of your child’s other immediate bodily needs. You must be holding your child while he or she is unrestrained.
FAQ
What are the booster seat requirements in Idaho?
Car seat law in Idaho does not state when a child can ride in a booster seat. The Idaho Department of Transportation recommends that children between four years old and eight years old up to 4’9” tall should use a booster seat that is either high back or backless. The booster seat should only be secured with a lap and shoulder belt.
What are car seat laws for forward facing car seats in Idaho?
Idaho child car seat laws do not state when a child can ride in a forward facing car seat. The Idaho DOT recommends that children who have outgrown their rear facing car seat can be transferred to a forward facing car seat. The Idaho Department of Transportation states that children up to four years old that weigh between forty and sixty-five pounds can ride in a forward facing car seat. It also warns parents to secure the car seat with the top tether until their child weighs more than 40 pounds.
What are Idaho front seat laws?
Idaho child car seat laws do not state when a child can ride in the front seat. However, the Idaho Department of Transportation recommends that children under thirteen years old should ride in the back seat.
* Ms. Blake is licensed in the state of Maryland. The information provided in this article does not constitute legal advice and does not create an attorney-client relationship.
