Car Seat Laws in Maine

Maine car seat laws are very comprehensive, requiring kids under 12 to be secured in the back seat in an appropriate restraint system for their size.
Written by Michelle Ballestrasse
Reviewed by Kathleen Flear
background
In
Maine
, all children under the age of 12 must be secured in the back seat of the car using a safety restraint that is appropriate for their size.
Maine car seat laws are some of the most comprehensive in the country, and drivers who disobey them will incur some hefty fines. To help keep you compliant, the
car insurance
comparison and broker app
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has compiled everything you need to know about car seat laws in Maine.
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What is the car seat law in Maine?

In the state of Maine, car seat requirements are broken down as follows:
  • Children up to 2 years old must be secured in a rear-facing child safety seat positioned in the rear seats.
  • Children over 2 years old who weigh less than 55 pounds must be in a forward-facing child safety seat positioned in the rear seats.
  • Children under the age of 8 who weigh less than 80 pounds and are shorter than 57 inches must be in a booster seat in the rear seats.
  • Children over 12 years old and weighing more than 100 pounds can safely ride in the front passenger seats while wearing a seatbelt—but until then should ride in the rear passenger seats.
Key Takeaway Maine’s car seat laws comply with the recommendations established by the American Academy of Pediatrics.

What are the penalties for breaking the car seat law in Maine?

Fines are imposed for breaking car seat laws in Maine, with the fines increasing with each subsequent violation.
  • A first offense incurs a $50 fine
  • A second offense incurs a $125 fine
  • A third offense incurs a $250 fine

Can breaking the car seat law impact my driving record?

The citations you incur for breaking the law will show up on your
driving record
but do not incur any points.
Maine’s car seat laws are not considered moving violations; however, they are considered primary laws. This means that an officer can pull you over if they suspect your children are not properly harnessed—even if you aren’t breaking any other driving laws.

How breaking car seat laws can impact insurance in Maine

Although breaking car seat laws won’t incur
points on your license
, you will receive a citation if you’re pulled over. These citations show up on your driving record, which insurance carriers reference when they’re gauging your risk level.
More citations signal to your carrier that you're a higher driving risk, and that can result in higher insurance premiums.
Key Takeaway Citations on your driving record can affect your insurance rates.
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