Car Seat Laws in Maryland
Maryland car seat laws require children under eight to ride in an approved child restraint seat until they’re 4’9”.
Written by Tom Hindle
Reviewed by Kathleen Flear
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Maryland car seat laws require children under the age of eight to be secured in a manufacturer-verified child restraint seat.
Maryland doesn’t have any specific rules regarding what ages children should switch from child restraint seats to booster seats; however, the government recommends that children who weigh less than 40 pounds ride in seats with harnesses.
Failing to abide by the state's car seat laws can lead to fines, legal trouble, or even increased
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What is the car seat law in Maryland?
Passengers under the age of eight (or until they reach 80 pounds or 4’9") must be placed in a manufacturer-approved child restraint seat.
Children under the age of 16 are legally required to wear seat belts. It’s the responsibility of the driver to enforce this rule.
Though there’s no official law on seats with harnesses, it’s recommended that children who weigh less than 40 pounds be buckled into an approved harness.
A driver is not allowed to operate a motor vehicle unless everyone inside is restrained by a seat belt or child restraint seat.
Key Takeaway Kids under the age of eight (or under 80 pounds or shorter than 4’9") have to ride in an approved child restraint seat or booster seat.
What are the penalties for breaking the car seat law in Maryland?
Breaking car seat laws in Maryland is a minor infraction and will lead to a $50 fine. The fee can be waived if the driver shows proof of purchase of a verified child restraint seat.
The driver is deemed responsible for all passengers in the car under the age of 16, so make sure all of your companions are buckled up and secured!
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Can breaking the car seat law impact my driving record?
Probably not. Breaking the car seat law in Maryland is a minor infraction and won’t accrue any driver's license points. Additionally, getting an approved car seat after being cited will help your case.
Be warned, though, that if you continue to tally infractions, your driving record will start to look rough.
Also, if you’re driving with unsecured children in the car, you’re putting their lives at risk. Basically, it’s better to just follow the rules.
Key Takeaway Violating Maryland car seat laws won’t earn you any points on your record but make sure you follow them to protect the children in your car.
How breaking car seat laws can impact insurance in Maryland
Breaking the car seat law in Maryland won’t add any
points to your license
, so your insurance premiums likely won’t increase. But infractions will be noted. If they continue to add up, insurance providers will regard you as a
high-risk driver
—and this could hike your premiums. Additionally, if you don’t pay the $50 fine, your credit score could take a hit. In some states, that can lead to an insurance hike.
The best thing to do is stay safe and promptly pay any fines you receive.
Key Takeaway While one violation is unlikely to affect your premiums, repeated citations could result in your insurance rates going up.
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