Pennsylvania requires children under two to use a rear-facing car seat in the backseat. Check the car seat manufacturer’s requirements for older kids.

Written by Bonnie Stinson

Reviewed by Kathleen Flear

Updated on Mar 23, 2023

Table of Contents

What is it?
Penalties
Driving record
Insurance implications
Cheap insurance

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Pennsylvania law requires that children under two years of age use a rear-facing car seat in the backseat. When a child outgrows the car seat manufacturer’s height and weight requirements, they may be allowed to graduate to the next level.

Breaking Pennsylvania’s car seat laws could earn you fines, along with putting young passengers in danger.

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What is the car seat law in Pennsylvania?

Pennsylvania law requires that children under two years old use a rear-facing car seat in the backseat.

Until the age of four, children in Pennsylvania must be restrained with a federally-approved child safety seat. Children between four and eight are legally required to be restrained with an appropriate booster seat.

When a child outgrows the car seat manufacturer’s height and weight requirements, they may be allowed to graduate to the next level.

Key Takeaway Follow the manufacturer guidelines for height and weight, and consult expert recommendations for installation to be sure you’re using appropriate protections.

MORE:

What are Pennsylvania's seat belt laws?

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

If you break Pennsylvania’s car seat law, you will face a penalty of $125.

Note that this fee is per violation. So if you have two children in the car and neither is secured properly, your total fine could be $250.

The Pennsylvania car seat law in 2018 holds up today and is per the Center for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) advice.

Key Takeaway The penalty for breaking the car seat law in Pennsylvania is $125 per violation.

Can breaking the car seat law impact my driving record?

It’s unlikely. In Pennsylvania, you will not get points on your driving record if you break the car seat law.

MORE:

What is a clean driving record?

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How breaking car seat laws can impact insurance in Pennsylvania

If you are fined for breaking a car seat law in Pennsylvania and you do not pay the fine, it could impact your insurance.

This is because if you do not pay that fine (or pay it late), it could affect your credit. In Pennsylvania, it’s legal for insurance companies to consider your credit score when calculating your premium.

So if you do not want your car insurance premium to go up, then be sure to pay your fees promptly. Even better, don’t break the law!

MORE:

Pennsylvania car insurance laws

Finding cheap car insurance

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