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Car seat & booster law

Arkansas

Verified · JUN 2026

Quick answer · Arkansas

A car seat or booster is required until your child is 6 years old.

A child under 15 must be in a child passenger restraint system. A child under 6 and under 60 pounds must be in a child safety seat. From age 6, or once 60 pounds, a seat belt is allowed.

Rear-facing per seat Forward per seat Booster < 6 yr Belt 6+ yr
Ark. Code Ann. § 27-34-104 Read the statute

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The legally required restraint, by state.

3 yrs

General information, not legal advice.

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Required vs recommended

What the law enforces, and what pediatricians advise. They are not the same.

The law requires

Minimum, or it's enforceable

Rear-facing until
Not specified by law
Booster until
Age 6
Back seat
Not required

Pediatricians recommend

AAP — safer, not the law

Rear-facing until
To seat limit (often age 2+)
Booster until
4'9" — typically age 8–12
Back seat
Until age 13

AAP guidance is a safety best practice and is separate from Arkansas's legal minimum, which ends at age 6 or 60 pounds. Pediatricians recommend a booster until the seat belt fits, often around 4 feet 9 inches.

Every stage, by the law

Dual units shown throughout (in + cm, lb + kg). Rows marked Guidance are best practice, not a statutory requirement in Arkansas.

Rear-facing Guidance
Age
Infant (per seat)
Forward-facing Guidance
Age
Toddler (per seat)
Booster Ark. Code Ann. § 27-34-104
Age
until 6 yr
Seat belt Ark. Code Ann. § 27-34-104
Age
6 yr +
Back seat Guidance
Age
Recommended < 13

Frequently asked questions

What is the car seat law in Arkansas in 2026?
A child under 15 must be in a child passenger restraint system. A child under 6 and under 60 pounds must be in a child safety seat. From age 6, or once 60 pounds, a seat belt is allowed.
Does Arkansas require booster seats to 4'9" or age 8?
No. Arkansas releases a child from the child safety seat requirement at age 6 or 60 pounds, with no 4 foot 9 inch rule. Pediatricians still recommend a booster until the seat belt fits, usually around 4 feet 9 inches and ages 8 to 12.
Does Arkansas require a rear-facing car seat by age?
No. Arkansas law does not set a rear-facing age. The law requires the child's restraint to meet federal standards, but it does not put a specific age on when a child must be rear-facing. Pediatricians still recommend keeping a child rear-facing as long as the seat allows, up to the seat's height or weight limit.
Are taxis and Uber or Lyft exempt from the Arkansas car seat law?
Taxis are exempt. The law applies to a passenger automobile, van, or pickup truck that is not operated for hire, so vehicles operated for hire such as taxis are excluded. Arkansas law does not state whether rideshare services like Uber or Lyft are covered, so this is not specified. For safety, it is best to bring your own car seat when you can.

Sources

Verified · JUN 2026

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