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Car seat & booster law

Florida

Verified · JUN 2026

Quick answer · Florida

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

Children 5 and younger must ride in a federally approved child restraint device: a car seat for ages 0 through 3, and a car seat or booster for ages 4 and 5. Florida sets no rear-facing age, no 4'9" rule, and no back-seat requirement, and a seat belt is legal from age 6.

Rear-facing per seat Forward per seat Booster < 6 yr Belt 6+ yr
Fla. Stat. § 316.613 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 Florida's legal minimum, which is notably lighter: it ends at age 6 with no height rule. Pediatricians recommend keeping a child in each stage much longer.

Every stage, by the law

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

Rear-facing Guidance
Age
Infant (per seat)
Forward-facing Guidance
Age
Toddler (per seat)
Booster Fla. Stat. § 316.613
Age
until 6 yr
Seat belt Fla. Stat. § 316.613
Age
6 yr +
Back seat Guidance
Age
Recommended < 13

Frequently asked questions

What is the car seat law in Florida in 2026?
Children 5 and younger must be in a federally approved child restraint device. Ages 0 through 3 must use a car seat; ages 4 and 5 may use a car seat or a booster. From age 6, a seat belt is legal.
Does Florida require booster seats until 4'9" or age 8?
No. Florida's child restraint law ends at age 5, with no 4 foot 9 inch rule and no age-8 booster requirement. Pediatricians still recommend a booster until the seat belt fits, usually around 4 feet 9 inches and ages 8 to 12.
Does Florida require a rear-facing car seat, and until what age?
Florida law does not set a rear-facing age. The statute only requires a federally approved child restraint device for children 5 and younger. Pediatricians still recommend keeping a child rear-facing as long as the seat allows, until the child reaches the highest weight or height the manufacturer permits.
Are taxis and Uber or Lyft exempt from Florida's car seat law?
No. Florida's child restraint requirement has only narrow exceptions and does not broadly exempt taxis or rideshare. Children 5 and younger still need a child restraint device in a taxi or an Uber or Lyft. Plan ahead, since these vehicles do not provide one.

Sources

Verified · JUN 2026

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