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Car seat & booster law

Minnesota

Verified · JUN 2026

Quick answer · Minnesota

A car seat or booster is required until your child is 9 years old.

Children under 2 must ride rear-facing, then in a forward-facing harness, then in a booster until age 9. From age 9, a properly fitting seat belt is allowed. Children under 13 must ride in the rear seat when available.

Rear-facing < 2 yr Forward 2+ yr Booster < 9 yr Belt 9+ yr
Minn. Stat. § 169.685 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
Age 2
Booster until
Age 9
Back seat
Required under 13

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 Minnesota's legal minimum. Minnesota's staged law tracks the recommendations closely, including back seat use through age 12.

Every stage, by the law

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

Rear-facing Minn. Stat. § 169.685
Age
Birth – 2 yr
Forward-facing Minn. Stat. § 169.685
Age
2 yr – 9 yr
Booster Minn. Stat. § 169.685
Age
until 9 yr
Seat belt Minn. Stat. § 169.685
Age
9 yr +
Back seat Minn. Stat. § 169.685
Age
under 13 yr

Frequently asked questions

What is the car seat law in Minnesota in 2026?
Children under 2 must ride rear-facing, then in a forward-facing harness, then in a booster until age 9. From age 9, a properly fitting seat belt is allowed, and children under 13 must ride in the rear seat when available.
When can my child stop using a booster in Minnesota?
At age 9, when a child may use a properly fitting seat belt. Pediatricians recommend keeping a child in a booster until the seat belt actually fits, often around 4 feet 9 inches.
Until what age must a child ride rear-facing in Minnesota?
A child under 2 must ride in a rear-facing child restraint with an internal harness. Once a child is at least 2 and has outgrown the rear-facing seat, they move to a forward-facing harness seat. Pediatricians recommend keeping a child rear-facing as long as the seat's height and weight limits allow.
Do children have to ride in the back seat in Minnesota?
Yes. A child under 13 must ride in the rear seat of the vehicle when one is available. The back seat is the safest place for any child under 13.

Sources

Verified · JUN 2026

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