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Car seat & booster law

Mississippi

Verified · JUN 2026

Quick answer · Mississippi

A car seat or booster is required until your child is 7 years old or taller than 4'9".

A child under 4 must be in a child passenger restraint device. A child 4 to 6 who is under 4 feet 9 inches or under 65 pounds must be in a belt-positioning booster. From age 7, or once 4 feet 9 inches and 65 pounds, a seat belt is allowed.

Rear-facing per seat Forward per seat Booster < 7 yr Belt 7+ yr
Miss. Code Ann. § 63-7-301 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 7 or 4'9"
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 Mississippi's legal minimum, which ends the booster requirement at age 7. Pediatricians recommend a booster until the seat belt actually fits, often closer to age 8 to 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 Mississippi.

Rear-facing Guidance
Age
Infant (per seat)
Forward-facing Guidance
Age
Toddler (per seat)
Booster Miss. Code Ann. § 63-7-301
Age
until 7 yr
Height
< 4'9" / 145 cm
Seat belt Miss. Code Ann. § 63-7-301
Age
7 yr +
Height
or ≥ 4'9" / 145 cm
Back seat Guidance
Age
Recommended < 13

Frequently asked questions

What is the car seat law in Mississippi in 2026?
A child under 4 must be in a child passenger restraint device. A child 4 to 6 who is under 4 feet 9 inches or under 65 pounds must be in a belt-positioning booster. From age 7, or once 4 feet 9 inches and 65 pounds, a seat belt is allowed.
When can my child stop using a booster in Mississippi?
At age 7, or once the child is both 4 feet 9 inches tall and 65 pounds. Pediatricians recommend keeping a child in a booster until the seat belt actually fits.
Does Mississippi require a child to ride rear-facing, and until what age?
No. Mississippi law does not set a rear-facing age. The law only requires that the restraint meet federal standards. Pediatricians still recommend keeping a child rear-facing as long as the car seat allows, which is the safest option even though the state does not require it.
Do children have to ride in the back seat in Mississippi?
No. Mississippi law does not require children to ride in the back seat. It is still recommended for all children under 13, since the back seat is the safest place for them to ride.

Sources

Verified · JUN 2026

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