Car seat & booster law

Mississippi

Q: 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.

Q: 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.

Q: 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.

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

Car seat law checker

The legally required restraint, by state.

General information, not legal advice.

SeatChecker

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.

Mississippi car seat law requirements by restraint stage, age, height, weight, and statutory citation.
Stage	Age	Height	Weight	Citation
Rear-facing	Infant (per seat)	—	—	Guidance
Forward-facing	Toddler (per seat)	—	—	Guidance
Booster	until 7 yr	< 4'9" / 145 cm	—	Miss. Code Ann. § 63-7-301
Seat belt	7 yr +	or ≥ 4'9" / 145 cm	—	Miss. Code Ann. § 63-7-301
Back seat	Recommended < 13	—	—	Guidance

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?

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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