Car seat & booster law

Ohio

Q: When can my child stop using a booster in Ohio?

Once the child is 8 years old or reaches 4 feet 9 inches. Pediatricians recommend keeping a child in a booster until the seat belt fits, usually around 4 feet 9 inches and ages 8 to 12.

Q: Does Ohio require rear-facing car seats?

Ohio law does not set a rear-facing age. It requires a child under 4 years or under 40 pounds to be in a child safety seat. Pediatricians recommend keeping a child rear-facing as long as the seat allows, well beyond what Ohio law requires.

Q: Are taxis exempt from Ohio's car seat law?

Yes. Ohio exempts certain vehicles, such as taxis and buses, from the child restraint requirement. The safety recommendation to use a car seat or booster still applies whenever one can be used.

Verified · JUN 2026

Quick answer · Ohio

A car seat or booster is required until your child is 8 years old or taller than 4'9".

Children under 4 years or under 40 pounds must be in a child safety seat. Children under 8 and under 4 feet 9 inches must be in a booster. From age 8, or once 4 feet 9 inches, a seat belt is legal.

Rear-facing per seat Forward per seat Booster < 8 yr Belt 8+ yr

Ohio Rev. Code § 4511.81 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 8 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 Ohio's legal minimum. Pediatricians recommend keeping a child in each stage longer than the law requires.

Every stage, by the law

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

Ohio 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 8 yr	< 4'9" / 145 cm	—	Ohio Rev. Code § 4511.81
Seat belt	8 yr +	or ≥ 4'9" / 145 cm	—	Ohio Rev. Code § 4511.81
Back seat	Recommended < 13	—	—	Guidance

Rear-facing Guidance

Age: Infant (per seat)

Forward-facing Guidance

Age: Toddler (per seat)

Booster Ohio Rev. Code § 4511.81

Age: until 8 yr
Height: < 4'9" / 145 cm

Seat belt Ohio Rev. Code § 4511.81

Age: 8 yr +
Height: or ≥ 4'9" / 145 cm

Back seat Guidance

Age: Recommended < 13

Frequently asked questions

What is the car seat law in Ohio in 2026?

Children under 4 years or under 40 pounds must be in a child safety seat. Children under 8 and under 4 feet 9 inches must be in a booster. From age 8, or once 4 feet 9 inches tall, a seat belt is legal.

When can my child stop using a booster in Ohio?

Once the child is 8 years old or reaches 4 feet 9 inches. Pediatricians recommend keeping a child in a booster until the seat belt fits, usually around 4 feet 9 inches and ages 8 to 12.

Does Ohio require rear-facing car seats?

Ohio law does not set a rear-facing age. It requires a child under 4 years or under 40 pounds to be in a child safety seat. Pediatricians recommend keeping a child rear-facing as long as the seat allows, well beyond what Ohio law requires.

Are taxis exempt from Ohio's car seat law?

Yes. Ohio exempts certain vehicles, such as taxis and buses, from the child restraint requirement. The safety recommendation to use a car seat or booster still applies whenever one can be used.

Sources

Verified · JUN 2026

Keep exploring

Check your child

Enter age, height, and weight for the exact restraint.

Ohio vs Michigan

See which state is stricter, side by side.

All states

Browse car seat laws for every US state.