Car seat & booster law
Wisconsin
Verified · JUN 2026Quick answer · Wisconsin
A car seat or booster is required until your child is 8 years old or taller than 4'9".
Children under 1 (or under 20 pounds) must ride rear-facing. Children 1 to 3 (20 to 40 pounds) must be in a forward-facing harness. Children 4 to 7 (40 to 80 pounds and under 57 inches) must be in a booster.
Car seat law checker
The legally required restraint, by state.
General information, not legal advice.
SeatCheckerRequired 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 1
- 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 Wisconsin's legal minimum. Pediatricians recommend rear-facing well past age 1 and a booster until the seat belt fits.
Every stage, by the law
Dual units shown throughout (in + cm, lb + kg). Rows marked Guidance are best practice, not a statutory requirement in Wisconsin.
| Stage | Age | Height | Weight | Citation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rear-facing | Birth – 1 yr | — | — | Wis. Stat. § 347.48(4) |
| Forward-facing | 1 yr – 8 yr | — | — | Wis. Stat. § 347.48(4) |
| Booster | until 8 yr | < 4'9" / 145 cm | — | Wis. Stat. § 347.48(4) |
| Seat belt | 8 yr + | or ≥ 4'9" / 145 cm | — | Wis. Stat. § 347.48(4) |
| Back seat | Recommended < 13 | — | — | Guidance |
- Age
- Birth – 1 yr
- Age
- 1 yr – 8 yr
- Age
- until 8 yr
- Height
- < 4'9" / 145 cm
- Age
- 8 yr +
- Height
- or ≥ 4'9" / 145 cm
- Age
- Recommended < 13