Ask a Trooper – Children in the Back Seat

Question: I heard something about kids needing to ride in the back seat if possible. What is the age on that?

Answer: Back on August 1, 2024 there were new car seat guidelines put in place along with this. The back seat is the safest place in most vehicles. Children under 13 must ride in the back if it is available.

• Children under 2 years of age must ride in a rear-facing car seat until they reach the weight or height limit of the car seat. If they are too heavy or too tall for the car seat, they must switch to a front-facing car seat. Once they turn 2 years old, if they are under both the height and weight limits, they must stay in the rear-facing car seat until they are too tall or heavy for the seat.
• Children older than 2 who exceed the rear-facing height or weight limit of the car seat must sit in a forward-facing car seat until they reach the height or weight limit (typically 40-60 pounds, depending on the manufacturer).
• A child from 4 to 9 years old must use a booster seat and be secured with a safety belt if they are too tall or too heavy for the car seat.
• When a child is 9 years old, or they exceed the weight or height limit of the booster seat, they must sit without the booster and be secured with a seat belt.

You can avoid a ticket — and a crash — if you simply buckle up, drive at safe speeds, pay attention and always drive sober.  Help us drive Minnesota Toward Zero Deaths.

If you have any questions concerning traffic related laws or issues in Minnesota send your questions to Sgt. Troy Christianson – Minnesota State Patrol at 2900 48th Street NW, Rochester MN 55901-5848.  You can also email him at:  Troy.Christianson@state.mn.us.