Oklahoma Car Seat Laws Explained [2024 Updated]

Car seat laws are put in place so babies, toddlers, and young children can travel safely in a vehicle. When children are properly secured in a car seat, the likelihood of suffering a major injury during a car accident goes down tremendously. Each state has its own laws regarding driving safety, which is why it’s critical that you understand Oklahoma car seat laws to keep you and your family safe from harm.

Oklahoma Car Seat Laws

Car seat requirements are determined by a child’s age, height, and weight. Because of this, infants are required to be in different seats than older children. An overview of Oklahoma’s child car seat laws is as follows:

• Infants, babies, and toddlers under two years old must be in a rear-facing car seat. The seat must be installed according to the manufacturer’s standards.
• Children under four years old must be in a seat with an internal harness.
• Children between the ages of four and eight are required to be in a fitted car seat or booster seat until they reach a height of four feet nine inches.
• Children over the age of eight may ride without a car seat but must wear a seatbelt.

Oklahoma has no back seat laws, so a child may legally ride in the front seat. However, many parents and healthcare professionals will recommend waiting until they are around the age of 13. This is because front seat airbags may hurt smaller children more than they will help them, as they are designed to aid large adults in the event of a crash. It is also recommended that if a child must sit in the front, their seat should be as far away from the dashboard as possible.

Types of Car Seats You Can Use in Oklahoma

There are different types of car seats that a parent or caregiver can purchase to ensure that their child is riding properly.

• Rear-Facing Car Seat. This seat is required for babies under two years old. Rear-facing seats are specifically designed to restrain infants and babies and keep them safe. Your infant will probably be in this seat in the shortest time as they typically grow out of them quite fast.
• Forward-Facing Car Seat. Once the baby grows out of the rear-facing car seat, they can move on to the forward-facing car seat. These seats have a five-point internal harness system to keep them secure. Some seats that can be purchased are convertible, so it will be like a two-in-one, where the rear-facing seat can convert into a front-facing one.
• Booster Seat. This seat should be used until the child is eight years old or at least four feet nine inches. This is when they will be able to wear a seat belt properly. Some seats are all-in-one, where a child can have all three seats available in one seat. It will have all three required conversions in one.

Car Seat Assistance

Installing a car seat can be a challenge for those who have never done so before. The state of Oklahoma has resources available for people to learn how to install their seats correctly. There are numerous safety stations around the city that will assist you and show you how to install a car seat into your vehicle. Many health departments and fire departments can do this as well.

Additionally, the state makes it so that those who have limited financial means do not have to go without a car seat. Those who receive WIC (Women, Infant, and Children benefits) and those who are members of SoonerCare can receive car seats or booster seats for free. If you contact a safety station near you, they can provide you with more information. You can also contact an attorney for more information.

Penalties for Breaking Oklahoma Car Seat Laws

Improperly securing a child in a car seat can result in fines of up to $208. However, it is unlikely that you will get points on your license. You should also note that your insurance may increase if you receive a ticket for having a child in their car seat improperly. Many car insurance companies raise rates for traffic violations, including breaking car seat laws. However, the most drastic penalty for improperly securing a child is the potential injury that can occur.

FAQs

Q: At What Age and Height Can You Stop Using a Car Seat in Oklahoma?

A: A child may stop being placed in a car seat at eight years old or when they are taller than 57 inches. Once they reach this milestone, they may ride in the car without a car seat or booster seat. At this age and height, they are able to wear a seatbelt properly. Keep in mind that the law still requires them to wear a seat belt even if they are not in a car seat.

Q: Can a 4-Year-Old Use a Backless Booster Seat?

A: A four-year-old can use a backless booster seat. However, you will want to pay attention to the height and weight requirements on their front-facing car seat to see if they have exceeded those requirements. If a child is fairly small, you will want to wait until they surpass the manufacturer’s requirements before transitioning them to a backless booster seat.

Q: Can I Put My Three-year-old in a Booster Seat?

A: In Oklahoma, the age to legally transition to a booster seat is four years old, so your three-year-old should still be in a front-facing car seat. Even children who rank in the higher percentiles for height do not need to transition to a booster seat until at least four years old.

Q: What Is the Seat Belt Statute in Oklahoma?

A: Oklahoma law requires drivers and passengers to wear seat belts. A driver can be pulled over for not wearing a seatbelt and can be expected to pay a fine for not doing so. For children, any child under eight years old is required to be secured in a restraint system in the back seat of a car.

Contact 222 Injury Lawyers Today

A properly secured car seat could save a child’s life in the event of an accident. Oklahoma’s car seat laws are designed to keep children safe while driving. If you are looking to learn more about car seat laws or were involved in an accident in Oklahoma, contact our firm today.