What Are Michigan’s Child Passenger Safety Laws?

Vehicle crashes are the #1 cause of death for young children, but you can reduce your child’s risk of death in a crash by 50 percent just by making sure they're properly restrained in the appropriate car seat, booster seat, or seat belt for their age and size.

According to updated child passenger safety laws that took effect April 2, 2025, children must be secured in a car seat that is appropriate for their weight and height as indicated by the car seat’s manufacturer. These updates state:

• Infant to two years: A child must be in a rear-facing car seat until they reach the maximum weight or height allowed by the car seat’s manufacturer or the child is 2 years old.
• Two to five years: The child can then move into a forward-facing car seat until they reach the maximum weight or height allowed by the car seat’s manufacturer or the child is 5 years old.
• Five to eight years: The child can then move to a belt-positioning booster seat using a lap and shoulder belt until they are 4’ 9” or 8 years old.
• All children under thirteen years: Children under the age of 13 must ride in the rear seat of a vehicle if the vehicle has one available.

The Michigan Office of Highway Planning (OHSP) created a flyer outlining the updated child passenger safety laws. This flyer is also available in Arabic and Spanish. Michigan organizations can order copies of the flyer for free by writing “Updated Child Passenger Safety Laws flyer” and the language it’s needed in on the Traffic Safety Materials Catalog online order form or emailing the request to TrafficSafety@michigan.gov.

It is important to protect your kids and other loved ones from extreme heat inside a vehicle. It is NEVER SAFE to leave a child unattended in a vehicle. Always remember to look before you lock!