Changes to Child Safety Seat Restraint Law

Here is a summary of the changes in the child restraint law in Tennessee that went into effect on July 1, 2004:

Children under 1 year of age or weighing less than 20 pounds need to be in a backward-facing child-passenger restraint system in the rear seat, if the car has one.

• Children 1-3 and weighing 20 pounds or more would have to be in a forward-facing car seat in the back seat.
• Children 4-8 and less than 5 feet tall would have to be in a booster seat that lifts them to the right height for the car seat belts in the back seat, if the car has one.
• Children 9-12 and 5 feet tall or taller must use a seat belt, preferably in the back seat.
• Children 13-15 and at least 5 feet tall can use a seat belt anywhere in the car.

If you would like to have your seat inspected to ensure it is properly installed, come by the 911 Center and we will ask an officer to check it for you