What are Maryland’s Child Passenger Safety Laws?
Transportation Article 22-412.2 (Child Safety Seats)
- A person transporting a child under the age of 8 years in a motor vehicle shall secure the child in a federally-approved child safety seat* in accordance with the child safety seat and vehicle manufacturers’ instructions unless the child: is 4 feet, 9 inches tall or taller; or weighs more than 65 pounds.
- A person may not transport a child under the age of 16 years unless the child is secured in: a child safety seat* or a seat belt in all seating positions in all vehicles.
- It is the driver’s responsibility for making sure all children are correctly buckled up.
[*Child safety seat includes infant seats, convertible seats, forward-facing seats, booster seats, or other safety devices federally approved to restrain, seat, or position a child who is transported in a motor vehicle.]
If you are in need of a child safety seat, contact Kids In Safety Seats at 800-370-SEAT (7328) or e-mail to kiss@dhmh.state.md.us for a referral to a local car seat loaner program.
Transportation Article 22-1121 (Children in Rear of Pick-up Trucks)
A child younger than 16 years may not ride in the bed of an unenclosed pick-up truck.
**Please note: Some jurisdictions have local Ordinances which prohibit anyone from riding in the bed of an unenclosed pickup truck. If you have questions, contact your county or local police department.
Does Maryland Law prohibit children from riding in the front seat?
Maryland ’s child passenger safety laws do not prohibit children from riding in the front seat. The exception is placing a rear-facing child in the front seat with an active air bag. If a driver is unable to turn off an air bag, it is a violation of law (as well as a terrible danger to the baby!) to place a rear-facing child in the front seat.
Click here for more information on the dangers of air bags.
Watch a video clip, using crash test dummies to demonstrate what happens to a child safety seat in the front seat with activated passenger airbag.. (requires tools such as Windows Media Player to view)
**Please note: KISS and other child passenger safety experts strongly recommended all children under age 13 ride in the back seat. Research conducted and published in a report by Partners for Child Passenger Safety clearly shows that children are 40% less likely to be seriously injured when properly restrained in the back seat. For more information on safe seating positions, click here to view the report.
When I travel with my child to other states, how can I find out about the laws?
Most states require that motorists follow all laws for that state. For a summary of child passenger safety laws in other states, click on a link below.
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