In several states of the US, children of or below a certain age must (or should be, if possible) in the back seat of a car or vehicle:
- California: Children 5 and under, or less than 60 pounds weight, must be in the back seat (no exceptions).
- Delaware: Children 11 and under and 65 inches or less tall must be in the backseat if the passenger airbag is active (if unactive, then they may use the front seat).
- Georgia: Children 5 and under must be in the back seat if possible. They may use the front seat if there is no other seat available.
- Maine: Children 11 and under and less than 100 pounds weight must be in the backseat if possible. They may use the front seat if there is no other seat available.
- Michigan: Children 3 and under must be in the back seat if possible. They may use the front seat if there is no other seat available.
- New Jersey: Children 7 and under and less than 80 pounds weight must be in the backseat if possible. They may use the front seat if there is no other seat available.
- New Mexico: Children 1 and under in a rear-facing infant seat must be in the back seat if possible. They may use the front seat if there is no other seat available.
- North Carolina: Children 4 and under and less than 40 pounds weight must be in the backseat, unless the passenger airbag is unactive or if their restraint is designed for use with airbags.
- Rhode Island: Children 7 and under must be in the back seat if possible. They may use the front seat if there is no other seat available.
- South Carolina: Children 5 and under must be in the back seat if possible. They may use the front seat if there is no other seat available.
- Tennessee: Children 8 and under and less than 4'9" tall must be in the back seat if possible. They may use the front seat if there is no other seat available. This standard is also recommended - but not required - for children aged 9 to 12.
- Vermont: Children 1 and under, or less than 20 pounds weight, must be in the back seat, unless the passenger airbag is unactive.
- Virginia: Any children in a rear-facing infant/toddler seat must be in the back seat if possible. They may use the front seat if there is no other seat available and the passenger airbag is unactive.
- Washington: Children 12 and under must be in the back seat "if practical" (i.e. if they can fit in back then they should).
- Wisconsin: Children 3 and under must be in the back seat if possible. They may use the front seat if there is no other seat available.
- Wyoming: Children 8 and under must be in the back seat if possibleThey may use the front seat if there is no other seat available.
In the UK, there are several laws depending on the age of the child and/or height:
- Children 3 and under must use the correct child restraint. A rear-facing infant seat cannot be used in the front seat "[which is] protected by an active frontal airbag" i.e. the airbag must be unactive, or nonexistent.
- Children between 3 and 12 years old, and shorter than 1.35 metres, must use the correct child restraint.
- Children 12 and older, or more than 1.35 metres tall, must use the adult seat belt. Below 14 years old, it is the driver's responsibility to check this; 14 and older, it is the individual's responsibility.
In Canada, laws vary between the provinces and territories.
In most other countries, laws are generally based on whether the child is of a certain age, if they have a child seat (and the direction it faces) and whether there is an airbag present. See your government's website or visit a public law advisor for more information.
