Car seat & booster law

Georgia

Q: Is the Georgia car seat law changing?

No. As of August 1, 2026, when SeatChecker last checked the statute, no enacted change to the Georgia car seat law is scheduled. Current law: Children under 8 whose height is under 4 feet 9 inches must be in a car seat or booster and must ride in the back seat where one is available. From age 8, or once 4 feet 9 inches, a seat belt is legal.

Q: What is the fine for a car seat violation in Georgia?

Up to $50 and one point on the license per improperly restrained child for a first offense. A second offense may double the fine and points.

Q: When can my child stop using a booster seat in Georgia?

A child can legally stop using a booster at age 8, or once they are taller than 4 feet 9 inches (57 inches), whichever comes first. After that, a regular seat belt is legal. Pediatricians recommend keeping a child in a booster until the seat belt fits properly, which is often closer to 4 feet 9 inches regardless of age.

Q: What age can a child sit in the front seat in Georgia?

In Georgia, the front-seat rule comes from the back-seat law. Children under 8 whose height is under 4 feet 9 inches must ride in the back seat. A child may ride in front only if there is no back seat, the back seats are occupied by other restrained children, and the child weighs at least 40 pounds in a proper restraint. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends the back seat for all children under 13. That is best practice, not a legal requirement in Georgia.

Verified · AUG 2026

Quick answer · Georgia

A car seat or booster is required until your child is 8 years old or 4'9" tall.

Children under 8 whose height is under 4 feet 9 inches must be in a car seat or booster and must ride in the back seat where one is available. From age 8, or once 4 feet 9 inches, a seat belt is legal.

Rear-facing per seat Forward per seat Booster < 8 yr Belt 8+ yr

O.C.G.A. § 40-8-76 Read the statute

Car seat law checker

The legally required restraint, by state.

General information, not legal advice.

SeatChecker

Required vs recommended

What the law enforces, and what pediatricians advise. They are not the same.

The law requires

Minimum, or it's enforceable

Rear-facing until: Not specified by law
Booster until: Age 8 or 4'9"
Front seat: Back seat under 8

Pediatricians recommend

AAP: safer, not the law

Rear-facing until: To seat limit (often age 2+)
Booster until: 4'9", typically age 8 to 12
Front seat: Back seat until 13

AAP guidance is a safety best practice and is separate from Georgia's legal minimum. Pediatricians recommend keeping a child in each stage longer than the law requires.

Every stage, by the law

Dual units shown throughout (in + cm, lb + kg). Rows marked Guidance are best practice, not a statutory requirement in Georgia.

Georgia car seat law requirements by restraint stage, age, height, weight, and statutory citation.
Stage	Age	Height	Weight	Citation
Rear-facing	Infant (per seat)	—	—	Guidance
Forward-facing	Toddler (per seat)	—	—	Guidance
Booster	until 8 yr	< 4'9" / 145 cm	—	O.C.G.A. § 40-8-76
Seat belt	8 yr +	or ≥ 4'9" / 145 cm	—	O.C.G.A. § 40-8-76
Back seat / front seat	under 8 yr	—	—	O.C.G.A. § 40-8-76

Rear-facing Guidance

Age: Infant (per seat)

Forward-facing Guidance

Age: Toddler (per seat)

Booster O.C.G.A. § 40-8-76

Age: until 8 yr
Height: < 4'9" / 145 cm

Seat belt O.C.G.A. § 40-8-76

Age: 8 yr +
Height: or ≥ 4'9" / 145 cm

Back seat / front seat O.C.G.A. § 40-8-76

Age: under 8 yr

Frequently asked questions

What is the car seat law in Georgia in 2026?

Is the Georgia car seat law changing?

No. As of August 1, 2026, when SeatChecker last checked the statute, no enacted change to the Georgia car seat law is scheduled. Current law: Children under 8 whose height is under 4 feet 9 inches must be in a car seat or booster and must ride in the back seat where one is available. From age 8, or once 4 feet 9 inches, a seat belt is legal.

What is the fine for a car seat violation in Georgia?

Up to $50 and one point on the license per improperly restrained child for a first offense. A second offense may double the fine and points.

When can my child stop using a booster seat in Georgia?

A child can legally stop using a booster at age 8, or once they are taller than 4 feet 9 inches (57 inches), whichever comes first. After that, a regular seat belt is legal. Pediatricians recommend keeping a child in a booster until the seat belt fits properly, which is often closer to 4 feet 9 inches regardless of age.

What age can a child sit in the front seat in Georgia?

In Georgia, the front-seat rule comes from the back-seat law. Children under 8 whose height is under 4 feet 9 inches must ride in the back seat. A child may ride in front only if there is no back seat, the back seats are occupied by other restrained children, and the child weighs at least 40 pounds in a proper restraint. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends the back seat for all children under 13. That is best practice, not a legal requirement in Georgia.

Sources

Verified · AUG 2026

How Georgia compares

Where Georgia ranks among all 50 states, DC, and the US territories on each measure. Rankings compare legal minimums only and are not safety ratings.

Strictest car seat laws by state
#20 of 56, tied · 56 / 100
Rear-facing car seat laws by state
No statutory age, not ranked
Booster seat laws by state
#10 of 52, tied · Age 8
Car seat fines by state
#11 of 28, tied · $50
Back seat laws by state
#11 of 21, tied · Age 8

See all car seat law rankings →

Keep exploring

Check your child

Enter age, height, and weight for the exact restraint.

Georgia vs Alabama

See which state is stricter, side by side.

Georgia vs Florida

See which state is stricter, side by side.

Georgia vs North Carolina

See which state is stricter, side by side.

All states

Browse car seat laws for every US state.