Car seat & booster law
Idaho
Verified · JUN 2026Quick answer · Idaho
A car seat or booster is required until your child is 7 years old.
A child 6 years of age or younger must be secured in a child safety restraint that meets federal standards. From age 7, a seat belt is allowed. Idaho sets no height, weight, or 4 feet 9 inch rule.
Car seat law checker
The legally required restraint, by state.
General information, not legal advice.
SeatCheckerRequired 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 7
- Back seat
- Not required
Pediatricians recommend
AAP — safer, not the law
- Rear-facing until
- To seat limit (often age 2+)
- Booster until
- 4'9" — typically age 8–12
- Back seat
- Until age 13
AAP guidance is a safety best practice and is separate from Idaho's legal minimum, which ends at age 6 with no height rule. Pediatricians recommend a booster until the seat belt fits, often around 4 feet 9 inches.
Every stage, by the law
Dual units shown throughout (in + cm, lb + kg). Rows marked Guidance are best practice, not a statutory requirement in Idaho.
| Stage | Age | Height | Weight | Citation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rear-facing | Infant (per seat) | — | — | Guidance |
| Forward-facing | Toddler (per seat) | — | — | Guidance |
| Booster | until 7 yr | — | — | Idaho Code § 49-672 |
| Seat belt | 7 yr + | — | — | Idaho Code § 49-672 |
| Back seat | Recommended < 13 | — | — | Guidance |
- Age
- Infant (per seat)
- Age
- Toddler (per seat)
- Age
- until 7 yr
- Age
- 7 yr +
- Age
- Recommended < 13