Skip to content
SeatChecker.org

Car seat & booster law

Idaho

Verified · AUG 2026

Quick 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.

Rear-facing per seat Forward per seat Booster < 7 yr Belt 7+ yr
Idaho Code § 49-672 Read the statute

Car seat law checker

The legally required restraint, by state.

3 yrs

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 7
Front seat
No age set in law

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 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.

Rear-facing Guidance
Age
Infant (per seat)
Forward-facing Guidance
Age
Toddler (per seat)
Booster Idaho Code § 49-672
Age
until 7 yr
Seat belt Idaho Code § 49-672
Age
7 yr +
Back seat / front seat Guidance
Age
Recommended < 13

Frequently asked questions

What is the car seat law in Idaho in 2026?
A child 6 years of age or younger must be in a federally approved child safety restraint. From age 7, a seat belt is allowed.
Is the Idaho car seat law changing?
No. As of August 1, 2026, when SeatChecker last checked the statute, no enacted change to the Idaho car seat law is scheduled. Current law: 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.
What age can a child sit in the front seat in Idaho?
Idaho law sets no minimum age for riding in the front seat. Idaho law does not require children to ride in the back seat, but if all safety belts are in use, an unrestrained child covered by this section must be placed in the rear seat if available. The child restraint rules still apply: a car seat or booster is required until age 7. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends the back seat for all children under 13. That is best practice, not a legal requirement in Idaho.
Does Idaho require booster seats to 4'9" or age 8?
No. Idaho's child restraint requirement ends after age 6, with no 4 foot 9 inch rule. Pediatricians still recommend a booster until the seat belt fits, usually around 4 feet 9 inches and ages 8 to 12.
Does Idaho require rear-facing car seats by age?
No. Idaho law does not set a rear-facing age. The child safety restraint just has to meet federal standards. Pediatricians still recommend keeping a child rear-facing as long as the seat allows.
Do Uber, Lyft, and taxis have to follow Idaho's car seat law?
Idaho's child restraint requirement applies to noncommercial vehicles, and there is no general taxi or rideshare exemption from the child seat rules. Plan to bring your own car seat when riding with a young child.

Sources

Verified · AUG 2026

How Idaho compares

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

See all car seat law rankings →

Keep exploring

Check your child

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

Idaho vs Oregon

See which state is stricter, side by side.

Idaho vs Utah

See which state is stricter, side by side.

All states

Browse car seat laws for every US state.