Car seat & booster law

Indiana

Q: Is the Indiana car seat law changing?

No. As of August 1, 2026, when SeatChecker last checked the statute, no enacted change to the Indiana car seat law is scheduled. Current law: A child less than 8 years of age must be properly fastened and restrained in a child restraint system according to the manufacturer's instructions. From age 8 through 16, a seat belt is required.

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

Indiana law sets no minimum age for riding in the front seat. The child restraint rules still apply: a car seat or booster is required until age 8. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends the back seat for all children under 13. That is best practice, not a legal requirement in Indiana.

Q: Does Indiana have a 4'9" booster rule?

No. Indiana releases a child from the child restraint requirement at age 8, with no separate height threshold. Pediatricians still recommend a booster until the seat belt fits, usually around 4 feet 9 inches.

Q: Does Indiana require a rear-facing car seat to a certain age?

No. Indiana law does not set a rear-facing age. The law requires a child under 8 to be in a child restraint system that meets federal standards and is used according to the manufacturer's instructions. Pediatricians recommend keeping a child rear-facing as long as the seat allows.

Q: Are taxis and Uber or Lyft rides exempt from Indiana's car seat law?

No. Indiana does not have a general taxi or rideshare exemption, so the child restraint rules still apply. The only exemption is for a child whom a physician, physician's assistant, or advanced practice registered nurse certifies cannot use a child restraint due to a physical or medical condition.

Verified · AUG 2026

Quick answer · Indiana

A car seat or booster is required until your child is 8 years old.

A child less than 8 years of age must be properly fastened and restrained in a child restraint system according to the manufacturer's instructions. From age 8 through 16, a seat belt is required.

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

Ind. Code § 9-19-11-2 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
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 Indiana's legal minimum, which ends at age 8 with no height rule. Pediatricians recommend a booster until the seat belt actually 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 Indiana.

Indiana 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	—	—	Ind. Code § 9-19-11-2
Seat belt	8 yr +	—	—	Ind. Code § 9-19-11-2
Back seat / front seat	Recommended < 13	—	—	Guidance

Rear-facing Guidance

Age: Infant (per seat)

Forward-facing Guidance

Age: Toddler (per seat)

Booster Ind. Code § 9-19-11-2

Age: until 8 yr

Seat belt Ind. Code § 9-19-11-2

Age: 8 yr +

Back seat / front seat Guidance

Age: Recommended < 13

Frequently asked questions

What is the car seat law in Indiana in 2026?

A child less than 8 years of age must be properly fastened and restrained in a child restraint system according to the manufacturer's instructions. From age 8 through 16, a seat belt is required.

Is the Indiana car seat law changing?

No. As of August 1, 2026, when SeatChecker last checked the statute, no enacted change to the Indiana car seat law is scheduled. Current law: A child less than 8 years of age must be properly fastened and restrained in a child restraint system according to the manufacturer's instructions. From age 8 through 16, a seat belt is required.

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

Indiana law sets no minimum age for riding in the front seat. The child restraint rules still apply: a car seat or booster is required until age 8. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends the back seat for all children under 13. That is best practice, not a legal requirement in Indiana.

Does Indiana have a 4'9" booster rule?

No. Indiana releases a child from the child restraint requirement at age 8, with no separate height threshold. Pediatricians still recommend a booster until the seat belt fits, usually around 4 feet 9 inches.

Does Indiana require a rear-facing car seat to a certain age?

No. Indiana law does not set a rear-facing age. The law requires a child under 8 to be in a child restraint system that meets federal standards and is used according to the manufacturer's instructions. Pediatricians recommend keeping a child rear-facing as long as the seat allows.

Are taxis and Uber or Lyft rides exempt from Indiana's car seat law?

No. Indiana does not have a general taxi or rideshare exemption, so the child restraint rules still apply. The only exemption is for a child whom a physician, physician's assistant, or advanced practice registered nurse certifies cannot use a child restraint due to a physical or medical condition.

Sources

Verified · AUG 2026

How Indiana compares

Where Indiana 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
#51 of 56 · 17 / 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
Set by offense class, not ranked
Back seat laws by state
No back-seat law, not ranked

See all car seat law rankings →

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