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Car seat & booster law

Maine

Verified · OCT 2026

Quick answer · Maine

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

Children under 2 ride rear-facing; then in a harness; then in a booster until age 8, 80 pounds, or 57 inches. Children under 12 must ride in the rear seat if possible.

Rear-facing < 2 yr Forward 2+ yr Booster < 8 yr Belt 8+ yr
29-A M.R.S. § 2081 Read the statute

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The legally required restraint, by state.

3 yrs

General information, not legal advice.

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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
Age 2
Booster until
Age 8 or 4'9"
Front seat
Back seat under 12

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 Maine's legal minimum. Maine already requires the rear seat through age 11 and a staged progression that tracks the recommendations closely.

Every stage, by the law

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

Rear-facing 29-A M.R.S. § 2081
Age
Birth – 2 yr
Forward-facing 29-A M.R.S. § 2081
Age
2 yr – 8 yr
Booster 29-A M.R.S. § 2081
Age
until 8 yr
Height
< 4'9" / 145 cm
Weight
< 80 lb / 36 kg
Seat belt 29-A M.R.S. § 2081
Age
8 yr +
Height
or ≥ 4'9" / 145 cm
Weight
or ≥ 80 lb / 36 kg
Back seat / front seat 29-A M.R.S. § 2081
Age
under 12 yr

Frequently asked questions

What is the car seat law in Maine in 2026?
Children under 2 ride rear-facing, then in a harness, then in a booster until age 8, 80 pounds, or 57 inches. Children under 12 must ride in the rear seat if possible.
Is the Maine car seat law changing?
No. As of October 6, 2026, when SeatChecker last checked the statute, no enacted change to the Maine car seat law is scheduled. Current law: Children under 2 ride rear-facing; then in a harness; then in a booster until age 8, 80 pounds, or 57 inches. Children under 12 must ride in the rear seat if possible.
What age can a child sit in the front seat in Maine?
In Maine, the front-seat rule comes from the back-seat law. A child under 12 years of age must be secured in the rear seat of a vehicle, if possible. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends the back seat for all children under 13. That is best practice, not a legal requirement in Maine.
When can my child stop using a booster in Maine?
Once the child is 8 years old, weighs 80 pounds or more, or is 57 inches or taller. Pediatricians recommend keeping a child in a booster until the seat belt actually fits.
Until what age does a child have to ride rear-facing in Maine?
A child under 2 years old must ride in a rear-facing or convertible child restraint secured in the rear-facing position. After age 2, a child can move to a forward-facing seat with a harness.
What is the fine for a car seat violation in Maine?
The fine is $50 for a first offense, $125 for a second offense, and $250 for a third or subsequent offense. The court may not suspend the fine.

Sources

Verified · OCT 2026

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