Car seat & booster law

Oregon

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

Once the child is 8 years old or taller than 4 feet 9 inches. Pediatricians recommend keeping a child in a booster until the seat belt fits properly.

Q: Does Oregon require rear-facing car seats, and until what age?

Yes. In Oregon a child under 2 must ride rear-facing, and a child who weighs 40 pounds or less must be in a child seat. Pediatricians recommend keeping a child rear-facing as long as the seat allows, up to the manufacturer's limit.

Q: Do children have to ride in the back seat in Oregon?

No. Oregon does not require children to ride in the back seat. The American Academy of Pediatrics still recommends the back seat as the safest place for every child under 13, but it is a safety best practice and not a legal requirement in Oregon.

Verified · JUN 2026

Quick answer · Oregon

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

Children under 2 must ride rear-facing. Children 40 pounds or less must be in a child seat. Children over 40 pounds must use a booster until they reach age 8 or 4 feet 9 inches, when a seat belt is allowed.

Rear-facing < 2 yr Forward per seat Booster < 8 yr Belt 8+ yr

Or. Rev. Stat. § 811.210 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: Age 2
Booster until: Age 8 or 4'9"
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 Oregon'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 Oregon.

Oregon car seat law requirements by restraint stage, age, height, weight, and statutory citation.
Stage	Age	Height	Weight	Citation
Rear-facing	Birth – 2 yr	—	—	Or. Rev. Stat. § 811.210
Forward-facing	Toddler (per seat)	—	—	Guidance
Booster	until 8 yr	< 4'9" / 145 cm	—	Or. Rev. Stat. § 811.210
Seat belt	8 yr +	or ≥ 4'9" / 145 cm	—	Or. Rev. Stat. § 811.210
Back seat	Recommended < 13	—	—	Guidance

Rear-facing Or. Rev. Stat. § 811.210

Age: Birth – 2 yr

Forward-facing Guidance

Age: Toddler (per seat)

Booster Or. Rev. Stat. § 811.210

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

Seat belt Or. Rev. Stat. § 811.210

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

Back seat Guidance

Age: Recommended < 13

Frequently asked questions

What is the car seat law in Oregon in 2026?

When can my child stop using a booster in Oregon?

Once the child is 8 years old or taller than 4 feet 9 inches. Pediatricians recommend keeping a child in a booster until the seat belt fits properly.

Does Oregon require rear-facing car seats, and until what age?

Yes. In Oregon a child under 2 must ride rear-facing, and a child who weighs 40 pounds or less must be in a child seat. Pediatricians recommend keeping a child rear-facing as long as the seat allows, up to the manufacturer's limit.

Do children have to ride in the back seat in Oregon?

No. Oregon does not require children to ride in the back seat. The American Academy of Pediatrics still recommends the back seat as the safest place for every child under 13, but it is a safety best practice and not a legal requirement in Oregon.

Sources

Verified · JUN 2026

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