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Car seat & booster law

Puerto Rico

Verified · AUG 2026

Quick answer · Puerto Rico

A car seat or booster is required until your child is 10 years old or 4'9" tall.

A child under 4 must ride in a child safety seat. A child 4 to 9, or until 4 feet 9 inches (57 in), whichever comes first, must ride in a booster. Every child under 12 must ride in the back seat unless the vehicle has only front seats.

Rear-facing per seat Forward per seat Booster < 10 yr Belt 10+ yr
Ley Núm. 22-2000, Art. 13.03 (9 L.P.R.A. § 5383) Read the statute

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3 yrs

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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
Not specified by law
Booster until
Age 10 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 Puerto Rico’s legal minimum. Puerto Rico’s law is among the stronger ones, requiring a booster through age 9 and back-seat riding through age 11.

Every stage, by the law

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

Rear-facing Guidance
Age
Infant (per seat)
Forward-facing Guidance
Age
Toddler (per seat)
Booster Ley Núm. 22-2000, Art. 13.03 (9 L.P.R.A. § 5383)
Age
until 10 yr
Height
< 4'9" / 145 cm
Seat belt Ley Núm. 22-2000, Art. 13.03 (9 L.P.R.A. § 5383)
Age
10 yr +
Height
or ≥ 4'9" / 145 cm
Back seat / front seat Ley Núm. 22-2000, Art. 13.03 (9 L.P.R.A. § 5383)
Age
under 12 yr

Frequently asked questions

What is the car seat law in Puerto Rico in 2026?
A child under 4 must ride in a child safety seat, a child 4 to 9 (or under 4 feet 9 inches) must ride in a booster, and every child under 12 must ride in the back seat unless the vehicle has only front seats.
Is the Puerto Rico car seat law changing?
No. As of August 1, 2026, when SeatChecker last checked the statute, no enacted change to the Puerto Rico car seat law is scheduled. Current law: A child under 4 must ride in a child safety seat. A child 4 to 9, or until 4 feet 9 inches (57 in), whichever comes first, must ride in a booster. Every child under 12 must ride in the back seat unless the vehicle has only front seats.
When can my child stop using a booster in Puerto Rico?
At age 10, or earlier once the child reaches 4 feet 9 inches (57 inches). Children under 12 must still ride in the back seat.
What age can a child sit in the front seat in Puerto Rico?
In Puerto Rico, the front-seat rule comes from the back-seat law. Unless the vehicle is equipped only with front seats, every child under 12 must ride in the back seat (Art. 13.03). The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends the back seat for all children under 13. That is best practice, not a legal requirement in Puerto Rico.
Are taxis exempt from Puerto Rico's car seat law?
Yes. Puerto Rico exempts taxis and públicos (public cars) from the child restraint requirement. The safety recommendation to use a car seat or booster still applies whenever one can be used.

Sources

Verified · AUG 2026

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