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Car seat & booster law

Washington

Verified · AUG 2026

Quick answer · Washington

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

Children under 2 must ride rear-facing. Children under 4 must be in a forward-facing seat with a harness. Children under 4 feet 9 inches must be in a booster. Children under 13 must ride in the back seat where practical.

Rear-facing < 2 yr Forward 2+ yr Booster Belt
RCW 46.61.687 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
4'9"
Front seat
Back seat under 13

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 Washington's legal minimum. Washington's law already tracks the recommendations closely, including back seat use through age 13.

Every stage, by the law

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

Rear-facing RCW 46.61.687
Age
Birth – 2 yr
Forward-facing RCW 46.61.687
Age
2 yr – 8 yr
Booster Guidance
Age
—
Height
< 4'9" / 145 cm
Seat belt Guidance
Age
—
Height
or ≥ 4'9" / 145 cm
Back seat / front seat RCW 46.61.687
Age
under 13 yr

Frequently asked questions

What is the car seat law in Washington in 2026?
Children under 2 must ride rear-facing. Children under 4 must be in a forward-facing seat with a harness. Children under 4 feet 9 inches must be in a booster, and children under 13 must ride in the back seat where practical.
Is the Washington car seat law changing?
No. As of August 1, 2026, when SeatChecker last checked the statute, no enacted change to the Washington car seat law is scheduled. Current law: Children under 2 must ride rear-facing. Children under 4 must be in a forward-facing seat with a harness. Children under 4 feet 9 inches must be in a booster. Children under 13 must ride in the back seat where practical.
When can my child stop using a booster in Washington?
When the child reaches 4 feet 9 inches and the seat belt fits properly. Washington's booster requirement is based on height, not a set age.
Does Washington require rear-facing car seats, and until what age?
Yes. In Washington a child under 2 must ride rear-facing, and a child under 4 must be in a forward-facing seat with a harness. Pediatricians recommend keeping a child rear-facing as long as the seat allows.
What age can a child sit in the front seat in Washington?
In Washington, the front-seat rule comes from the back-seat law. A child under 13 must be transported in the back seat where it is practical to do so. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends the back seat for all children under 13.

Sources

Verified · AUG 2026

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