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Car seat & booster law

West Virginia

Verified · AUG 2026

Quick answer · West Virginia

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

A child under 8 must be in a child passenger safety device, unless the child is at least 4 feet 9 inches tall, in which case a seat belt is sufficient.

Rear-facing per seat Forward per seat Booster < 8 yr Belt 8+ yr
W. Va. Code § 17C-15-46 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
Not specified by law
Booster until
Age 8 or 4'9"
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 West Virginia'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 West Virginia.

Rear-facing Guidance
Age
Infant (per seat)
Forward-facing Guidance
Age
Toddler (per seat)
Booster W. Va. Code § 17C-15-46
Age
until 8 yr
Height
< 4'9" / 145 cm
Seat belt W. Va. Code § 17C-15-46
Age
8 yr +
Height
or ≥ 4'9" / 145 cm
Back seat / front seat Guidance
Age
Recommended < 13

Frequently asked questions

What is the car seat law in West Virginia in 2026?
A child under 8 must be in a child passenger safety device, unless the child is at least 4 feet 9 inches tall, in which case a seat belt is sufficient.
Is the West Virginia car seat law changing?
No. As of August 1, 2026, when SeatChecker last checked the statute, no enacted change to the West Virginia car seat law is scheduled. Current law: A child under 8 must be in a child passenger safety device, unless the child is at least 4 feet 9 inches tall, in which case a seat belt is sufficient.
What age can a child sit in the front seat in West Virginia?
West Virginia 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 or 4'9". The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends the back seat for all children under 13. That is best practice, not a legal requirement in West Virginia.
What is the fine for a car seat violation in West Virginia?
A violation carries a fine of not less than $10 and not more than $20.
Does West Virginia require rear-facing car seats?
West Virginia law does not set a rear-facing age. It requires a child under 8 to be in a child passenger safety device unless the child is at least 4 feet 9 inches tall. Pediatricians recommend keeping a child rear-facing as long as the seat allows.
When can my child stop using a booster in West Virginia?
A child can stop using a child safety device at age 8, or once the child is at least 4 feet 9 inches (about 57 inches) tall, whichever comes first. Pediatricians recommend a booster until the seat belt fits properly.

Sources

Verified · AUG 2026

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