At What Age Can Kids Sit in the Front Seat of a Car in Florida?

James D. Payer | December 14, 2024 | Car Accidents

Florida does not have a specific law requiring children to remain in the back seat of a vehicle until they reach a certain age. Therefore, a child can sit in the front seat at any age. However, child seat laws require children under six years of age to be secured with a child restraint device.

Is It Safe for Children to Ride in the Front Seat of a Vehicle?

According to the Centers for Disease Control, more than 106,000 children under 12 years old were injured in automobile accidents in 2022. An additional 599 child passengers were killed in accidents.

Motor vehicle accidents are among the leading causes of death for children in the United States. In response, many states have enacted laws restricting where a child may sit in a vehicle and the type of child restraint parents may use.

While Florida does not prohibit children from sitting in the front seat, numerous sources, including the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), recommend that children under 13 remain in the back seat. 

Overview of Florida’s Car Seat Laws

Florida child restraint requirements require children five years of age and under to be seated in a child restraint device approved for their age. Children need to be in a separate carrier or an integrated child seat in the vehicle through age three. Children between the ages of four and five must ride in an integrated child seat, a separate carrier, or a child booster seat.

Florida’s seat belt law requires anyone riding in the front seat, including the driver, to wear a seat belt. All passengers under 18 must also wear a seat belt, even when riding in the back seat.

Recommendations for Child Car Seats

The AAP and the NHTSA also recommend leaving a child in a rear-facing car seat until they outgrow it. The same applies to a front-facing car seat.

Other recommendations for car seats are:

Rear-Facing Child Seat

Children up to one year of age should sit in a rear-facing car seat. However, parents can leave their children in a rear-facing car until they reach the maximum height and weight restrictions provided by the manufacturer. Some children may remain in a car seat facing the rear of the seat through age two or three.

Forward Facing Child Seat

When a child exceeds the weight and height restrictions for a rear-facing car seat, they should transition to a forward-facing car seat. Parents should leave their children in a forward-facing car seat until they exceed the manufacturer’s height and weight restrictions. Some children may remain in a car seat through ages six or seven.

Booster Seat

When a child does not meet a car seat’s weight or height restrictions, you can transition them to a booster seat with a seat belt. A child between 8 and 12 years old is ready to transition out of a booster seat and use the seat belt correctly, including the shoulder strap. Parents must ensure the seat belt fits correctly over the child’s upper thighs, shoulder, and chest.

Proper Installation of Car Seats Protect Children

A car seat must be installed correctly to protect a child in a collision. However, roughly half of car seats are installed incorrectly. Common car seat problems include:

• Improper lap belt position when using a booster seat
• Loose installation
• Harness placed behind a child’s legs, arms, or back in a forward-facing child seat
• Failing to tighten harnesses
• Improper shoulder belt position in a booster seat
• Incorrect recline angle of a rear-facing car seat

The best way to ensure your child’s car seat is installed and used correctly is to schedule an inspection and checkup. Parents can find car seat inspection and checkup locations through Safe Kids Orange County, FL or schedule an appointment for a free car seat inspection through the Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children.

What Should I Do if My Child Is Injured in a Car Accident in Orlando, FL?

Report the accident by calling 911 and seek immediate medical treatment for your child. A car accident injury could result in permanent impairments and life-long disabilities for children. Your child may be entitled to compensation for their economic and non-economic damages from the driver who caused the car accident. 

Contact Our Orlando Car Accident Law Firm For Help Today

If you’ve been injured in an accident in Orlando, Florida, and need legal help, contact our experienced car accident lawyers at Payer Law Personal Injury Lawyers to schedule a free consultation today.

We proudly serve Orange County and its surrounding areas: