Child Passenger Safety

Kansas law requires children ages 4 to 7 to be secured in a booster seat.
4 Steps for Kids Logo
4 Steps for Kids
Children Under 1
Your child under age 1 should always ride in a rear-facing car seat. There are different types of rear-facing car seats: Infant-only seats can only be used rear-facing.
Step 1 - Infant Logo
Convertible and 3-in-1 car seats typically have higher height and weight limits for the rear-facing position, allowing you to keep your child rear-facing for a longer period of time.
Children Ages 1, 2 & 3
Keep your child rear-facing as long as possible. It's the best way to keep him or her safe. Your child should remain in a rear-facing car seat until he or she reaches the top height or weight limit allowed by your car seat's manufacturer. Once your child outgrows the rear-facing car seat, your child is ready to travel in a forward-facing car seat with a harness.
Step 2 - Toddler Logo
Children Ages 4 - 7
All children ages 4, 5, 6, and 7 are required to ride in a booster seat unless:
  • The child weighs more than 80 pounds
  • The child is taller than 4 feet 9 inches
  • Only a lap belt is available
Step 3 - Booster Logo
Children who meet the above height and weight criteria must be protected by a seat belt.

Keep your child in a forward-facing car seat with a harness until he or she reaches the top height or weight limit allowed by your car seat's manufacturer. Once your child outgrows the forward-facing car seat with a harness, it's time to travel in a booster seat, but still in the back seat.

Children Ages 8 - 13


Children ages 8 to 13 must be protected by a seat belt. Keep your child in a booster seat until he or she is big enough to fit in a seat belt properly. For a seat belt to fit properly the lap belt must lie snugly across the upper thighs, not the stomach. The shoulder belt should lie snugly across the shoulder and chest and not cross the neck or face.
Step 4 - Seat Belt Logo
Remember: Your child should still ride in the back seat because it's safer there.

Teenagers Ages 14 - 18


Teenagers ages 14 to 18 must be protected by a seat belt.
Primary law: Occupants of a passenger car 14 years of age but younger than 18 can be cited for not wearing a seatbelt without being cited for another violation.

Consequences of the Violation


Violation of the Child Passenger Safety Act is a misdemeanor and requires a mandatory court date in addition to a fine of $60 and court costs.

  • Troopers began issuing warnings for violations of the booster seat provision of the Child Passenger Safety Act on July 1, 2006.
  • Troopers began issuing citations for violations of the booster seat provision of the Child Passenger Safety Act on July 1, 2007.
  • The $60 fine will be waived if proof is provided to the court that an appropriate child safety seat has been acquired. Court costs still apply.