Child Passenger Safety Laws in Indiana

1. What is the minimum age required for children to ride in a booster seat in Indiana?


The minimum age required for children to ride in a booster seat in Indiana is 4 years old.

2. Does Indiana require children to be in rear-facing car seats until a certain age?


Yes, Indiana requires children under the age of two to be in rear-facing car seats.

3. What type of car seat is required for newborns and infants in Indiana?


In Indiana, all children under the age of 2 must be secured in a rear-facing child safety seat.

4. Does Indiana have a law requiring children to ride in the back seat of a vehicle?


Yes, Indiana does have a law requiring children to ride in the back seat of a vehicle. The law states that children younger than 8 years old must be in a child safety seat or booster seat and must be secured in the back seat.

5. How many passengers does Indiana permit to ride in the back seat with a child who is using a safety seat?


Indiana permits up to three passengers (including the child) in the back seat with a child who is using a safety seat.

6. Does Indiana have any restrictions regarding the use of cell phones by drivers with passengers under the age of 18?


Yes, Indiana has a restriction on the use of cell phones by drivers with passengers under the age of 18. Drivers with passengers under the age of 18 are prohibited from using a handheld cell phone or any other type of mobile electronic device while driving.

7. Does Indiana have laws that address the use of child restraint systems in taxicabs and other for-hire vehicles?


Yes, Indiana has laws that address the use of child restraint systems in taxicabs and other for-hire vehicles. According to Indiana Code 9-22-11-6, it is required that all taxicabs and for-hire vehicles used to transport children under age eight must be equipped with a “properly installed and secured child safety restraint system or booster seat that meets federal safety standards.” The driver or owner of the vehicle is responsible for ensuring that the appropriate child restraint system is utilized, as per the law.

8. Are lap and shoulder belts required for all passengers in vehicles registered in Indiana?


Yes, all passengers and drivers in vehicles registered in Indiana are required to use a lap and shoulder belt.

9. Does Indiana impose any restrictions on the use of rear-facing car seats on airplanes?


No, Indiana does not impose any restrictions on the use of rear-facing car seats on airplanes. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) does, however, require that the car seat be FAA approved and that it be used in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions.

10. Does Indiana have any laws that prohibit drivers from smoking in vehicles with passengers under the age of 18?


Yes, Indiana has laws that prohibit drivers from smoking in vehicles with passengers under the age of 18. The Indiana Code states that it is a Class C infraction (the lowest level of violation) for any person to smoke in a motor vehicle while any person who is under the age of 18 years is present in the motor vehicle.

11. Are there any laws in Indiana that apply specifically to booster seat requirements?


Yes, Indiana has booster seat laws. All children under age 8 and less than 4 feet 9 inches must be properly restrained in an appropriate child safety seat or booster seat. Children 8 and over, or those under 8 who have reached 4 feet 9 inches in height, may use a safety belt.

12. Does Indiana allow for children under a certain age to be secured with a lap belt only?


No, Indiana requires all passengers under the age of 16 to be properly secured in either a booster seat or a seat belt.

13. Which type of vehicles are exempt from child restraint laws in Indiana?


Vehicles with a Gross Vehicle Weight Rating of more than 10,000 pounds, farm tractors, implements of husbandry, and certain emergency vehicles are exempt from Indiana’s child restraint laws.

14. Are there any laws in Indiana that allow for exceptions to certain child restraint requirements for pregnant women?


Yes, there are. Indiana law provides an exception for pregnant women from certain child restraint requirements if a medical doctor certifies that the woman is pregnant and that the use of a child restraint system would be detrimental to her health. A pregnant woman must present a written statement to the driver of the vehicle in which she is a passenger explaining the exception. The driver must then carry the written statement in the vehicle at all times.

15. What are the penalties associated with violating child passenger safety laws in Indiana?


The penalties for violating child passenger safety laws in Indiana vary depending on the offense. Fines may range from $25 to $500. For more serious violations, a person may be required to attend a court hearing and could face up to six months in jail or a fine up to $500. Additionally, failure to comply with child safety laws may result in the suspension of driving privileges.

16. Are there any restrictions regarding children riding in the front seat of a vehicle in Indiana?


Yes. Children under 8 years of age must ride in a child restraint system, and those between 8 and 16 must wear a safety belt, unless the child is over 4’9″ tall.

17. Does Indiana require the use of child safety seats at all times or just when certain criteria are met?


Indiana requires the use of child safety seats at all times.

18. Is it legal to transport an unrestrained pet when transporting children in a vehicle registered in Indiana?


No. Indiana law requires that all passengers in a vehicle, including pets, are properly restrained at all times.

19. What kind of child safety seats must be used when traveling on buses operating within Indiana?


Indiana requires that all children younger than 8 years old must be secured in a federally-approved child safety seat while riding on buses within the state. Appropriate safety seats must meet federal standards and include: an infant-only seat, a convertible seat, a combination seat, or a booster seat.

20. Is there a law in Indiana that requires all children riding in school buses to use booster seats or other child safety restraints?


No. Indiana does not have a law that requires all children riding in school buses to use booster seats or other child safety restraints.