Car seat laws are different in each state, but one thing is certain: Children are safer when they ride in a child safety seat designed for their age and weight. The Texas Department of Public Safety lists guidelines and recommendations for child passenger safety. Parents should know these laws and facts before going on the road with a child.
Texas law states that children under 8 years old and under 4 feet 9 inches tall, when riding in a vehicle, must be in the appropriate child safety seat. Installation of these seat systems must follow the manufacturer's instructions. Once children reach their 8th birthday, they can legally use the adult safety belt in the car. However, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that children continue to use an appropriate booster seat until they are 4 feet, 9 inches tall. Texas law does not specify that a child has to ride in the backseat, but it is the safest place for children under the age of 13.