New Hampshire Child Occupant Protection Law
RSA 265:107-a Effective January 1, 2024
All children under age 7 or 57 inches (whichever is reached first) must use a properly fastened and secured child safety seat. Children under age 18 must be properly restrained in a motor vehicle, including a car, pickup truck, or SUV. To learn more, refer to the New Hampshire Child Restraint Law web page on the BeSeatSmartNH website.
Image
| Rear-facing (birth to age 2) Use either a rear-facing only seat or a convertible seat until the child reaches the weight or height limit of the seat. Recommendation is children remain rear-facing until at least age 2. Rear-facing seat with harness provides the most protection |
Image
| Forward-facing (age 2 to age 6) Use child safety seat with harness until child reaches weight or height limit of harness. The harness weight limit is an average of 65 lbs. Seat with a harness provides more protection. |
Image
| Booster seat (age 7 to 4 ft. 9 in.) Use a booster when the child outgrows the harnessed seat. Purpose of booster is to raise the child up so the lap-shoulder safety belt fits properly. |
Image
| Seat belt (at least 4 ft. 9 in. to age 18) Use a lap-shoulder belt when the child can sit safely without a booster seat. This is usually at 4 feet 9 inches when the child is between 8 – 12 years old. |