Minnesota Raises Booster Seat Age for Kids in New Law Effective August 1

Minnesota has new laws requiring child car seats and booster seats starting August 1. One of the biggest takeaways is requiring older kids now to use booster seats.

Up until now, Minnesota law allowed child car seat manufacturers instructions to dictate how you install your car seat, and what age and weight your child needed to be for forward facing and booster seats. Starting August 1, that all changes. Here's what you need to know.

Under 2 years old must be placed in a rear-facing or convertible child safety seat.

From infant to 2 years old, no matter weight or size, the child must be in a rear-facing or convertible child safety seat.

The child must be 2 years old and have outgrown the rear-facing seat to move to the front-facing.

Once the child is at least 2 AND has outgrown the rear-facing seat, they can go to a front-facing with an internal harness.

Once the child is 4, and they have outgrown the forward-facing seat, they can go to a booster seat.

The child must be 4 and have outgrown the front-facing seat. They can then ride in a booster seat with a belt-positioning feature using the lap belt and shoulder belt.

Children now have to be 9 years old to leave the booster seat.

The law previously was 8 years old. Starting August 1st, the child must be 9 and follow the 5-step test to leave the booster seat.

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What is the 5-step test?

According to the Minnesota Department of Traffic Safety, the 5-step test is the following:

1. The child sits all the way back against the vehicle seat.
2. The child's knees bend over the edge of the vehicle seat.
3. The lap belt fits snugly across the hips near the top of the child's thighs, not the child's abdomen.
4. The shoulder belt snugly crosses the center of the child's chest and shoulder, not the child's neck.
5. The child sits correctly, without slouching, for the duration of the ride.

Children under 13 must sit in the rear seat if possible.

The new law also requires children under 13 to sit in the rear seat if possible.

What is the fine?

As of August 1, 2024, the fine for violating Minnesota's Child Passenger Restraint Law is a $50 fine.