Michigan
Michigan Car Seat Laws: Requirements and Guidelines
Michigan law (MCL 257.710d) requires children to ride rear-facing until age 2, forward-facing from ages 2 to 4, and in a booster seat from ages 5 to 7 or until they reach 4 feet 9 inches tall. All children under 13 must ride in the back seat.
Overview of Michigan Car Seat Laws
Michigan significantly strengthened its child passenger safety requirements with updated laws that took effect on April 2, 2025. The new law, codified in MCL 257.710d, sets clearer age-based standards for each type of child restraint and adds a requirement that all children under 13 ride in the back seat.
The Michigan State Police Office of Highway Safety Planning (OHSP) enforces these laws and provides educational resources for parents and caregivers. Michigan uses primary enforcement for child restraint violations, meaning an officer can pull you over solely because a child appears improperly restrained.
What Changed in Michigan's 2025 Car Seat Law Update
The April 2, 2025 update brought several important changes to Michigan's child passenger safety requirements. Here is a comparison of the key differences.
| Requirement | Previous Law | Updated Law (April 2, 2025) |
|---|---|---|
| Rear-facing age | Recommended, not specified | Required until age 2 or manufacturer limits |
| Forward-facing age | Under 4 in car seat | Ages 2 to under 5 in forward-facing seat |
| Booster seat | Under 8 or under 4'9" | Ages 5 to 7, until 4'9" or age 8 |
| Back seat requirement | Under 4 in rear seat | All children under 13 in rear seat |
| Fine waiver | Not available | Court may waive fine with proof of car seat purchase and CPS education |
These updates align Michigan's law more closely with AAP recommendations and current best practices in child passenger safety.
Rear-Facing Car Seat Requirements in Michigan
Under the updated law, children must ride in a rear-facing car seat until they reach the maximum weight or height allowed by the car seat manufacturer or until the child turns 2 years old. This is a significant change from the previous law, which only recommended rear-facing but did not set a specific age requirement.
Two types of rear-facing seats are available.
| Seat Type | Typical Weight Range | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Infant-only seat | 4 to 35 lbs | Newborns and small infants |
| Convertible seat | 5 to 40-50 lbs rear-facing | Infants through older toddlers |
The AAP recommends keeping children rear-facing as long as possible, even beyond age 2, as long as the child fits within the seat manufacturer's limits. Many convertible seats now support rear-facing children up to 40 or 50 pounds, allowing some children to remain rear-facing until age 3 or 4.
Rear-facing seats protect a child's head, neck, and spine by distributing crash forces across the back of the seat. Install the seat in the back of the vehicle according to the manufacturer's instructions. The harness straps should sit at or below the child's shoulders when rear-facing.
A rear-facing car seat may be placed in the front seat only if the front passenger airbag has been deactivated. This exception applies when the rear seat is not available or is fully occupied by other children.
Forward-Facing Car Seat Requirements in Michigan
Once a child outgrows the rear-facing seat or turns 2, the updated Michigan law requires the child to ride in a forward-facing car seat until the child reaches the seat manufacturer's maximum weight or height limit or turns 5 years old.
Forward-facing seats use a five-point harness that secures the child at the shoulders, hips, and between the legs. This system limits forward movement during a crash and distributes impact forces across the strongest parts of the body.
Most forward-facing seats support children from about 25 pounds up to 65 pounds. Many children can remain in a harnessed seat until age 6 or 7, depending on growth rate. When possible, keeping a child in a harnessed seat longer provides better protection than moving to a booster seat.
To check harness tightness, use the pinch test: if you can pinch any excess harness webbing between your fingers at the child's collarbone, the harness needs to be tightened. The chest clip should sit at armpit level. Always use the top tether strap to anchor the seat to the vehicle.
Booster Seat Requirements in Michigan
The updated law requires children ages 5 to 7 to ride in a belt-positioning booster seat with a lap and shoulder belt until they are 4 feet 9 inches tall or 8 years old. The child transitions out of the booster when he or she meets the height requirement or the age requirement, whichever comes first.
A booster seat lifts the child so the vehicle's seat belt fits correctly. Proper belt positioning means the following.
- The lap belt sits low and snug across the upper thighs, not across the stomach.
- The shoulder belt crosses the center of the chest and shoulder, not the neck or face.
Two types of booster seats serve different needs.
High-back boosters provide head and neck support and work well in vehicles without adjustable headrests.
Backless boosters are lightweight and portable but should only be used in vehicles with headrests that reach at least the top of the child's ears.
Both types require a lap and shoulder belt. Never use a lap-only belt with a booster seat.
The Seat Belt Fit Test
Before moving a child from a booster seat to a seat belt alone, check the following.
- The child sits all the way back against the vehicle seat.
- The knees bend comfortably at the edge of the seat.
- The lap belt sits low across the upper thighs.
- The shoulder belt crosses the chest and shoulder properly.
- The child can maintain this position for the entire trip without slouching.
Even if a child has reached 4 feet 9 inches or turned 8, continue using a booster seat if the seat belt does not fit correctly.
Back Seat Requirements for Children in Michigan
One of the most significant changes in Michigan's 2025 update is the expanded back seat requirement. Under the new law, all children under 13 years old must ride in the rear seat of a vehicle when one is available.
Previously, only children under 4 were required to ride in the back seat. The new rule recognizes that the back seat is the safest position for all children, not just those in car seats.
Exception: If all available rear seats are occupied by children, then a child may ride in the front seat with a proper restraint. A child in a rear-facing car seat may ride in the front only if the front passenger airbag is deactivated.
Seat Belt Requirements for Older Children and Teens
Michigan law requires all children under 16 to wear a seat belt in any seating position. For passengers 16 and older, seat belts are required in the front seat.
Drivers are responsible for making sure every passenger under 16 is properly buckled. This applies to both the front and back seats.
Penalties for Car Seat Violations in Michigan
Under MCL 257.710d and MCL 257.907, the civil fine for a child restraint violation must not exceed $10. However, with court costs and fees, the total cost of a violation typically comes to approximately $120.
| Detail | Description |
|---|---|
| Base fine | Up to $10 |
| Total with court costs | Approximately $120 |
| Fine waiver | Court may waive fine with proof of car seat purchase and CPS technician education |
| Points on license | None |
The 2025 update introduced a new fine waiver provision. The court may waive the civil fine, costs, and assessments if the driver provides evidence that he or she has acquired a qualifying child seating system and received education from a certified Child Passenger Safety (CPS) technician.
Exemptions to Michigan Car Seat Laws
Michigan provides the following exemptions to its child restraint requirements.
Taxis and ride-for-hire vehicles are exempt from Michigan's car seat laws. However, parents should bring a car seat whenever practical.
Emergency vehicles are exempt when transporting children in emergency situations.
Medical exemptions apply to children with physical conditions that prevent the use of standard restraints. A physician must certify the condition.
Leaving a Child Unattended in a Vehicle
Michigan law (MCL 750.135a) makes it illegal to leave a child under 6 years old unattended in a vehicle if doing so exposes the child to danger. A first violation with no injury is a misdemeanor (up to 93 days and a $500 fine), rising to a misdemeanor with up to 1 year and a $1,000 fine if the child suffers physical harm, and to a felony if the child is seriously harmed (up to 10 years and a $5,000 fine) or dies (up to 15 years and a $10,000 fine).
Even when the law may not technically apply (for example, with older children), it is never safe to leave a child alone in a vehicle. Vehicle interiors can reach dangerous temperatures within minutes.
Smoking in a Vehicle with Children
Michigan does not have a law that prohibits smoking in a vehicle when children are present. While it is legal, medical professionals strongly advise against exposing children to secondhand smoke in the enclosed space of a vehicle.
Car Seat Inspection and Replacement
Michigan does not require car seat replacement by law. However, the Michigan OHSP recommends against using any car seat that has been recalled, involved in a crash, is damaged or incomplete, lacks a model number or manufacture date, or has expired.
NHTSA recommends replacing car seats after any moderate or severe crash. Car seats typically expire 6 to 10 years after the date of manufacture.
The Michigan State Police and local fire departments offer free car seat inspections. Certified CPS technicians can check installation, verify the seat is appropriate for the child, and check for recalls. Find an inspection station at nhtsa.gov.
More Michigan Laws
Frequently Asked Questions
What changed in Michigan's car seat law in 2025?
Effective April 2, 2025, Michigan now requires rear-facing seats until age 2, forward-facing seats until age 5, booster seats until age 8 or 4 feet 9 inches, and all children under 13 must ride in the back seat. The update also allows courts to waive fines if the driver purchases a car seat and completes CPS education.
At what age can a child stop using a car seat in Michigan?
Under the updated law, children must use a car seat or booster seat until they are 8 years old or 4 feet 9 inches tall. After that, they must wear a seat belt and ride in the back seat until age 13.
What is the fine for a car seat violation in Michigan?
The base fine is up to $10, but with court costs the total typically comes to about $120. The court may waive the fine if the driver shows proof of purchasing a car seat and receiving education from a certified CPS technician.
Do children under 13 have to sit in the back seat in Michigan?
Yes. As of April 2, 2025, all children under 13 must ride in the rear seat when one is available. If all rear seats are occupied by other children, a child may ride in the front seat with proper restraint.
Is it illegal to leave a child in a car in Michigan?
Yes. Michigan law makes it illegal to leave a child under 6 unattended in a vehicle if the child is exposed to danger. A violation with no injury is a misdemeanor, but the penalty escalates to a felony, up to 10 years if the child is seriously harmed and up to 15 years if the child dies.
Updates
Corrected the child-left-unattended penalty (MCL 750.135a) to reflect that it escalates from a misdemeanor to a 10-15 year felony when the child is harmed or dies, rather than being uniformly a misdemeanor.
Governing law re-checked for recent changes
The Law Behind This Article
This article rests on 3 statutory provisions held in our own legal record, each retrieved from the official source. Tap a section to read the operative text.
Michigan Compiled Laws
§ 257.710dChild restraint system required; position; exceptions; violation as civil infraction; points; abstract; exemption by rules; alternate means of protectionIn forcecited in 2 of our articles
(1) Except as provided in this section, or as otherwise provided by law, a rule promulgated under the administrative procedures act of 1969, 1969 PA 306, MCL 24.201 to 24.328, or federal regulation, each driver transporting a child in a motor vehicle shall properly secure that child in a child restraint system that meets the standards prescribed in 49 CFR 571.213. (2) A driver transporting a child as required under subsection (1) shall position the child in the child restraint system in a rear seat, if the vehicle is equipped with a rear seat. If all available rear seats are occupied by children, then a child may be positioned in the child restraint system in the front seat. A child in a rear-facing child restraint system may be placed in the front seat only if the front passenger air bag is deactivated. In addition, a child must be seated and positioned in a child restraint system as follows: (a) A child must be restrained in a rear-facing child restraint system until the child meets either of the following conditions: (i) The child has reached the weight or height limit of the rear-facing child restraint system set by the manufacturer.
Official text (excerpt) · as of 2026-07-30 · Read the full section at legislature.mi.gov
§ 257.907Civil infraction; payment of civil fine and costs; certification of repair of defective equipment; collection of civil fines or costs; waiver of fine, cost, and assessment; civil infraction arising out of ownership or operation of commercial quadricycle; "moving violation" definedIn forcecited in 4 of our articles
(1) A violation of this act, or a local ordinance that substantially corresponds to a provision of this act, that is designated a civil infraction must not be considered a lesser included offense of a criminal offense. (2) Permission may be granted for payment of a civil fine and costs to be made within a specified period of time or in specified installments but, unless permission is included in the order or judgment, the civil fine and costs must be payable immediately. Except as otherwise provided, a person found responsible or responsible "with explanation" for a civil infraction must pay costs as provided in subsection (4) and 1 or more of the following civil fines, as applicable: (a) Except as otherwise provided, for a civil infraction under this act or a local ordinance that substantially corresponds to a provision of this act, the person must be ordered to pay a civil fine of not more than $100.00. (b) If the civil infraction was a moving violation that resulted in an at-fault collision with another vehicle, an individual, or any other object, the civil fine ordered under this section is increased by $25.00 but the total civil fine must not be more than $100.00.
Official text (excerpt) · as of 2026-07-30 · Read the full section at legislature.mi.gov
Also relied on in: Michigan Windshield Mounting Laws (2026 Guide)
§ 750.135aLeaving child unattended in vehicle; prohibition; violation; definitionsIn forcecited in 2 of our articles
(1) A person who is responsible for the care or welfare of a child shall not leave that child unattended in a vehicle for a period of time that poses an unreasonable risk of harm or injury to the child or under circumstances that pose an unreasonable risk of harm or injury to the child. (2) A person who violates this section is guilty of a crime as follows: (a) Except as otherwise provided in subdivisions (b) to (d), the person is guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment for not more than 93 days or a fine of not more than $500.00, or both. (b) If the violation results in physical harm other than serious physical harm to the child, the person is guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment for not more than 1 year or a fine of not more than $1,000.00, or both. (c) If the violation results in serious physical harm to the child, the person is guilty of a felony punishable by imprisonment for not more than 10 years or a fine of not more than $5,000.00, or both. (d) If the violation results in the death of the child, the person is guilty of a felony punishable by imprisonment for not more than 15 years or a fine of not more than $10,000.00, or both.
Official text (excerpt) · as of 2026-07-30 · Read the full section at legislature.mi.gov
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Sources and References
- MCL 257.710d: Child Restraint Systems(legislature.mi.gov).gov
- Michigan State Police OHSP: Child Passenger Safety(michigan.gov).gov
- Michigan State Police: Updated Child Passenger Safety Laws (March 2025)(michigan.gov).gov
- NHTSA: Car Seats and Booster Seats(nhtsa.gov).gov
- GHSA: State Child Passenger Safety Laws(ghsa.org)