Provisions in Vermont Law are often what guide parents and other caregivers when they are making decisions on how to most safely transport their children.
No person shall operate a motor vehicle, other than a type I school bus, in this state upon a public highway unless every occupant under the age of 18 is properly restrained in a federally approved child passenger restraining system as defined in 49 C.F.R. § 571.213 (1993) or a federally-approved safety belt, as follows:
- All children under the age of one and all children weighing less than 20 pounds, regardless of age, shall be restrained in a rear-facing position, properly secured in a federally approved child passenger restraining system, which shall not be installed in front of an active airbag.
- A child weighing more than 20 pounds and who is one year of age or older and under the age of eight years shall be restrained in a child passenger restraining system (This means convertible, combination, and booster child safety seats) and
- A child eight through 17 years of age shall be restrained in a safety belt or a child passenger restraining system.
Penalty
Penalties for failing to follow the child passenger safety laws: The fine is $25.00 for the first offense, $50.00 for the second, and $100.00 for the third offense. No points will be assessed to the license of the driver.
There are NO medical exemptions. Contact your local pediatrician or the number below to learn more.
For more information about child passenger safety, visit beseatsmart.org or call them at 888.868.7328.
For more information about general highway safety, please visit shso.vermont.gov.