Child Car Seat Laws

Delaware works hard to keep child passengers safe. Each month, the Office of Highway Safety conducts free child seat safety checks. The officers answer questions about safety seats, recalls, placement, and installment. No appointment is necessary. Call (302) 744-2740 to find out when the next check is being held in your area.

Delaware law states that all children under the age of 12 must ride in the back seat of the vehicle.

Babies less than one year old and weighing less than 20 pounds must be placed in an approved rear-facing car carrier, with harness straps at or below the shoulders.

Children between 20 and 40 pounds will remain in an approved forward-facing car seat, with the harness straps across the shoulders.

Toddlers and children weighing 40-80 pounds "graduate" to a booster seat, which is buckled in using the vehicle's safety belts.

All children 16 years old and younger must wear a seat belt at all times.

If you're in the market for one, you can shop online for a child car seat at any time. When ordering, be sure the car seat matches your child's height, weight and age.

Seat Belts

Delaware requires that seat belts be worn by all passengers at all times.

Cell Phones

As of 2011, state authorities have banned texting and the use of hand-held cell phones while driving.

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