Traffic Safety Laws in Delaware

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 12 years old and 5 feet 5 inches tall or less must ride in the back seat of the vehicle.
  • Babies less than 1 year old must be placed in an approved rear-facing car carrier, with harness straps at or below the shoulders.
  • Children 1 through 3 years old should ride in an infant or rear-facing convertible seat until reaching the height and weight limits of the seat.
  • Children 4 through 7 years old will remain in an approved forward-facing car seat, with the harness straps across the shoulders.
  • Toddlers and children 8 through 12 years old "graduate" to a booster seat, which is buckled in using the vehicle's safety belts.
  • All children under 16 years old must wear a seat belt at all times.

Seat Belts

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

Cell Phones

State authorities have banned texting and the use of hand-held devices while driving.

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