When Can a Child Sit in the Front Seat in Texas?
Car safety laws exist to protect everyone on the road—especially children. Many parents wonder when it’s safe or legal for their child to ride in the front seat. Texas law and safety guidelines set rules for when a child is allowed to ride in the front seat, and experts often recommend keeping younger passengers in the back for maximum protection. Understanding the rules can help you keep your child safe and avoid any legal trouble.
Texas Law on Child Car Seats
Texas law requires that all children under the age of eight must ride in a child safety seat system, unless they are taller than 4 feet 9 inches. This law applies to every vehicle on Texas roads, and failure to follow it can result in a ticket and a fine.
Once a child turns 8 years old or reaches the height of 4’9”, they can legally use the regular seat belt in the back seat. However, that doesn’t automatically mean they can sit in the front seat. While the law is more flexible at this point, safety experts still recommend that children stay in the back seat until they are older.
When Is It Legal for a Child to Sit in the Front Seat in Texas?
Texas law does not set a specific age for when a child can sit in the front seat. Instead, it focuses on the proper use of child safety seats and seat belts. However, federal guidelines and safety recommendations strongly suggest that children under 13 years old should ride in the back seat whenever possible.
This recommendation is based on the risk of injury from front airbags, which are designed for adults and can seriously harm younger, smaller passengers in the event of a crash. So, while it’s not illegal for a child over eight years old to ride in the front seat in Texas, it is considered unsafe unless the child is at least 13 years old.
Why the Back Seat Is Safer for Children
The back seat is the safest place for children because it is farther away from the dashboard and airbags. In a crash, children seated in the front are more likely to be hurt by the impact of the airbag or the front of the vehicle. Airbags are designed to deploy with great force.
For smaller bodies, like those of young children, this force can cause serious injuries—even if they are properly buckled in. This is why the back seat is always the safest choice until your child is big enough to handle the risks of the front seat.
Booster Seats and Seat Belts
Once your child outgrows a forward-facing car seat, usually around ages four to seven, they should use a booster seat. Booster seats help position the seat belt correctly on the child’s chest and hips. Without a booster, the seat belt may sit too high across the neck or stomach, which can cause serious injury in a crash.
Once a child is 4’9” tall, they can move from a booster seat to a regular seat belt, which usually happens between ages 8 and 12. Even then, experts recommend they continue riding in the back seat until age 13.
If your child must sit in the front seat before age 13—for example, if your car doesn’t have a back seat—make sure to turn off the front airbag if your vehicle allows it. Also, move the front seat as far back as possible to put more space between your child and the dashboard.
Contact a Bedford Car Accident Lawyer at Parker Law Firm Injury Lawyers for a Free Consultation
Understanding when your child can legally sit in the front seat in Texas helps you make safer choices for your family. While the law may allow front seat riding for older or taller children, expert safety recommendations are clear: the back seat is safest until age 13.
If your child has been injured in a crash, and you believe another person’s negligence is to blame, don’t wait. Contact a Bedford car accident attorney at Parker Law Firm Injury Lawyers to arrange a free consultation.
For more information, please contact an experienced personal injury lawyer at Parker Law Firm Injury Lawyers to schedule a free initial consultation today. We have convenient locations in Bedford and Fort Worth, Texas.
Parker Law Firm Injury Lawyers – Bedford
2317 Plaza Pkwy #100,
Bedford, TX 76021
(817) 503-9200
Parker Law Firm Injury Lawyers – Fort Worth
209 N Hampton St,
Fort Worth, TX 76102
(817) 839-3143
