Michigan car seat law (2026)
Children younger than 2 years, unless they have reached the manufacturer's weight or height limit, must ride in a rear-facing system; children 2 through 4 years, unless at the manufacturer limit, in a forward-facing restraint; children 5 through 7 years, unless 4 feet 9 inches tall, in a belt-positioning booster.
| Provision | What the IIHS table lists for Michigan |
|---|---|
| Child restraint | Children younger than 2 years, unless they have reached the manufacturer's weight or height limit, must ride in a rear-facing system; children 2 through 4 years, unless at the manufacturer limit, in a forward-facing restraint; children 5 through 7 years, unless 4 feet 9 inches tall, in a belt-positioning booster. |
| Adult seat belt | Ages 8 through 15, or children at least 57 inches tall, must use a seat belt. |
| Rear seat | Children 12 years and younger must be in the rear seat if available. |
| Fine (1st offense) | Up to $10 maximum base fine for a first offense; additional fees may apply. The court may waive any civil fine, cost, or assessment against an individual who received a civil infraction citation for a violation of section 710d if the individual, before the appearance date on the citation, supplies the court with evidence of acquisition of a child seating system that meets the requirements of section 710d and evidence that the individual has received education from a certified child passenger safety technician. |
The law names ages — the seat's specs decide the switch
Every threshold above meets a spec question: is your child still within the seat's own height/weight limits for that mode? That's published manufacturer data, and it's what this site organizes:
- Keeping a toddler rear-facing longer → extended rear-facing seats (higher rear-facing limits).
- Moving from harness to booster → booster seats, incl. narrow boosters for 3-across.
- One seat across the whole journey → all-in-one (4-in-1) seats.
- Not sure a seat works in your car → how to check fit.
Seats at the stages Michigan names
The provisions above are written in ages, heights and weights. These are seats in our database at those stages, with the limits printed in each maker's manual. This is not a statement that any seat satisfies Michigan law. Check the seat's own limits and your vehicle's fit.
Booster seats
- Graco TurboBooster 2.0See price on Amazon
- Booster (with back) 40–100 lb · 43–57 in · 4+ yrs
- Booster (backless) 40–100 lb · 43–57 in · 4+ yrs
Lightweight for travel
- Chicco KidFit ClearTex PlusSee price on Amazon
- Booster (with back) 40–100 lb · 44–57 in · 4+ yrs
- Booster (backless) 40–110 lb · 44–57 in · 4+ yrs
Lightweight for travel
- Clek OobrSee price on Amazon
- Booster (with back) 40–100 lb · 43.3–57 in · 4+ yrs
- Booster (backless) 40–100 lb · 43.3–57 in
Narrow for 3-across
- mifold Grab-and-GoSee price on Amazon
- Booster (backless) 40–100 lb · 40–59 in
Narrow for 3-across · lightweight for travel
All-in-one seats
- Graco 4Ever DLX 4-in-1See price on Amazon
- Rear-facing 4–40 lb
- Forward-facing harness 22–65 lb
- Booster (with back) 40–100 lb · 43–57 in · 4+ yrs
- Booster (backless) 40–120 lb · 43–57 in · 4+ yrs
Extended rear-facing · FAA-approved for aircraft
- Britax One4Life ClickTightSee price on Amazon
- Rear-facing 5–50 lb · 18–49 in
- Forward-facing harness 30–65 lb · 35–49 in
- Booster (with back) 40–120 lb · 44–63 in
Extended rear-facing · FAA-approved for aircraft
Tap a seat name for its side-by-side page and the manual. Full lists: every booster seat · every all-in-one · narrow boosters for 3-across · how to check fit
FAQ
What is the car seat law in Michigan?
Children younger than 2 years, unless they have reached the manufacturer's weight or height limit, must ride in a rear-facing system; children 2 through 4 years, unless at the manufacturer limit, in a forward-facing restraint; children 5 through 7 years, unless 4 feet 9 inches tall, in a belt-positioning booster. (As published in the IIHS state law table, retrieved 2026-07-16 — a summary, not legal advice.)
When can a child use just a seat belt in Michigan?
Ages 8 through 15, or children at least 57 inches tall, must use a seat belt. Best practice is to keep using a booster until the adult belt fits properly — lap flat on the thighs, shoulder belt across the chest — regardless of the legal minimum.
Does Michigan require children to ride in the back seat?
Children 12 years and younger must be in the rear seat if available. (As published in the IIHS state law table.) NHTSA's recommendation goes further: all children under 13 in the back seat, and never a rear-facing seat in front of an active passenger airbag.
What is the fine for a car seat violation in Michigan?
Up to $10 maximum base fine for a first offense; additional fees may apply. The court may waive any civil fine, cost, or assessment against an individual who received a civil infraction citation for a violation of section 710d if the individual, before the appearance date on the citation, supplies the court with evidence of acquisition of a child seating system that meets the requirements of section 710d and evidence that the individual has received education from a certified child passenger safety technician. (As published in the IIHS state law table, retrieved 2026-09-24 — a summary, not legal advice.)
Is the Michigan law the same as best practice?
No — the law is the legal minimum. NHTSA recommends keeping children in each stage (rear-facing, forward-facing harness, booster) up to the seat's own height and weight limits, which usually lasts longer than the law requires.
All states: car seat laws by state · nearby in the list: Minnesota · Mississippi · Missouri · Montana · Nebraska