When used correctly, car seats reduce the risk of fatal injury by 71% for infants and 54% for toddlers. For maximum safety, North Dakota safety experts recommend children younger than 13 always ride in the back seat.
In 2024, 70% of car seats checked in North Dakota were found to be installed incorrectly. Proper installation is critical to protecting your child in the event of a crash.
North Dakota law mandates that all children be properly restrained based on their age and size (NDCC 39-21-41.2):
- Under Age 8: Must ride in an approved child restraint (car seat or booster seat).
- Height Exception: Children under 8 who are at least 4' 9" tall may use a properly fitted seat belt.
- Ages 8–17: Must be secured in either a seat belt or an appropriate child restraint.
- Penalty: $25 (NDCC 39-06.1-06. section 2, part c)
Need help with installation? Certified Child Passenger Safety Technicians (CPST) are available across North Dakota to inspect your seat for free.
To find a technician or locate a local car seat check event, contact the North Dakota Department of Health and Human Services at 800-472-2286 or view the ND Child Passenger Safety Map.
The Four Stages of Child Passenger Safety
Children should ride rear-facing as long as possible, usually until they reach the maximum height or weight allowed by the manufacturer.
- Commonly used from 4 lbs up to 35+ lbs.
- Ensure the child’s head is at least 1 inch below the top of the seat shell.
Once a child outgrows the rear-facing limits, they transition to a forward-facing seat with a 5-point harness.
- Use this seat until the child reaches the maximum harness weight (typically 40–100 lbs).
- Always use the top tether for forward-facing installations to limit head movement during a crash.
After outgrowing the harness, children should use a booster seat to ensure the vehicle's seat belt fits their smaller frame correctly.
- Continue using a booster until your child is at least 4 feet 9 inches tall.
- Booster seats are generally rated for children up to 80–100 lbs.
Children can move to a seat belt alone once it fits properly: the lap belt must lie across the upper thighs (not the stomach) and the shoulder belt must cross the chest (not the neck).
Resources
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