BMV Reminds Hoosiers that Safety Starts in the Backseat

The Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV) is highlighting Child Passenger Safety Week with a reminder for Hoosier parents, guardians, and caregivers about regulations and resources to keep kids safe on the road. 

Car seats and booster seats reduce the risk of fatal and serious injuries. Indiana law requires children to ride in an age-appropriate car seat or booster seat in the back of a vehicle until they are at least 8 years old. NHTSA and Indiana State Police set guidelines on the best seat for children at every age and stage: 

  • Birth to 1 year old: children should ride in a rear-facing infant seat until they outgrow it, according to the manufacturer’s weight and height limits. 
  • 1 to 3 years old: children should rear-face for as long as possible in a convertible car seat.
  • 4 to 7 years old: when children exceed the weight and height limit to rear-face, they should ride in a forward-facing car seat with a harness and tether. Once kids reach 40 pounds they may ride in a booster seat, but State Police encourage staying in the forward-facing seat with a harness until they weigh over 65 pounds. 
  • 8-12 years old: children may graduate from their booster seat once they can properly fit in a seatbelt. Proper fit means the lap belt lies snugly across the upper thighs, not the stomach, and the shoulder belt lies across the shoulder and chest, not touching the neck or face. Children are safest riding in the back seat until they are at least 13 years old.


Once you’ve selected the right seat, take care to install it correctly.  Read both the car seat instruction manual and the vehicle owner’s manual for specific information about installation in your vehicle. Skipping steps or misusing equipment can have serious consequences. 

For free assistance with car seat selection and installation, Hoosiers can visit one of the Indiana Criminal Justice Institute’s many Child Safety Seat Inspection Stations. There, a certified child passenger safety technician will check the current restraint for proper fit, proper installation, and any recalls from the manufacturer. A map of the 103 inspection stations across Indiana is available here on the ICJI website.

For more information about car seats, installation inspection centers, and more, visit www.NHTSA.gov/CarSeat.

ABOUT THE BUREAU OF MOTOR VEHICLES

The Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV) serves all Hoosiers by providing best-in-class driver and vehicle services in a timely and accurate manner while ensuring security and transparency. We are committed to continuous improvement and excellence in all aspects of our operations. We strive to ensure that every driver is equipped with the resources and information they need to navigate the roads confidently and safely. The BMV wants to empower customers to interact with us when and how they choose, through streamlined services that maximize convenience and uphold our duty to use Hoosier taxpayer resources wisely.

For a complete list of branch locations and hours, to complete an online transaction, or to find a 24-hour BMV Connect kiosk near you, visit IN.gov/BMV.