How old must a kid be to sit in a car’s front seat? Does Ohio restrict by age or weight?
While Ohio doesn’t have any specific laws about when a child can sit in the front seat, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend that children should remain in the back until age 13. There are no laws concerning where the child sits as long as they’re restrained, but it’s not really as straightforward as it seems.
Age is not the only factor
In addition to age, there are also some height and weight restrictions parents must understand. All children weighing less than 40 pounds and shorter than 57 inches must be restrained in a car seat or booster in the back seat.
Further Federal guidelines include:
Children 40 pounds and over:
Can sit in the front seat if there is no back seat available.
They are still required to be in a car seat or booster seat appropriate for their age and height.
If the vehicle does not have a back seat or if all back seats are occupied by other children, the child may sit in the front seat.
All children under the age of 8 and shorter than 57 inches must be secured in a car seat or booster appropriate for their age.
Children over 57 inches:
If the child is under 40 pounds they still need to sit in the back seat in a proper seat or booster.
Regardless of height or weight, children under 8 years of age must sit in the back.
The rules are slightly different for vehicles other than cars.
Motorcycles:
Ohio laws require all motorcycle passengers, including children, to wear a helmet.
Children under the age of 5 are prohibited on motorcycles at any time regardless of circumstances.
There is no specific minimum age for children over 5 on motorcycles However, they must be seated on a firmly attached seat or saddle and must ride facing forward with one leg on each side of the motorcycle
Pickup trucks:
It is illegal in Ohio for anyone under the age of 16 to ride in the open cargo area of a truck if the vehicle is traveling faster than 25 mph.
If a child must ride in the front seat of a truck, they must be restrained according to their age, height, and weight.
If you have any further questions about car safety for children, you can contact Safe Kids Ohio or the Ohio Department of Health.
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This story was originally published August 22, 2024 at 6:00 AM.
