Booster Seat Ride in a booster until 4'9” tall or are at least 8 years old or weigh 80 pounds. Use a backless booster seat with lap and shoulder belt combination. The backless booster must be used with good head support behind the child.

In 2026, the general safety recommendation is that a child should be at least 4 years old, but most experts and organizations like the AAP and NHTSA strongly suggest waiting until they are older and physically ready. While the minimum age is often 4, a child is typically not ready for a backless booster until they have outgrown their forward-facing five-point harness seat, which often happens between the ages of 5 and 7. Beyond just age, the child must meet specific weight (usually 40–110 lbs) and height (at least 44 inches) requirements. Crucially, backless boosters require the vehicle to have a headrest that reaches the child's ears to prevent whiplash; if your car has low seat backs, a high-back booster is mandatory. Furthermore, the child must have the maturity to sit correctly for the entire trip without slouching or moving the shoulder belt behind their back. Safety laws vary by state, but the primary goal is ensuring the lap belt sits low across the hips and the shoulder belt crosses the center of the chest.