Editor’s note: This article was updated in 2022 to link to a more appropriate section of the relevant statute.
In Iowa law, when being transported in a motor vehicle subject to registration, a child under one year old and weighing less than twenty pounds must be secured in a rear-facing child restraint system. A child under one year old and weighing more than twenty pounds must be secured in a child restraint system used according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
A child between the ages of one and five years old must be secured in a child restraint system used according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
And a child between the ages of six and seventeen years old must be secured in a child restraint system used according to the manufacturer’s instructions or by an approved safety belt or safety harness.
A child restraint system is a specially designed seating system, such as a car seat, booster seat, or belt-positioning seat, meeting federal motor vehicle safety standards.
Babies and Children Up to One Year Old
A child under one year old and weighing less than twenty pounds must be secured in a rear-facing child restraint system used according to manufacturer’s instructions when being transported in a motor vehicle subject to registration. A child under one year old and weighing twenty pounds or more must be secured in a child restraint system used according to the manufacturer’s instructions when being transported in a motor vehicle subject to registration.
Children One to Five Years Old
A child between the ages of one and five years old must be secured in a child restraint system used according to the manufacturer’s instructions when being transported in a motor vehicle subject to registration.
Children Six to Seventeen Years Old
A child between the ages of six and seventeen years old must be secured in a child restraint system used according to the manufacturer’s instructions or by an approved safety belt or safety harness when being transported in a motor vehicle subject to registration.
Penalties for Violations
A violation of Iowa’s Child Restraint Devices law is a simple misdemeanor. A violation of the safety belt or safety harness provision of the law is punishable by a fine of $50.00. A violation of the child restraint system provision of the law is punishable by a fine of $100.00.
For a first violation of the child restraint system provision of the law, you may not be convicted if you are able to prove to the court within a reasonable time that you have purchased or acquired a child restraint system meeting federal motor vehicle safety standards.
If you are operating a motor vehicle and transporting a passenger under fourteen years old or a passenger fourteen years old or older who is unable to properly fasten his or her seatbelt due to a temporary or permanent disability, you may be charged with a violation. If you are transporting a passenger fourteen years old or older without a disability who is in violation of the safety belt or safety harness provision, the passenger may be charged with a violation.
If you are traveling with your child in a taxicab or in a personal vehicle operated by a transportation network company driver in violation of the child restraint system provision or the safety belt or safety harness provision of the law, you may be charged with a violation. If you are not traveling with your child, the operator of the taxicab or the personal vehicle operated by a transportation network company driver may be charged with a violation.
Exemptions
Your child may be exempt from being secured in a child restraint system used according to the manufacturer’s instructions or by an approved safety belt or safety harness if he or she is being transported in a school bus or on a motorcycle.
Your child may be exempt from being secured in a child restraint system used according to the manufacturer’s instructions or by an approved safety belt or safety harness: if he or she is being transported by a peace office acting on official duty; if he or she is being transported in a 1965 model year or older motor vehicle, an authorized emergency vehicle, or a bus; if he or she is being transported in a motor home or a motorsports recreational vehicle and he or she is not seated in the front passenger seat.
If a licensed physician has certified your child as having a medical, physical, or mental condition that prevents or makes the use of a child restraint system, safety belt, or safety harness inadvisable; or if he or she is seated in the back seat of a motor vehicle and no safety belt is available because all safety belts are being used by other occupants, or because a child restraint system is in the seating position for which a belt is provided.
FAQ
What are the booster seat requirements for Iowa?
Iowa car seat laws do not specify when a child should ride in a booster seat. Children five years old and under who weigh more than twenty pounds should be properly fastened into a child restraint system that is appropriate for their height and weight. Children between six and sixteen years old must either be secured in a child passenger restraint system or a seat belt that fits properly.
What are Iowa child car seat laws for rear facing car seats?
Iowa car seat law states that children up to one year old who weigh up to 20 pounds have to be in a car seat that is rear-facing. Children who are under a year old and weigh more than 20 pounds must ride in a child passenger restraint system made for their height and weight.
What is the law on a child in the front seat of a car in Iowa?
State of Iowa car seat laws do not state when a child can sit in the front seat of a vehicle. The Iowa Department of Transportation recommends that children under age 12 should ride in the back seat.
* Ms. Blake is licensed in the state of Maryland. The information provided in this article does not constitute legal advice and does not create an attorney-client relationship.