Understanding car seat laws will help you to keep your child safe in a vehicle. Although every state has its unique regulations, all laws seek to reduce injuries in car accidents. Your child’s age, weight, and height will determine the right car seat. To maximize safety, parents must also ensure the seats are properly installed and used as directed.
Nevada, also known as “The Silver State,” has several attractions for children that make it a great place to visit or live, but when you are in a new state, you need to know the local laws.
Nevada has specific laws to protect children traveling in vehicles. Children under six years old and less than 60 pounds must use an approved child restraint device according to the law. Children should also be kept in the back seat until at least twelve years old, the state recommends. Furthermore, children should use a booster seat until they are at least six years old and 60 pounds to ensure proper seat belts fit according to the Nevada booster seat law.
Types of Car Seats and Their Requirements
The age and size of your child will determine the correct car seat for them. Three main types of car seats exist, and each has different legal requirements.
- Rear-Facing Car Seats: Designed for newborns and toddlers, rear-facing car seats provide optimal head, neck, and spine support. Children must remain rear-facing until at least age two in several states.
- Forward-Facing Car Seats: Suitable for older toddlers and preschoolers, forward-facing car seats provide added safety with their harness. Until they exceed the manufacturer’s weight or height limits, children should remain in a forward-facing seat.
- Booster Seats: Youngsters who outgrow forward-facing seats but are not yet big enough for seat belts alone use booster seats. Booster seats correct the seat belt’s alignment over the hips and chest.
Required Seats According to Nevada Law
Nevada Revised Statute 484B mandates that children weighing less than 60 pounds and under six years old use a car seat. The Department of Transportation has to approve the seat for the size of your child. This is important because a seat that is either too big or too small can cause serious injuries.
Furthermore, the car seat or booster seat must be Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards compliant. When you are looking for a seat, this information is usually on the box. If you don’t see the information on the box, don’t buy the seat.
Legal Exceptions
This law has a few limited exceptions. It does not apply, first of all, to public transportation or a school bus or to emergency vehicles like an ambulance.
Children who are too large and heavy are also exceptions. You’ll need to get a doctor’s note indicating this to waive the requirements. The same is true if a medical condition prevents your child from using a booster or car seat.
Legal Penalties for Violations
If a parent or driver breaks the law, they might be fined between $100 and $500 for a first violation and could be assigned 10 to 50 hours of community service. Penalties increase for a second offense, with a fine range of $500 to $1000 and community service of about 50 to 100 hours.
A license suspension ranging from 180 days might follow three or more citations. Parents should find out what it takes to correctly install a child safety seat to avoid losing their licenses.
But there is some encouraging news. Should you get a citation for a car seat infraction, you can undergo training to get a fine waiver. NRS 484B.157(3) requires the court to list persons and organizations who perform training and inspections of child restraint systems. From your date of sentencing, you have 60 days to complete training under an inspector.
There might be a fee, and the list you are given should contain it. The court will waive your fine and community service for the first offense with evidence of your completion of the training.
If it is your second offense, your waiver will halve your fine and community service obligation. Bear in mind that you cannot complete the safety training twice; you only get one waiver in your lifetime for this violation.
