In California, what age must children be in order to be secured in a seat belt instead of a car seat?

In California, children must be secured in a seat belt instead of a car seat when they reach the age of 8. At this age, they have typically outgrown the requirements for a child safety seat, which are designed to provide appropriate restraint for younger children based on their size and weight.

The law emphasizes the importance of proper restraints for children, as they are less likely to be protected adequately by a seat belt alone if they are not of the appropriate size. By age 8, most children are generally tall enough to be safely restrained by an adult seat belt. This transition contributes to their safety in vehicles, minimizing the risk of injury in the event of a collision.

Prior to age 8, children must remain in child safety seats or booster seats, which provide essential support and protection according to the child’s developmental needs. Once they reach 8 years of age, they can begin using adult seat belts, but parents and guardians should ensure that the seat belt fits correctly over the shoulder and across the lap.

The other age options do not align with California’s regulations regarding when a child can transition from a car seat to a seat belt. Hence, the correct age for this transition is 8 years old.