South Carolina Car Seat and Booster Seat Laws

Rear-Facing Car Seat

Infants through children age 1 and children who weigh under 20 pounds must be secured in a rear-facing child safety seat in the back seat.

Car Seat

Children ages 1 to 5 who weigh between 20 to 39 pounds must use a forward-facing child safety seat in the back seat.

Booster Seat

Children ages 1-5 who weigh 40 to 80 pounds must use a booster seat secured by both a lap and shoulder belt in the back seat.

Seat Belt

• Children ages 1 through 5 and who weigh more than 80 pounds.
• Any child 5 years and younger if the child's knees bend over the seat edge when sitting up straight with his/her back firmly against the seat back.
• Children 17 and under must be restrained in some manner.

Seating Position

• Infants through children age 1 and children who weigh under 20 pounds must be secured in a rear-facing child safety seat in the back seat.
• Children ages 1 to 5 and who weigh between 20 to 39 pounds must use a forward-facing child safety seat in the back seat.
• Children 5 and under and who weigh 40 to 80 pounds must use a booster seat secured by a lap/shoulder belt (lap belt alone is not permissible) in the back seat.

Fines & Penalties

Maximum fine for first offense is $150.

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