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Maine Car Seat Laws (2021): Current Laws & Safety Resources for Parents

January 15, 2021 by Sam Webster Leave a Comment

According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, in the United States, each year, 12,175 children die from unintentional injuries. Consistent and proper use of child restraints, buckling children into age- and size-appropriate car seats and booster seats, is the best way to ensure child passenger safety.

Quick Navigation
Maine Car Seat Law
Maine Rear-facing Car Seat Law
Child Booster Seat/Forward-facing Seat Laws in Maine
When Can My Child Sit in the Front Seat in Maine?
Leaving Child in Car Law in Maine
Is it Illegal to Smoke in a Car with a Child in Maine?
Taxi Car Seat Law in Maine
Maine Law Car Seat - Replacement After Accident
Places to Get Car Seat Help in Maine
Good Car Seat Safety Videos for Maine
Resources for More Info on Maine Car Seat Safety

Maine Car Seat Law

According to Maine’s law, every child under the weight of 40 pounds requires a secure child restraint system:

“When a child who is less than 2 years of age is being transported in a motor vehicle that is required by the United States Department of Transportation to be equipped with safety seat belts, the operator must have the child properly secured in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions in a child safety seat.” 

Violating this law is punishable by a $50 fine for the first offense.

Maine Rear-facing Car Seat Law

Maine law requires that children under the age of 24 months always travel in a rear-facing seat. Children, older than 24 months, who also fall under the seat manufacturer height and the weight limit should travel in rear-facing seats too.

Child Booster Seat/Forward-facing Seat Laws in Maine

After the child has exceed the weight limit of the rear-facing car seat recommended by the seat manufacturer, they can be secured in a forward-facing car seat. Children who are:


  • Smaller than 4”9’ 
  • Not older than 8 years 
  • Weigh between 40-79 pounds

are required to use a restraining system according to the manufacturer’s specifications. This restraining system can be a forward-facing seat or a booster seat. Maine law was recently updated to state that children weighing less than 55 lbs. need to be in a 5-point harness.

When Can My Child Sit in the Front Seat in Maine?

According to the law, if your child is 12 years or older and weighs more than 100 pounds, it is safe for them to sit in the front seat with seat belt protection.

Leaving Child in Car Law in Maine

There is no law in Maine that would stop someone from leaving their child in a car unattended.

Is it Illegal to Smoke in a Car with a Child in Maine?

It is illegal to smoke with child passengers in a vehicle according to a new Maine law.

Taxi Car Seat Law in Maine

Taxis are exempt from these laws but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t use child restraint system in taxis. Accidents can happen anytime and stats shows that most accidents happen within 10 miles of home.

Maine Law Car Seat - Replacement After Accident

Although it is not enforceable by law in Maine, the car seat should always be replaced after a major accident. Cracks can appear in the plastic of car seats that aren’t visible with eyes. Using a car seat that has already been in an accident is dangerous for your child’s life. Always dispose of the car seat that has been in an accident and use a permanent marker to mention that this car seat has been in an accident.

Places to Get Car Seat Help in Maine

  • NHTSA car seat inspection Center
  • CPS Technician Search: Find a CPS Technician
  • Safe Kids Maine Car Seat Inspections
  • Bureau of Highway Safety Car Seat Inspection Locations
  • Central Maine Medical Center Child Safety Seat Program
  • Falmouth Child Passenger Safety
  • City of South Portland Child Passenger Safety
  • Windham Child Safety Seat Inspections
  • Westbrook Child Car Seat Installations
  • City of Augusta Child Safety Seat Inspections
  • Call Stephens Memorial Hospital 207-743-1562 x 6955
  • Evariste Bernier at the Cumberland Fire Department
  • John from Bar Harbor Fire Department at 207-288-5533

Good Car Seat Safety Videos for Maine

New car seat regulations in Maine

Maine | Car Seat Installation | Instruction Manual

How to secure your car seat

The Inch Test 

 Car seat check: An easy guide

Infant car seat installation

Resources for More Info on Maine Car Seat Safety

  • New child safety seat laws
  • Child Passenger Safety
  • Maine Car Seat Laws
  • Bureau of Highway Safety Child Passenger Safety Tips
  • Top 5 Things to Do
  • Premature Babies and Babies with Medical Conditions
  • Surprising Dangers of Infant Car Seats
  • Indiana University School of Medicine Best Practice Recommendations
  • Why Car Seats Matter
  • NHTSA Child Seat Recall List
Sam Webster

With two kids of my own, I’m passionate about child safety! I’m a research nerd who’s on a mission to make the world a safer place for kids – starting with car seats!

To contact me directly please click here.

Filed Under: Safety Resources

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Hey! I’m Sam, mom of Sadie and Xavier.

When I started searching for a convertible car seat I was overwhelmed by the choices out there.

But being a research nerd, I relished the challenge of finding the best seat for my needs. And in the process, I gathered a ton of info!

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