Maryland updated its child passenger safety law in October 2022 to require rear-facing until age 2, and the results are visible — the state’s traffic fatalities dropped 18% in 2025 to the lowest level in a decade. Maryland’s law now requires a car seat or booster through age 8 (or 4’9″), mandates rear-facing until 2, and covers all children through age 16 with a seat belt requirement. One detail that sets Maryland apart: rideshare vehicles (Uber, Lyft) are explicitly NOT exempt from the child restraint law, even though taxis are. I’ve worked with families across the state — from the DC suburbs to the Eastern Shore — and that rideshare distinction is the one that catches most parents off guard.
Maryland recorded 582 traffic fatalities in 2024, but 2025 brought major improvement: fatalities dropped to 480, the first time below 500 since 2014. Pedestrian and bicycle deaths fell 33%, and motorcycle fatalities plummeted 46%. Governor Moore attributed the improvement to enforcement and infrastructure investments, but Maryland’s traffic fatality rate had increased 31% over the prior decade, so the 2025 numbers represent a welcome reversal rather than a long-term trend.
This guide breaks down every requirement in Maryland’s current child passenger safety law, explains the fines and enforcement rules, covers special situations, and answers the most common questions parents ask.
View our lists of free car seat programs by type:
Maryland car seat laws by age
Maryland’s child restraint statute (MD Transportation Code § 22-412.2) requires age-appropriate restraints for all children through age 16:
Rear-facing (under age 2): Children under 2 must ride in a rear-facing car seat appropriate for their weight and height. Maryland mandated rear-facing until age 2 starting in October 2022. The AAP recommends rear-facing as long as the seat allows — most modern seats rear-face to 40–50 pounds.
Forward-facing with harness (ages 2–4+): Children 2 and older who have outgrown the rear-facing position must ride in a forward-facing car seat with an internal harness until they outgrow the seat’s weight or height limits (typically 40–65 pounds).
Booster seat (ages 4–8, under 4’9″): Children under 8 who have outgrown a harnessed seat must use a belt-positioning booster seat. The requirement ends when the child turns 8 or reaches 4’9″ tall.
Seat belt (ages 8–16): Children 8 through 16 who are at least 4’9″ must wear a seat belt in every seating position. Maryland’s seat belt law covers all passengers.
Back seat recommendation: Maryland recommends all children under 13 ride in the back seat. This is a strong safety recommendation. Children in rear-facing seats must never be placed in front of an active airbag.
If you’re not sure which seat fits your child’s current stage, our best-rated convertible car seats guide covers every transition from rear-facing infant through booster-ready child.
Fines and enforcement
Maryland’s child restraint violations carry:
Fine: Up to $50 for a first offense. Subsequent offenses can carry higher penalties.
Maryland’s child restraint law is a primary enforcement law — an officer can pull you over solely for observing an improperly restrained child.
No points are assessed on your driver’s license for a child restraint violation in Maryland.
Special situations
Taxis: Maryland explicitly exempts taxis from child restraint requirements.
Rideshares (Uber/Lyft): Rideshare vehicles are NOT exempt from Maryland’s child restraint law. Uber and Lyft drivers must follow the same child passenger safety requirements as private vehicles. Bring a car seat when traveling with a child.
Vehicles without back seats: If the vehicle has no rear seat, a child may ride in the front seat with an appropriate restraint — but never in front of an active airbag in a rear-facing seat.
Leaving a child unattended in a vehicle: Maryland law prohibits leaving a child under 8 unattended in a motor vehicle. The child must be supervised by someone at least 13 years old.
Smoking in a vehicle with children: Maryland prohibits smoking in a motor vehicle when a child under 8 is present. Violation carries a fine of up to $50.
Car seat replacement after a crash: No state law requires it, but NHTSA and all major manufacturers recommend replacing any seat involved in a moderate-to-severe crash.
What to do if you get a ticket
1. Get the correct car seat immediately. Ensure it matches your child’s current age, weight, and height.
2. Get it inspected. Maryland’s Kids In Safety Seats (KISS) program offers free car seat inspections statewide. Safe Kids Maryland coalitions in Baltimore, Montgomery County, and other areas hold regular events. You can also find a certified technician through the NHTSA technician locator.
3. Bring documentation to court. Proof of compliance can help at your hearing.
If you need a free or low-cost car seat, check our guide to free car seats in Maryland for verified programs.
Frequently Asked Questions
When can my child sit in the front seat in Maryland?
Maryland recommends all children under 13 ride in the back seat but does not set a strict legal age for front-seat riding. Any child in a rear-facing seat must never be placed in front of an active airbag.
What is the fine for a car seat violation in Maryland?
Up to $50 for a first offense, with higher penalties for subsequent violations. No points are added to your license.
Does Maryland require rear-facing until age 2?
Yes — since October 2022, Maryland requires children under 2 to ride rear-facing in a car seat appropriate for their weight and height. Our best-rated convertible car seats guide includes seats that rear-face to 40–50 pounds.
Are Uber and Lyft exempt from car seat laws in Maryland?
No — rideshare vehicles are explicitly NOT exempt from Maryland’s child restraint law, even though taxis are. If you’re traveling with a child via Uber or Lyft, you must provide and install an appropriate car seat.
Can I use a secondhand car seat in Maryland?
Maryland doesn’t prohibit used car seats, but verify the seat hasn’t been in a crash, isn’t expired, isn’t recalled, and has all original parts. Check the NHTSA recall database before using any secondhand seat. Our guide on what to do with old car seats covers safe disposal options.
Where can I get my car seat inspected in Maryland?
Maryland’s KISS (Kids In Safety Seats) program offers free inspections statewide. Safe Kids Maryland coalitions in Baltimore, Montgomery County, Prince George’s County, and other areas hold regular events. Many fire stations throughout the state also offer inspections. Find a certified CPS technician near you through NHTSA’s locator.
