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

January 15, 2021 by Sam Webster Leave a Comment

Did you know that New Hampshire has a lower seat belt usage average than any other state, and 907 people died in car accidents in 2017 - which was the 9th highest in the United States?

The best way to protect yourself and your children on the road is to use restraint – seat belt restraints!

We’ve got some information on this page to help you do just that…

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

New Hampshire Car Seat Law

According to New Hampshire state law, any child under the age of eighteen riding as a passenger in a motor vehicle be secured by either a seat belt or a child safety seat and that any child under the age of seven be secured by an approved child restraint (RSA 265:107-a)

New Hampshire Infant Car Seat Law

New Hampshire law requires all children under the age of seven should be secured in a federally approved restraint system. It is prescribed by the experts that children from birth to 12-month age should travel in infant-only seats.  

New Hampshire Rear-facing Car Seat Law

As the New Hampshire law requires a proper restraint system, a rear-facing seat is a good choice for children who are 12-months to 2 years of age. However, the best practice is to keep the child rear-facing as long as possible; it is safest for them.

New Hampshire Forward-facing Car Seat Law

There are no age, height and weight requirements for forward-facing seats in the New Hampshire law. Instead, you’ll follow car seat manufacturer’s guidelines for your seat and they fall within the law.

Child Booster Seat Laws in New Hampshire

Booster seats are used when the child has outgrown the safety limits of the forward-facing child seat. Booster seats are required up to the age of 8 years unless the child has reached 57” height. The best practice is to also look at the size of your child. You could have a 7-year-old who is tall, but extremely lightweight. You want to pay attention to where the seat belt is laying on the child. Again you should take into consideration child and seat.


Note that these too are best practices. According to New Hampshire law you need to use an appropriate safety system until the age of 7.

When Can My Child Sit in the Front Seat in New Hampshire?

There are no laws in New Hampshire for front seat. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that all children under the age of 13 should travel in the back seat. Airbags can prove fatal for the child; the back seat is the safest option for children.

Leaving Child in Car Law in New Hampshire

No law exists in New Hampshire regarding leaving children unattended in a vehicle. The NH statute 639:3 Endangering the Welfare of a Child could and has often been applied, depending on the circumstances.  The language of this law doesn’t specifically mention children unattended in cars, but it could realistically be applied. 

Is it Illegal to Smoke in a Car with a Child in New Hampshire?

New Hampshire is trying to make it illegal through bill HB 230 (2019) to smoke if there is a passenger under the age of 16 in a vehicle.

Taxi Car Seat Law in New Hampshire

Taxis are not required to follow child restraint laws in New Hampshire. 

New Hampshire Law Car Seat - Replacement After Accident

There is no law in New Hampshire that will force you to buy a new car seat in case of an accident. However, we should remember that using a car seat that has been in a major crash is highly dangerous. Most insurance companies replace car seats in case of an accident. Tip: make sure the police officer is writing down what brand, serial number, and where the seat was located.

Places to Get Car Seat Help in New Hampshire

Here are some resources that can help you with the car seat inspection and provide you further help.

  • List of New Hampshire Safety Seat Inspection Stations
  • Car Seat Stations listed by County
  • Safe Kids New Hampshire
  • CPS Technician Search: Find a CPS Technician
  • NHTSA car seat inspection Center
  • Bedford Fire Department Car Seat Inspections
  • Town of Salem Child Passenger Car Seat Installation
  • Heidi Richard @ Gorham Family Resource Center - 603-723-6462

Good Car Seat Videos for New Hampshirite Parents

Why Car Seats

5 Step Test to Make Sure Car Seat is Safe

The Inch Test 

Infant car seat installation

Safe Kids Worldwide: How to secure your car seat

Safe Kids Worldwide: Is it time to move from a booster to a seat belt?

Car seat check: An easy guide

Child Passenger Safety - Booster Seats

Child Passenger Safety - Harness Fit

Counterfeit Car Seats

Safe Rides

Resources for More Info on New Hampshire Car Seat Safety

  • Stages of Seat Safety - Stage 1 Installation
  • Stages of Seat Safety - Stage 2 Installation
  • Stages of Seat Safety - Stage 3 Installation
  • Car Seat Recommendations
  • Children’s Hospital at Dartmouth-Hitchcock - Child Passenger Law  
  • American Academy of Pediatrics Car Seat Recommendations
  • American Automobile Association Car Seat Guide
  • Safe Kids Worldwide Ultimate Car Seat guide
  • NHTSA Car Seat Recommendations for Children
  • Why Use Rear-facing Car Seats?
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.

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