Child Passenger Restraint Laws

Iowa

• Infants 12 months and younger and weighing less than 20 pounds must be restrained in a rear-facing safety seat.
  
• Children 5 and younger (except those aged 12 months and younger who weigh less than 20 pounds) must be restrained in a safety seat or booster seat.
  
• Children between the ages of 6 and 10 must be restrained in a seat belt, booster seat, or safety seat.
  
• Law applies to all seating positions.
  
• Child safety seats must be used according to manufacturer’s directions.
  
• The child must be secured in the seat and the safety seat must be secured in the vehicle.
  
• Safety seats must meet federal motor vehicle standards.
  
• Enforcement is primary
  

Minnesota

• Children under four must be secured in a safety seat that meets federal safety standards
• Safety seats must be installed and used according to the manufacturer's instructions
• Seat must be secured to the vehicle
• Infants (under 20 pounds and one year of age) must be in a rear-facing safety seat
• Law applies to all motor vehicles originally equipped with factory-installed seat belts
• Law applies to all seating positions
• Driver is responsible
• Petty misdemeanor fine for violation is $50 (may be waived if violator shows proof of obtaining a safety seat within 14 days)
• Applies to both residents and non-residents of Minnesota
• Suspected non-use is a valid basis to stop a motor vehicle

Exceptions

• Children riding in emergency medical vehicles
• Children riding in a motor vehicle for hire
• Children riding with a peace officer on official duty
• Children certified by a licensed physician as having a medical, physical or mental disability that makes restraint use inadvisable
• Passengers in school buses

AAA Minnesota/Iowa recommends that children under 80 pounds should sit in an appropriate child safety seat (or booster seat). In addition, children under the age of 13 should sit in the rear of a vehicle. These laws are minimum safety standards, and does not reflect best practices for properly securing children within vehicles.