Knowing when a child can sit in the front seat of a car is more than a matter of comfort or convenience—it’s a safety decision that can have life-altering consequences. Whether your child is in a car seat, booster seat, or sitting independently of any safety harnesses, experts agree that waiting to move your child to the front seat can prevent serious injury and even save lives.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the back seat is the safest place for children under 13. Most pediatricians and child safety experts, including the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), echo that guidance.
While experts largely agree that a child can sit in the front seat of a car at 13 years old, not all state laws follow the same rules, and parents often find themselves confused about what’s legally required versus what’s recommended.
As a father to four children, I’ve been careful to follow what experts say about children sitting in the front seat of automobiles. Based on expert recommendations, here’s what you should know about the age, height, and weight considerations for children sitting in the front seat. I’ve also listed out every state’s front seat laws and recommendations. While not every state has front seat laws on the books, they all offer guidance for parents.
Also, be sure to check out our articles about car seat expiration guidelines and choosing the right car seat for your child.
Safety Experts Recommend Waiting Until Age 13
The question of when a child can sit in the front seat of a car is pretty straightforward if you approach it from a safety perspective. Waiting until your child is at least 13 years old can reduce the risk of injury by 64%.
Why the Back Seat Is Safer
The back seat provides more protection in a crash, particularly from front airbags that deploy with great force. Children under 13 are especially vulnerable to injury from airbags designed for adult-sized bodies. According to Safe in the Seat, sitting in the back greatly reduces the risk of serious injury.
Airbag Dangers For Young Kids
Even with a seatbelt, a deploying airbag can cause chest, neck, or head trauma to a smaller child. That’s why it’s recommended that kids only ride up front when they are large enough to withstand that force, usually around age 13 or older, depending on their size and maturity. We’ll talk about size requirements in just a moment.
What If There Is No Back Seat?
If your vehicle doesn’t have a back seat, like in a pickup truck or sports car, and you must place a child in the front, turn off the airbag if possible and move the seat as far back as it will go. The California Highway Patrol stresses that this should be a last resort.
Many modern vehicles will detect if a child in the front seat, including their car seat if applicable, weighs less than 100 pounds, and auto-disable the airbag to avoid the potential for serious injury. In other cases, you may be able to choose to turn off your airbag. Consult your vehicle’s manual for more information.
Height, Weight, and Maturity Matter
Physical Readiness
Even if a child has turned 13, their height and weight still play a role in determining if they are safe to sit up front. According to the Maryland Zero Deaths initiative, children should be tall enough for the seatbelt to lie flat across the shoulder and chest and for the lap belt to fit snugly across the upper thighs.
Maturity to Sit Properly
Kids in the front seat must stay properly seated—no slouching, leaning forward, or fiddling with the seatbelt. Maturity is just as necessary as physical size when making this decision.
What About Booster Seats and Car Seats?
While car seats and booster seats add an extra layer of protection for our children, they are not meant to be used in the front seat of vehicles. Here’s what safety experts say about the use of both types of safety devices.
Booster Seats and Front Seat Uses
If your child is still in a booster seat, they should continue riding in the back. The booster may not position them safely in the front, and the added height can make them more vulnerable to airbag impact. The North Carolina Buckle Up program reinforces that booster seat users should remain in the rear seats until they no longer need the booster.
Forward-Facing and Rear-Facing Seats
Rear-facing car seats should never be installed in front of an active airbag. Forward-facing seats are safer in the back and should be placed until your child meets all front seat requirements. According to Safe Ride 4 Kids, the front seat should be reserved for children in adult seatbelts who no longer require any car seat assistance.
State Laws And Suggestions For What Age Kids Can Sit In The Front Seat
Each state has laws and recommendations about when a child can sit in the front seat. Below is a breakdown by state with legal references where applicable. While some states are more lax with their laws and recommendations, I still suggest following the 13-year-old rule before allowing a child to sit in the front seat of any vehicle.
Alabama: No specific law dictates a minimum age, but officials recommend waiting until at least 13. No State Law
Alaska: Children can sit in the front seat at any age, provided they are properly restrained in an appropriate car seat or seatbelt. No State Law
Arizona: There is no legal age limit; however, safety experts recommend that younger children stay in the back. No State Law
Arkansas: No legal requirement exists, but age 13 is recommended. No State Law
California: Kids must be at least 8 years old and taller than 57 inches to legally sit in the front seat. Law: § 23670
Colorado: The law permits children 2 years or older and over 20 pounds to sit up front, but age 13 is the safer standard. Law: § 42-4-236 (2)(a)(II)
Connecticut: No statutory age restrictions; follow best practices and expert guidelines. No State Law
Delaware: The legal threshold for the front seat is 12 years old and 65 inches tall. Law: § 4803
District of Columbia: No specific law; follow federal safety recommendations. No State Law
Florida: Children may ride in the front seat without an age restriction, but experts advise waiting. No State Law
Georgia: Children 8 and older may sit in the front under state law. Law: § 40-8-76 (2022)
Hawaii: No legal mandate, but 13 years old is the suggested minimum. No State Law
Idaho: No legal requirement, though 13 is advised. No State Law
Illinois: No law specifies age; parental discretion and safety best practices apply. No State Law
Indiana: Only children 13 and older may sit up front unless the back seat is unavailable. Law: § 27360
Iowa: Age 13 is recommended despite a lack of state law. No State Law
Kansas: No age restriction by law, but experts recommend waiting until 13. No State Law
Kentucky: No official law exists, but 13 is the commonly advised age. No State Law
Louisiana: Must be 13 or older to legally ride in the front seat unless there is no rear seating. Law: § RS 32:295
Maine: Kids must be at least 12 years old and weigh over 100 pounds to sit up front legally. Law: § 2080-3-C
Maryland: No law, but age 13 is advised. No State Law
Massachusetts: Age 13 is the general safety recommendation in the absence of legislation. No State Law
Michigan: Kids 4 years and older may ride up front by law, but 13 is considered safer. Law: § 257.710d
Minnesota: Safety officials recommend 13 years old, even without a law. No State Law
Mississippi: No state mandate, but 13 is the suggested minimum. No State Law
Missouri: Follow safety guidelines, as no legal age limit exists. No State Law
Montana: Age 13 is generally recommended, though not legally enforced. No State Law
Nebraska: Kids must be eight or older to ride in the front. Law: § 60-6,267
Nevada: The age of 13 is the standard recommendation without a law in place. No State Law
New Hampshire: No law sets a minimum age. No State Law
New Jersey: Children must be at least 8 years old and taller than 57 inches. Law: § 39:3-76.2a
New Mexico: The Legal minimum is 2 years old for front seat occupancy. Law: § 66-7-369
New York: Experts recommend age 13, though no legal rule exists. No State Law
North Carolina: Front seat allowed at 5 years and 40 pounds or more. State Law
North Dakota: No statutory restrictions. No State Law
Ohio: Must be at least 4 years old and 40 pounds. Law: § 5101:2-9-32
Oklahoma: No legal minimum age, but the back seat is highly recommended. No State Law
Oregon: Despite no law, children should be 13 before sitting in the front. No State Law
Pennsylvania: Recommendations suggest age 13 or older. No State Law
Rhode Island: Minimum age is 8. Law: § 31-22-22
South Carolina: Children under eight must sit in the back seat if the back seat is available. Law: § 56-5-6420
South Dakota: Experts suggest age 13 despite no legal guideline. No State Law
Tennessee: Kids must be 9 years or older and 57 inches tall. Law: § 59-5-602
Texas: No age restriction, but under 8 years or 4’9″ must use a safety seat. Section 545.412
Utah: No legal age limit is set. No State Law
Vermont: Children 2 years and 20+ pounds can sit up front, though age 13 is preferred. Law: § 1258
Virginia: Front seat is legal at 8 years old unless no back seat is available. Law: § 46.2-1095
Washington: Must be at least 13 years old, where practical. Law: § 46.61.687-1f
West Virginia: 13 is the advised age, though no law mandates it. No State Law
Wisconsin: Children under 13 are prohibited from the front seat. Law: DCF 252.09-6d
Wyoming: Legal at 9 years old, but age 13 is encouraged. Law: § 31-5-1303
While many states don’t have a legal requirement for when children can sit in the front seat, the safest choice is almost always to wait until your child is at least 13 years old. Guidelines from organizations like the NHTSA, Safe in the Seat, and others consistently reinforce this age benchmark as the ideal time to switch from back to front.
Keeping kids in the back as long as possible, using booster seats appropriately, and ensuring proper seatbelt fit are key steps to keeping your child safe on the road.