+ A child must ride rear facing until the age of 24 months. (Title 29-A Sec. 2081.2-A)
+ A child must ride in a rear facing, or forward facing 5-point harness car seat until they are 55 lbs. (Title 29-A sec. 2081.2-B)
+ Rear facing car seats can NEVER be installed in front of an active air bag. (Title 29-A Sec. 2081.2-A)
+ Car seat harnesses must be snug. You should not be able to pinch excess harness at the child's shoulders (Title 29-A Sec. 2081.2-A, 2B )
+ Harness clips should be at the child's armpit level. ( Title 29-A Sec. 2081.2-A, 2B)
+ The harness should be coming out of the car seat's harness slot at or below the child's shoulders while riding rear facing (Title 29-A Sec. 2081.2-A)
+ The harness should be coming out of the car seat's harness slot at or above the child's shoulders while riding facing forward (Title 29-A Sec. 2081.2-B)
+ The car seat needs to be secured to the vehicle using a seat belt or the lower anchors, NOT both. (Title 29-A Sec.2081.2-A, 2-B)
+ Children must ride in a forward facing harness seat or a booster seat until they are 8 years of age, 80 lbs, and 4'9" tall. (Title 29-A Sec. 2081.3-A)
+ Booster seats can only be used with a lap and shoulder belt. ( Title 29-A Sec. 2081.3-A )
+ Children must ride in the back seat ( when available ) until they are 12-years old and 100 lbs. (Title 29-A Sec. 2081.3-C)
(2-A) 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 seat belts, the operator shall ensure that the child is properly secured in a rear-facing child restraint system or convertible child restraint system properly secured in the rear-facing position in accordance with the child restraint system manufacturer's instructions and the vehicle manufacturer's instructions, except if the child is in a convertible child restraint system and the child exceeds the manufacturer recommended weight limit for the rear-facing position the child may be properly secured in a forward-facing position in accordance with the child restraint system manufacturer's instructions and the vehicle manufacturer's instructions.
(2-B) When a child who is 2 years of age or older and who weighs less than 55 pounds is being transported in a motor vehicle that is required by the United States Department of Transportation to be equipped with seat belts, the operator shall ensure that the child is properly secured in a child restraint system in accordance with the child restraint system manufacturer's instructions and the vehicle manufacturer's instructions.
Passengers less than 18 years of age. Except as provided in subsections 2-A and 2-B, the following provisions apply to passengers less than 18 years of age riding in a vehicle that is required by the United States Department of Transportation to be equipped with seat belts.
A. The operator shall ensure that a child who weighs less than 80 pounds, who is less than 57 inches in height and who is less than 8 years of age is properly secured in a belt positioning seat in accordance with the child restraint system manufacturer's instructions and the vehicle manufacturer's instructions.
B. The operator shall ensure that a child who is less than 18 years of age and who is not required to be secured under paragraph A or subsection 2‑A or 2‑B is properly secured in a seat belt.
C. The operator shall ensure that a child who is less than 12 years of age and who weighs less than 100 pounds is properly secured in the rear seat of a vehicle, if possible.
Maine Law Title 29-A Sec. 2081
Child Safety Seats