Anonymous wrote:Age 8, plus this test:

Does the child sit all the way back against the vehicle’s seat?
Is the lap belt below the stomach, touching the thighs?
Is the shoulder belt centered on the shoulder and chest?
Do the child’s knees bend comfortably at the edge of the vehicle’s seat?
Can the child stay seated like this for the whole ride?

If no, keep in booster

+1. If your DC can pass these steps in your car then he's ready for the adult belt.

Anonymous wrote:If he is almost 8 and can sit in the back of the car with the belt across his shoulder and not his neck then you should be ok now.

In Maryland, the law is that under age 8, the child must be in a booster, unless the child is 4'9" or taller or weighs more than 65 pounds. In DC and Virginia, the law is that under age 8, the child must be in a booster.

When he reaches 4'9". Our 9.5 years old is almost there, but not quite so he is still in a booster. We'll use the same measurement for our 5.5 year old too so that will be a while.

13.5, 11 and 14.

4'9", per recommendations of NHTSA and AAP. Age 11 for my oldest (at 50th percentile height and weight.) Younger still in it at 9.5.

My daughter was 12 before she was able to go without (the belt was across her neck), my son was 9.

The booster is really to make sure that the seat belt fits properly; once your kid is tall enough that that is the case, you can drop it.

If he is almost 8 and can sit in the back of the car with the belt across his shoulder and not his neck then you should be ok now. If it is anywhere near his neck he is too small still. It may depend on different cars too.

My DS is fine in my car but in the van if she sits on the bench seat where the gap is to get in the back, the belt is super high and on her neck, so still uses a booster in the van if she sits in that position ( carpool)

Age 8, plus this test:

Does the child sit all the way back against the vehicle’s seat?
Is the lap belt below the stomach, touching the thighs?
Is the shoulder belt centered on the shoulder and chest?
Do the child’s knees bend comfortably at the edge of the vehicle’s seat?
Can the child stay seated like this for the whole ride?

If no, keep in booster

Just after 9.

8.5 for a tall boy.

I am just wondering - did you stop using a booster in the car as soon as the law permitted (I think it's age 8?)? Or later? Our DS is tall for his age and turning 8 this fall, and I am wondering what to do.