When should I move my child from a car seat into a booster seat?
Forward Facing Car Seat		Booster Seat

Probably the most frequently asked question about booster seats is: "When should (or can) I move my child from their car seat into a booster seat?" The answer is not always black and white. There is no absolute age, weight or height that applies in every circumstance. The best answer to the question is: "Move the child into a booster seat when they have outgrown their car seat." The Oklahoma Child Restraint Law requires that every child under the age of six (five years and younger) be properly restrained in either a car seat or a booster seat. A child can legally be placed in a seat belt when they reach six years old, but this is not recommended unless they are at least 4'9" tall. 

Whichever seat you use, it must "fit" the child. This means the child's height and weight must fall within the range for which the seat is rated. In addition to the car seat instruction manual, every car seat and booster seat should have a sticker or placard on the shell of the seat which lists both the minimum and maximum weight and height limits for that particular seat. If the sticker or placard is missing, you should not use the seat unless you know its' history of use (it may have been involved in a crash, been abused, been recalled, or have other problems). Current recommendations are that a seat which is more than six (6) years old should be replaced. Some newer model seats also have a "do not use after" date stamped on them. If you do choose to use a seat with missing labels, contact the seat manufacturer to determine the minimum and maximum height and weight for use. Also remember that with convertible or combination car seats, there will be different weight and height ratings depending on whether it is being used as a car seat or a booster seat (to better understand the difference between seat types, click the "Need help deciding which child restraint is right for your child?" question on the Child Passenger Safety page). Whichever seat is used, be sure that the child’s height and weight fall within the minimum and maximum ratings for that seat.

In this example, the minimum weight to use this forward facing car seat is 22 pounds and the maximum is 40 pounds. Once the child weighs more than 40 pounds or is over 43 inches tall, they have outgrown this car seat and you should either move them into a booster seat, or obtain a car seat that has a greater weight or height limit. One consideration should be the child who is rather heavy for their age, but still short in height. It would probably be better to purchase another car seat with a higher weight rating to offer them the greater protection afforded by a car seat using the internal harness. It is recommended that the child ride in the car seat or booster seat until the reach the maximum weight and height limits for that particular seat.