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Our twins were born before our oldest turned two, so my wife and I spent a ton of time researching car seats! At the time, the Honda Odyssey was the only minivan we could find that safely fit three car seats on the same row.
Car seats are an essential safety feature for children, and you must ensure you use one when driving with your child. According to the CDC, car accidents are the leading cause of death in children, and in 2017, 675 children were involved in fatal accidents, and another 116,000 were injured. In 35% of these cases, the children were not buckled up properly, meaning these deaths could have been avoided using a car seat and a seatbelt. Unfortunately, most people are unsure how long they need to use a car seat and the laws around car seats in Oklahoma. This guide will tell you everything you should know about Oklahoma car seat laws and how to use a car seat correctly. So you can make sure that your child is always safe and that you are following the guidelines correctly.
Oklahoma Car Seat Laws by Age
Oklahoma’s car seat regulations are age-specific and, in certain cases, height-specific.Infants (0–2 Years)

Toddlers (2–4 Years)
Post-toddlerhood, children are no longer legally required to be in rear-facing seats but must be in forward-facing car seats until they turn four.Young Children (4–8 Years)
Contrary to popular belief, children between four and eight years of age must use a car seat or booster seat unless they exceed 4’9” in height.Older Children (8 Years and Above)
Children aged eight or taller than 4’9” are not mandated by law to use a car seat but are required to wear a seatbelt in the vehicle.
Consequences for Non-Compliance
Failing to adhere to Oklahoma car seat laws can lead to fines of up to $100, points on your driving record, and possible criminal charges for repeat violations.Selecting the Appropriate Car Seat
Your child’s safety hinges on choosing the right car seat and using it correctly.Car Seat Categories

- Infant Car Seats: Tailored for newborns and infants, these seats are exclusively rear-facing and are a legal requirement for infants.
- Convertible Car Seats: Adaptable seats that can be modified from rear-facing to forward-facing to accommodate your growing child.
- All-in-One Car Seats: These seats offer the full spectrum of transitions from rear-facing to forward-facing and eventually to booster seats, suitable until your child is eight years old.
Considerations When Purchasing a Used Car Seat
While pre-owned car seats can offer financial savings, verifying that they have not expired or been compromised in an accident is imperative, as this could affect their safety performance.Supportive Oklahoma Car Seat Programs
For guidance and support with car seats, the following resources are available:- OU Children’s Hospital
- Oklahoma State Department of Health
- Oklahoma Highway Safety Office
- Central Oklahoma Healthy Start