New car seat regulations are here — what do parents need to know?

Car seat safety requirements changed last month — let’s catch you up.

After June 30, 2025, car seats made for children under 40 pounds must pass new side-impact crash testing, which better mimics real-world collisions. This will result in some changes to car seat features.

You can expect to see:

• Maximum weight for most infant seats will be 30 pounds
  • Most convertible seats may still have higher rear-facing weight limits, often up to 40-50 pounds
• Minimum weight for forward-facing in a car seat will be 26.5 pounds
• Minimum for booster seats will be at least 40 pounds and 43.3 inches tall
  • As such, boosters will not be subject to the new side-impact testing requirement
• Some seats will be made with improved energy-absorbing materials
• Some seats will have enhanced head rests and side wings

Why are these changes important?

While front-end vehicle crashes are the most common (and the most dangerous), they are closely followed by side-impact crashes, commonly called “T-bone” collisions. When these lateral crashes happen, occupants need extra protection, as the sides of a vehicle offer less of a “crumple zone” to absorb impact than the front.

Many car seat manufacturers have been doing their own voluntary side-impact testing for years, but now testing will be standardized — which is a good thing.

The changes to car seat weight ranges follow what we already know: It is safest to stay in each stage as long as possible. Make sure to always follow the limits and manufacturer instructions of your child’s car seat — but it’s recommended to keep them rear-facing as long as possible, then in a forward-facing harness as long as possible, and so on.

Does this mean your current car seat is unsafe?

No. As long as your car seat is not expired, recalled or damaged — and you’re using it correctly, per manufacturer instructions — your seat is safe. Your vehicle may not be the newest or have the latest safety features, but you wouldn’t immediately trade it in when a safer one becomes available.

But when you are in the market for a new car seat, it’s not a bad idea to look for one that meets the updated standards, called FMVSS 213a (and stay tuned for more changes, called FMVSS 213b, by the end of 2026).

Although some car seats on store shelves already adhere to the new standards, don’t assume every car seat will meet them after July 1. The updated regulations apply to seats manufactured after June 30, 2025. Older seats can (and will) still be sold by retailers for some time.

Our certified child passenger safety technicians are here to help answer your questions or teach you how to use your car seat correctly.