Arkansas Child Front Seat Law: Age, Height, Weight Rules
Arkansas law (Ark. Code § 27-34-104) requires children to use a child passenger restraint system until they meet ANY of these criteria:
- Age 6 or older, AND
- Weight ≥ 60 lbs (27 kg), AND
- Height ≥ 4'9" (57 inches / 145 cm).
Clarification: The law does not specify a front-seat age. It mandates proper restraint (car seat / booster / seat belt) based on the above. However:
- AAP & NHTSA recommend: Children under 13 ride in the back seat (airbag risk).
- Arkansas State Police advise: Keep kids rear-facing to max seat limit (≥2 yrs), forward-facing with harness to max (≥4–6 yrs), booster until seat belt fits (typically 4'9", 8–12 yrs), back seat until 13.
Penalties
- Violation = primary offense; fine $25–$100 + court costs.
- Points on license possible.
Best practice: Follow height/weight/age for restraint type + keep in back seat until 13.
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