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The Most Important Passengers
Choose the Right Car Seat for your Child
As children grow and change, the type of protection system required also changes.
Less than 1 year oldUntil 1 year of age your child must use a rear-facing child car seat when traveling in a car, van or truck. |
1-4 years oldKeep your child in a rear-facing child car seat as long as possible and avoid moving your child forward-facing too soon. A rear-facing child seat that is appropropriate for their weight and height decreases the chance of your child being injured. |
4-9 years oldIf your child is between 4 and 9 years old, the type of restraint system that will provide the most protection depends on the child’s weight and height. |
Over 9 years oldAlthough the law allows children over 9 years old to use the seat belt, the best protection for your child depends on their height. |
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Learn more about Infant-only Seats
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My child weighs less than 9kg All children less than 10 kg (22lb) must be secured in a rear-facing child car seat when traveling in a car, van or truck.
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My child weighs less than 18kg (40lb) Children less than 18 kg (40lb) must continue to use a forward-facing child car seat with harness straps. Learn more about Forward-facing Child Car Seats
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My child is less than 146 cm (4'9") tall If your child is under 145 cm (4’9″) they are probably too short to use the seat belt alone. In this case the best protection for your child is to use a booster seat.
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My child weighs between 10 kg (22 lb) to 20.4 kg (45 lb) You should keep your child rear-facing as long as possible in a child seat that is appropriate for this weight range. The two factors that will prevent you from keeping your child rear-facing are:
Your child weighs more than the child car seat weight limit for rear-facing
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My child weighs over 18 kg (40lb) and is under 145 cm (4'9") in height If your child weighs over 18 kg (40 lb) and is under 145 cm (4’9”) they can either be in a harnessed forward-facing child seat or a booster seat when traveling in a vehicle. It is recommended that children under four years old remain in a harnessed forward-facing child seat. Booster seats must be used with a lap and shoulder seat belt, even if that means the child must sit in the front passenger seat. Children take priority over adults in using a lap and shoulder seat belt. If your child needs to sit in the front passenger seat, move the vehicle seat as far back as it will go so the child is more than 30 cm (12″) away from the dash or an active air bag. If your vehicle only has lap seat belts available, the booster seat cannot be used. In this case your child must be secured in the lap seat belt without a booster seat. Using a booster seat with only a lap belt is more dangerous than using the lap belt alone.
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My child is over 146 cm (4'9") tall If your child is over 145 cm (4’9″) they can use the lap and shoulder seat belt without a booster seat. Children must use a lap and shoulder seat belt if one is available, even if that means the child must sit in the front passenger seat. Children take priority over adults in using a lap and shoulder seat belt. If you need to use the front passenger seat for your child, make sure the seat is as far back as possible from the dash or an active air bag. |
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My child weighs between 18 kg (40lb) and 30 kg (65lb) At this weight range your child can either be in a harnessed forward-facing child seat or in a booster seat. It is recommended that children under four years old remain in a forward-facing child seat with harness straps. |
My child is over 146 cm (4'9") tall If you need to use the front passenger seat for your child, make sure the seat is as far back as possible from the dash or an active air bag
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My child weighs over 30 kg (65lb) At this weight your child can be secured in a booster seat using the lap and shoulder seat belt in your car, van or truck. |
Installing a child car seat and securing your child
Now it's time to properly install the child car seat in your vehicle and correctly secure your child.
Infant-only Seats
Rear-Facing Child Car Seats
Forward-Facing Child Car Seats
Booster Seats
Seat Belts
Resources
Birth to 1 Year
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Download |
Over 1 Year
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Download |
Under 9 Years
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Download |
9 Years and Over
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Download |
Getting Your Child to Use a Booster Seat
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Download |
Choosing the Right Child Car Seat Brochure – English
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Download |
Choosing the Right Child Car Seat Brochure – Punjabi
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Download |
Choosing the Right Child Car Seat Brochure – Chinese Simplified
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Download |
Choosing the Right Child Car Seat Brochure – Chinese Traditional
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Download |
Buying a Used Child Car Seat
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Download |
Are You Using the Right Car Seat for Your Child? – Poster
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Download |
Frequently Asked Questions
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Download |
BC Child Transportation Rules
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Link |
Transport Canada – Recalls, Stages, FAQs
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Link |
Child Safety Link
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Link |
Transport Canada – Expiry Dates on Child Car Seats and Booster Seats
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Link |
Blog Section
Offering expert advice, useful articles, inspiring stories and simple tips to help you navigate life’s many roads.
Keeping kids safe on the road
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Car seat guide: how to choose the right seat for your child
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