Booster Seats (Under 9 Years)

New laws in effect July 1, 2008

All children must use booster seats until their 9th birthday unless they have reached the height of 145cm (4’9”) tall.

Use the right safety seat for your child

  • Start when your child is over 18kg (40 lb.).
  • Until your child reaches 9 years of age unless they have reached the height of 145 cm (4’9”) tall.

Download and print our Booster Seats (Under 9 Years) Fact Sheet. [PDF]

Key points for booster seats

  • All drivers must ensure all children over 18 kg (40 lb) use a booster seat until they are 9 years of age unless they have reached the height of 145cm (4’9”) tall.
  • Look for a label that says the booster safety seat complies with Canadian Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (CMVSS). Insert graphic of label.
  • Seat belts are designed to fit adults.
  • Children under 9 who are using a seat belt without an appropriate booster seat are at increased risk of serious injury and/or death in the event of a crash.
  • If your child is over 18kg (40 lb.)a booster seat will correctly position the vehicle seat belt over your child’s shoulders and across the hips, significantly reducing the risk of injury and/or death.
  • Keep your child in a booster seat until their 9th birthday unless they have reached the height of 145cm (4’9”) tall.
 Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions and read your vehicle owner’s manual.

Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions and read your vehicle owner’s manual.

 Need convincing?  Watch the Traffic Safety foundations four booster seat videos. One is for children and three are intended for parents, grandparents and others who drive them.

Need to convince your child?  Check out our booster seat tip sheet.

Different booster seat styles to choose from

Just like the previous stages, there are different styles of booster seats to choose from.

  • High back booster – Recommended for use when there is no vehicle head restraint. Must be used with a shoulder and lap belt.
  • Backless booster – Can be used when the vehicle seat backs are high and a head rest is present. Must be used with a shoulder and lap belt.
  • Child / booster seat (combination) – As its name implies, this type of child car seat can be used during two stages. In the first stage, a 5 point harness secures the child and the child seat requires the use of a tether strap. Once your child reaches the upper weight limit for use with the harness, it can be converted to a belt-positioning booster seat. When the harness is removed, the booster seat must be used with a lap and shoulder belt.
  • If no lap/shoulder belts is available, your child must be secured by a lap belt without a booster seat.

Booster seat checklist

Use the following quick checklist to ensure your booster seat is installed correctly:

# I have read manufacturer’s instructions.
# Booster seat faces the front of the vehicle.
# Booster seat sits flat on vehicle seat.
# Lap belt is snug over the hips (not the abdomen).
# Shoulder belt is snug across the chest and middle of the shoulder.
# Booster seat is secured in the vehicle even if your child is not in the seat.
# Your child is not allowed to place the shoulder belt behind his or her back or under the arm(s.)

Your child should be in a booster seat until their 9th birthday unless they have reached the height of 145c (4’ 9”) tall.

Using your child’s booster seat
# Lap and shoulder belts fit snugly across your child’s shoulder and across their hips.
# Booster seat is secured in the vehicle even if your child is not in the seat.
# Your child is not allowed to place the shoulder belt behind his or her back or under the arm(s.)

Your child should be in a booster seat until their 9th birthday unless they have reached the height of 145cm (4’9”) tall.

 

  Download and print the following resources:

More information

For more information, be sure to check:

BCAA Traffic Safety Foundation / ICBC Child Passenger Safety Program