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 145 cm (4'9") tall.
Use the right car seat for your child
- Starts when your child is over 18 kg (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 145 cm (4' 9") tall.
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Look for a label that says the booster safety seat complies with Canadian Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (CMVSS).
- 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 18 kg (40 lb.) a booster seat will correctly position the vehicle seat belt over your child’s shoulders across the chest 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 145 cm (4' 9") tall.
Always follow the manufacturers instructions and read your vehicle owners 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.
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 retraint is present. Must be used with a shoulder and lap belt.
- Child/booster seat (combination) —
As its name implies, this type of child 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
Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions for your booster seat and read the vehicle owner’s manual.
- I have read manufacturer’s instructions.
- Booster seat faces the front of the vehicle.
- Booster seat flat on vehicle seat.
- Lap belt is snug over the hips (not the abdomen).
- Shoulder belt is snug over 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 145 cm (4' 9") tall.
More information
For more information, be sure to check:
BCAA Traffic Safety Foundation / ICBC Child Passenger Safety Program