Booster Seats (Under 9 Years)
New regulations
Starting July 1, 2008, new regulations will require the use of booster seats for children until their 9th birthday unless they have reached the height of 145cm (4'9") tall. Booster seats save lives. Why wait until 2008 to put your child in a booster seat?
Use the right safety seat for your child
- This stage starts when your child is over 18 kg (40lb.).
- It lasts 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
- Children who have outgrown their forward-facing child seat should use a booster until they are 9 years of age unless they have reached the height of 145cm (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 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 manufacturers instructions and read your vehicle owners manual.
Need convincing? Watch the Traffic Safety Foundations
three booster seat videos. One is for children and two 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 rest. Must be used with a shoulder and lap belt.
- Backless booster —
Can be used when the 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 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.
- Shield booster —
This booster is used in vehicles equipped with a lap belt only. Some have a removable shield so you can use it as a backless booster. If used as a backless booster, it must be used with a lap and shoulder seat belt.
Installing the booster seat
Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions for your booster seat and read the vehicle owner’s manual.
Use the following quick checklist to ensure your booster seat is installed correctly:
- Booster seat faces the front of the vehicle.
- Lap belt is snug over the hips (not the abdomen).
- Shoulder belt is snug over the chest and middle of the shoulder.
Using your child’s booster seat
- Lap and shoulder belts fit snugly across your childs 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 145 cm (4' 9") tall.
More information
For more information, be sure to check:
BCAA Traffic Safety Foundation / ICBC Child Passenger Safety Program