Maine’s child passenger safety law sets specific age, weight, and height thresholds for car seats and boosters. This guide lays out the current requirements as published by the official Maine State Legislature, plus penalties, front-seat rules, and answers to the questions parents ask most.
Law data last verified against official state sources: October 4, 2026.
Quick answer
Maine requires rear-facing under age 2, an internal-harness seat under 55 lbs, a belt-positioning seat under age 8/80 lbs/57 in, rear-seat riding under 12, and belts for everyone under 18. Fines: $50/$125/$250.
Maine car seat requirements by age and size
| Stage | What Maine law requires |
|---|---|
| Rear-facing | Child less than 2 years of age: properly secured in a rear-facing child restraint system (or convertible system in the rear-facing position), except if the child exceeds the manufacturer-recommended rear-facing weight/height limit, in which case a forward-facing position is permitted. |
| Forward-facing | Child 2 years of age or older weighing less than 55 pounds: secured in a child restraint system with an internal harness (if the child exceeds the manufacturer’s height limit for that system, a federally approved belt positioning seat is used instead). |
| Booster seat | Child weighing less than 80 pounds, less than 57 inches tall, and less than 8 years of age: secured in a belt positioning seat or other child restraint system. |
| Seat belt only | Any passenger under 18 not covered above: seat belt. In practice the child-restraint requirement ends at 8 years of age (with 80 lb / 57 in thresholds); 18+ must also belt. |
Fines and penalties in Maine
Fine: Traffic infraction: $50 for the first offense, $125 for the second offense, $250 for the third and subsequent offenses; fines may not be suspended.
Front seat rules in Maine
Front-seat rule: Child less than 12 years of age must be secured in the rear seat of the vehicle, if possible.
The official law
- Statute: 29-A M.R.S.A. § 2081
- Official source: Maine State Legislature
Maine car seat law FAQs
What is the fine for a car seat violation in Maine?
Fine: Traffic infraction: $50 for the first offense, $125 for the second offense, $250 for the third and subsequent offenses; fines may not be suspended.
When can my child stop using a booster seat in Maine?
Child weighing less than 80 pounds, less than 57 inches tall, and less than 8 years of age: secured in a belt positioning seat or other child restraint system. Any passenger under 18 not covered above: seat belt. In practice the child-restraint requirement ends at 8 years of age (with 80 lb / 57 in thresholds); 18+ must also belt.
Does Maine law require rear-facing car seats?
Child less than 2 years of age: properly secured in a rear-facing child restraint system (or convertible system in the rear-facing position), except if the child exceeds the manufacturer-recommended rear-facing weight/height limit, in which case a forward-facing position is permitted.
Can my child ride in the front seat in Maine?
Front-seat rule: Child less than 12 years of age must be secured in the rear seat of the vehicle, if possible.
Where can I read the official Maine car seat law?
Statute: 29-A M.R.S.A. § 2081 Official source: Maine State Legislature.
Check another state
Driving across state lines? Requirements change at the border — use our interactive car seat law checker to look up any state by your child’s age, weight, and height.
Related state guides:
This page is for general informational purposes only and is not legal advice. Child passenger safety laws change — always verify current requirements with your state’s DMV, highway safety office, or the official statute linked below before making decisions.