If you need the actual Wyoming car seat law — not a guess — this page has it: the restraint stages, the fine for a violation, whether kids can ride up front, and a link to the official statute, all verified against Wyoming Legislature publications.
Law data last verified against official state sources: October 4, 2026.
Quick answer
Wyoming requires every child under 9 to ride in a child safety restraint (not in the front seat); over 8 with an ill-fitting belt, a booster meeting 49 C.F.R. 571.213 is required. First offense: up to $50.
Wyoming car seat requirements by age and size
| Stage | What Wyoming law requires |
|---|---|
| Rear-facing | Not specified in current state law — Wyoming’s 2023 bill (SF0019) that would have required rear-facing until age 2 or the manufacturer limit died in the House (last action 2/27/2023); current law is silent on rear-facing as a stage. |
| Forward-facing | Not specified in state law. |
| Booster seat | A booster seat meeting 49 C.F.R. 571.213 is required for a child over age 8 whose vehicle lap and shoulder belts do not fit properly across the collarbone, chest, and hips and may endanger the neck, face, or abdominal area (per the enacted 2004 amendment). |
| Seat belt only | Age 9 — every child passenger who has not reached the 9th birthday must be properly secured in a child safety restraint system. |
Fines and penalties in Wyoming
Fine: Up to $50 for a first offense (waived with proof the offender acquired a compliant child safety restraint system after the offense); up to $100 for a second or subsequent violation (W.S. 31-5-1304).
Front seat rules in Wyoming
Front-seat rule: Children under 9 must ride in a seat other than the front seat; front seat permitted only if the vehicle has just one row of seats or all safety belts behind the front seat are in use by other child passengers; a rear-facing infant seat must never be placed in front of an active airbag.
The official law
- Statute: W.S. §§ 31-5-1303, 31-5-1304
- Official source: Wyoming Legislature
Research note: Wyoming’s 2023 bill (SF0019) that would have required rear-facing until age 2 died in the House — current law is silent on rear-facing as a stage. The restraint-age threshold is the 9th birthday.
Wyoming car seat law FAQs
What is the fine for a car seat violation in Wyoming?
Fine: Up to $50 for a first offense (waived with proof the offender acquired a compliant child safety restraint system after the offense); up to $100 for a second or subsequent violation (W.S. 31-5-1304).
When can my child stop using a booster seat in Wyoming?
A booster seat meeting 49 C.F.R. 571.213 is required for a child over age 8 whose vehicle lap and shoulder belts do not fit properly across the collarbone, chest, and hips and may endanger the neck, face, or abdominal area (per the enacted 2004 amendment). Age 9 — every child passenger who has not reached the 9th birthday must be properly secured in a child safety restraint system.
Does Wyoming law require rear-facing car seats?
Not specified in current state law — Wyoming’s 2023 bill (SF0019) that would have required rear-facing until age 2 or the manufacturer limit died in the House (last action 2/27/2023); current law is silent on rear-facing as a stage.
Can my child ride in the front seat in Wyoming?
Front-seat rule: Children under 9 must ride in a seat other than the front seat; front seat permitted only if the vehicle has just one row of seats or all safety belts behind the front seat are in use by other child passengers; a rear-facing infant seat must never be placed in front of an active airbag.
Where can I read the official Wyoming car seat law?
Statute: W.S. §§ 31-5-1303, 31-5-1304 Official source: Wyoming 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.