New Mexico Car Seat Laws 2023 (Rear, Forward & Booster)

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Attention, New Mexico residents! Are you aware of the state’s car seat laws? As a parent or caregiver, the safety of your children is of the utmost importance.

The New Mexico car seat laws require all children under 7 years of age or weighing less than 60 pounds to be secured in a child safety seat, and children between 7 and 12 years old to use a booster seat until the adult seat belt fits properly.

By understanding and adhering to these laws, you can ensure the safety of your children and avoid any fines.

Don’t take any chances when it comes to the well-being of your loved ones.

Make sure you understand the New Mexico car seat laws before you hit the road.


New Mexico Rear-Facing Car Seat Law

Did you know that under the NM car seat laws, all children who are up to 1 year old and weigh 20 pounds must remain in the rear facing car seat?

That’s right, the New Mexico rear-facing car seat law requires children to stay rear facing until they reach these milestones, but it’s actually recommended that kids stay rear facing until around 35 pounds.

Make sure you’re following the New Mexico car seat laws to keep your little ones safe on the road.

To learn more about rear-facing car seat laws in other US states, you can check out Florida, Indiana, and Michigan rear-facing car seat laws.

New Mexico Forward-Facing Car Seat Law

It’s important to remember that forward-facing car seats are required in Mexico for children until they are 5 years old and 40 pounds, but some forward-facing car seat models can be used up to 60 pounds or more.

Make sure you’re using the appropriate seat for your child’s age and size to keep them safe on the road. Follow the New Mexico car seat laws to ensure your child is properly secured while driving.

To learn more about forward-facing car seat laws in other US states, you can check out Georgia, Illinois, and California forward-facing car seat laws.

New Mexico Booster Seat Law

If you’re living in New Mexico, it’s important to know the state’s booster seat requirements.

So, use a Booster seat if you have a child between the ages of 5 and 7, or weighing between 50 and 60 pounds, make sure you’re following the NM booster seat law.

According to the New Mexico Child Restraint Act 66-7-369, all children under the age of five must be secured in a child safety seat. If you’re caught violating this law, you’ll face a fine and points on your license.

But it’s not just the law that you should consider – experts recommend keeping kids in booster seats until the car seat fits them perfectly. And remember, booster seats must be used with both lap and shoulder belts, not just a lap belt alone.

So make sure you’re following the New Mexico booster seat law to keep your little ones safe on the road.

To learn more about booster seat laws in other US states, you can check out Ohio, Texas, and New York booster car seat laws.

New Mexico Child Front Seat Law

There is no law in New Mexico specifically stating when a child can sit in the front seat in NM (New Mexico).

However, it is generally recommended by experts to wait until a child is at least 12-13 years old before they sit in the front seat.

If you do need to have a child sitting in the front seat before this age, make sure to disable the airbag for rear-facing seats to ensure their safety.

To learn more about front seat laws in other US states, you can check out Oregon, Mississippi and Virginia front car seat laws.

New Mexico Child Seat Belt Law

According to the New Mexico seat belt law, all children aged 7 to 18 years must wear a seat belt while riding in the front or back seats of a vehicle.

The law allows kids aged 7 to 12 to wear seat belts, but they must meet certain requirements. It’s important to follow NM seat belt laws to keep your kids safe while driving in New Mexico.

To learn more about New Mexico child seat belt laws in other US states, you can check out Tennessee, Massachusetts, and Delaware child seat belt laws.

New Mexico Taxi Child Seat Law

Currently, there is no specific law that requires taxis to carry child car seats. The only vehicles that are exempt from having a child passenger restraint system are authorized emergency vehicles, public transportation vehicles, or school buses.

That being said, it’s still a good idea for parents or caregivers to bring their own child car seat when riding in a taxi, as most taxis do not have them available.


New Mexico Ridesharing Child Seat Law

While there is no specific law that requires ridesharing drivers to provide car seats, the operator of the vehicle is required to ensure that all passengers under 18 years of age are properly restrained.

This means that the driver of a ridesharing service, such as Uber or Lyft, can provide a car seat if they choose to.

However, it’s still a good idea for caregivers to bring their own federally approved child car seat that is appropriate for the child’s age. Not having the correct car seat could result in a fine of $25.


New Mexico Child Seat Replacement Law

There is no specific law in New Mexico that requires the replacement of child safety seats, however, it is recommended to replace them every 6 years or after an accident.

It is also important to follow the manufacturer’s instructions and register with the manufacturer to receive recall and safety notices.


Leaving Child in The Car in New Mexico

Leaving a child in a car in New Mexico is not explicitly illegal, but it is strongly discouraged by the New Mexico Department of Health and the Children’s Youth and Families Department.

It is dangerous to leave a child alone in a vehicle due to the risk of heatstroke, as well as other dangers such as getting trapped in the trunk, setting the car into motion, or being injured by retracting seat belts or power windows.


Choosing a Child Car Seat in New Mexico

According to New Mexico child safety seat laws, children must ride in a rear-facing seat until they are at least 1 year old and weigh 20 pounds.

However, it is recommended that they ride rear-facing until they reach 35 pounds in weight.

After that, they should ride in a forward-facing seat with a harness, and before the seatbelt fits properly, children must ride in booster seats.

A convertible seat is the one of the best car seats to use for toddlers and infants in New Mexico.


Car Seat Installation Help in New Mexico

When installing a child safety seat, it is important to refer to both the vehicle and car seat manual for instructions.

To assist parents and caregivers with proper installation, New Mexico has designated centers where certified Child Passenger Safety (CPS) technicians can inspect and install car seats.

These centers include Albuquerque Fire Rescue, New Mexico State University Fire Department, and Los Alamos Medical Center.


Is it Illegal to Smoke in a Car with a Child in New Mexico?

Yes, it is illegal to smoke in a car with a child in New Mexico according to the state’s car seat laws. It is considered a child endangerment act and the person that does it could face penalties.


New Mexico Car Seat Safety Resources


FAQs

What is the weight limit for a booster seat in New Mexico?

New Mexico car seat law states that kids have to be in a booster seat until they hit 7 years old or weigh 60 pounds, whichever comes first.

And even after that in between the ages of 7 to 12, they have to sit in a booster seat until they can not fit the adult seat belt properly.

What age can kids sit in the front seat near New Mexico?

As for sitting in the front seat, there’s no law against it, but if you’re gonna do it, make sure the airbag is turned off for rear-facing seats or wait until they’re at least 12-13 years old. That’s what the experts recommend.

How long should a child ride in a rear-facing car seat in New Mexico?

In New Mexico, it’s the law that all kids have to stay rear-facing until they hit one year old and weigh at least 20 pounds.

But, let me tell you, it’s way safer for them to stay rear-facing for as long as possible, until they hit around 35 pounds.

Can you put a rear-facing car seat in the front seat in New Mexico?

Alright, so in the state of New Mexico, the rule of thumb is to always have the rear-facing seat in the back of the car.

But, if for some reason the back seat ain’t available, or if there’s other little ones under the age of 1 back there, the rear-facing seat can be placed in the front seat, as long as the passenger side airbag is deactivated.

When can a baby face forward in a car seat in New Mexico?

In the state of New Mexico, it is mandatory that all children must remain rear facing until they reach at least 1 year of age and weigh 20 pounds. This is to ensure the safety of the child while on the road.

Do you need a car seat in a taxi in New Mexico?

It is not legally required by the state of New Mexico for a car seat to be used in a taxi. However, as a parent or caregiver, it is recommended to always carry a car seat and use it while traveling in a taxi.

When to switch from 5 point harness to a seat belt in New Mexico?

In the state of New Mexico, children should continue to ride in a forward-facing child safety seat with a harness until they have outgrown the weight or height limits of the seat.

This is typically around 40 pounds, but some seats can accommodate up to 60 pounds or more. Once they have outgrown the harness, children should use a booster seat until the vehicle’s seat belt fits them properly.

Do you need a car seat in a taxi in New Mexico?

Taxis car seat law in New Mexico may not be entirely clear, but for the safety of the child, it is always best to have one. It is recommended that either the caregiver or the driver provide a federally approved and appropriate car seat for the child to ensure their safety during the ride.

Do you need a car seat in a Lyft in New Mexico?

It is not explicitly stated in New Mexico car seat laws whether or not a car seat is required in a ride-sharing service such as Lyft.

However, for the safety of the child, it is advisable to always have one. It is recommended that either the caregiver or the driver provide a federally approved and appropriate car seat to ensure the child’s safety during the ride.


The Bottom Line:

In conclusion, as a New Mexican resident, it’s crucial that you are aware of the state’s car seat laws.

The New Mexico car seat laws requires all children under 7 years of age or weighing less than 60 pounds to be secured in a child safety seat, and children between 7 and 12 years old to use a booster seat until the adult seat belt fits properly.

This law is in place to ensure the safety of our children on the road. Now that you know this, it is your responsibility to adhere to these laws and keep your children safe.

I hope you like and find this information helpful in keeping your children safe while driving in New Mexico.

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AUTHOR

Hi, my name is Umair Ali and I am the founder and chief editor of CarSeatHeaven.com. My goal is to make car seat shopping simple and easy for parents. With so many fluffy, detailed, and complicated car seat reviews out there, it can be hard to make an informed decision. That's where I come in! I sort through all of the information for you and distill it down into simple, straightforward advice.

At CarSeatHeaven.com, we provide parents with all the information they need to make an informed decision when purchasing a car seat.