NC S430

Children under 8 years old and under 57 inches in height must be secured in a height and weight appropriate child passenger restraint system, replacing the previous standard of under 80 pounds

Newborns must start in rear-facing child passenger restraint systems and transition to forward-facing systems according to manufacturer's height and weight requirements on the federally required car seat label

Children must be secured in rear seats unless the vehicle has no rear seat, lacks an active passenger-side front air bag, or the restraint system is designed for use with front air bags

Children at least 8 years old or 57 inches tall may use a standard lap and shoulder seat belt if it fits properly across the thighs/hips (not abdomen), crosses diagonally at mid-shoulder and chest, and allows the child to sit with back straight and knees bent at seat edge

Effective December 1, 2025, applying to offenses committed on or after that date