If you have an infant or small child you’ve probably been told that it’s safest for them to ride in a car seat in the back seat of the car. But what if there is no back seat or the back seat is already occupied by another passenger? Can you put the car seat in the middle?
The answer is… maybe. It depends on a few factors such as the type of car seat the type of car and the laws in your state.
Here’s what you need to know about putting a car seat in the middle of the front or back seat.
Can I Put My Car Seat in the Middle?
In general it’s best to put a car seat in the back seat. That’s because the back seat is further away from the front airbags which can deploy in a crash and cause serious injury or even death to a small child in a front-facing car seat.
But there are some circumstances in which it might be better to put the car seat in the middle of the front or back seat:
If you have a 3-across (three seats in a row) you may need to put the car seat in the middle to fit everyone in the car.
If you have an infant in a rear-facing car seat you may need to put the car seat in the middle so that the passenger in the front seat can recline their seat. This is because reclining the front seat can reduce the risk of head injury in a rear-facing car seat in a crash.
If you’re travelling with a pet you may want to put the car seat in the middle so that your pet can’t climb into the car seat.
If you have a larger vehicle such as a van or SUV you may be able to put the car seat in the middle of the second row (rather than the third row) and still have enough space for passengers in the back row.
Types of Car Seats
There are three main types of car seats:
Rear-facing car seats are for infants and small children. They should be used in the back seat of the car and they should never be used in the front seat.
Front-facing car seats are for bigger kids. They can be used in the front or back seat but they should never be used in the front seat if there is an active passenger airbag.
boosters seats are for kids who have outgrown front-facing car seats but who are still too small to use a seat belt without a booster. Boosters can be used in the front or back seat but they should never be used in the front seat if there is an active passenger airbag.
Types of Cars
The type of car you have also affects whether you can put a car seat in the middle.
If you have a car with passenger airbags you should never put a rear-facing car seat in the front seat and you should only put a front-facing car seat or booster in the front seat if the airbag has been deactivated.
Some newer cars have “smart” airbags that deploy only when someone of a certain weight is in the seat so it’s possible to have a front-facing car seat or booster in the front seat with an active airbag. But not all cars have this feature so it’s best to check with your car’s manufacturer to be sure.
If you have a car without passenger airbags you can put a car seat in the front seat but it’s still best to put it in the back seat if possible.
Laws on Car Seats
Every state has laws on car seats and these laws vary from state to state. In some states there are no laws on car seats while in others there are very specific laws on which type of car seat must be used in which type of car.
It’s important to check the laws in your state before putting a car seat in the middle of the front or back seat. You can find the laws for your state here.
Bottom Line
Putting a car seat in the middle of the front or back seat is usually not the best idea but there are some circumstances in which it may be the best option. Be sure to check the laws in your state and the type of car seat and car you have before making a decision.
Can I put my car seat in the middle?
Yes you can.
Is it safe to put my car seat in the middle?
Yes it is just as safe as putting it in the other positions.
Will I need a special seat belt to put my car seat in the middle?
No you can use the seat belt that comes with your car.
What are the benefits of putting my car seat in the middle?
It can be easier to get your child in and out of the car seat when it is in the middle and some parents feel it is safer for their child to be in the middle of the car.
Are there any disadvantages to putting my car seat in the middle?
Some car seats can be difficult to install in the middle seat and it may be less comfortable for you to have your child in the middle if you are the one who is driving.
Can I put my car seat in the middle if I have an infant?
Yes you can put your car seat in the middle with an infant.
Can I put my car seat in the middle if I have a toddler?
Yes you can put your car seat in the middle with a toddler.
Can I put my car seat in the middle if I have a Booster Seat?
Yes you can put your car seat in the middle with a Booster Seat.
If I put my car seat in the middle do both Passenger and Drivers need to put their seat belts on?
No only the person in the car seat needs to put their seat belt on.
Can more than one car seat go in the middle?
Yes you can put more than one car seat in the middle.
If I put my car seat in the middle do I need to install it facing the front or the back?
You can install your car seat facing the front or the back whichever you prefer.
If I put my car seat in the middle and I need to get out of the car can I just unbuckle my seat belt and get out?
No you will need to wake your child up and unbuckle them from the car seat before you can get out.
If I have a car seat in the middle and I get into an accident will the airbags deploy?
Yes the airbags will still deploy if you have a car seat in the middle.
If I have a car seat in the middle and I get into an accident will the car seat protect my child?
Yes the car seat will still protect your child if you have it in the middle.
I’m pregnant and I want to put my car seat in the middle is that okay?
Yes you can put your car seat in the middle when you are pregnant.
