Nebraska car seat laws require every child under two to ride rear-facing, every child under eight to ride in a federally approved car seat or booster, and every child from eight through seventeen to wear a seat belt. Each violation is a $25 fine plus court costs and adds one point to the driver’s record. The rules live in Nebraska Revised Statute 60-6,267, last updated effective January 1, 2019.1Nebraska Legislature. Nebraska Revised Statute 60-6,267
Rear-Facing Until Age Two
Children under two must ride in a rear-facing car seat. A child can move out of rear-facing earlier only if they exceed the seat manufacturer’s maximum height or weight rating before their second birthday.1Nebraska Legislature. Nebraska Revised Statute 60-6,267 The statute sets a floor, not a ceiling. If a child still fits the seat’s rear-facing limits at age two, keeping them rear-facing longer is allowed and often recommended.
The driver is responsible for correct installation. That means following the manufacturer’s instructions on harness height and recline angle. A rear-facing seat at the wrong angle can compromise protection in a crash even when the child meets the age rule.
Car Seats and Boosters From Two Through Seven
Once a child ages out of rear-facing, they must ride in a child passenger restraint system that meets Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 213 until they turn eight.1Nebraska Legislature. Nebraska Revised Statute 60-6,267 The law does not name a specific seat type for this age range. Most children this age use a forward-facing harnessed seat and then move to a belt-positioning booster once they outgrow the harnessed seat’s limits. The height and weight labels on each seat drive that transition, not a set age in the statute.
A booster raises the child so the lap and shoulder belt crosses the chest and pelvis rather than the neck and stomach. Nebraska’s legal requirement ends at age eight, but many children still need a booster after that for the vehicle belt to fit correctly.
Seat Belts From Eight Through Seventeen
Children eight and older but under eighteen must wear a seat belt or remain in a child restraint system whenever the vehicle is moving, regardless of where they sit.1Nebraska Legislature. Nebraska Revised Statute 60-6,267
Enforcement works differently for this age group. The seat belt requirement for children eight through seventeen is a secondary offense, so an officer cannot pull you over solely because a teenager is unbuckled; there must be another reason for the stop first.2Nebraska Legislature. Nebraska Revised Statute 60-6,268 The child restraint rule for children under eight is a primary offense, meaning an officer can stop the vehicle solely because a young child appears improperly restrained.
Rear Seat Rule for Children Under Eight
Children under eight must sit in a rear seat if the vehicle has one equipped with a seat belt and that seat isn’t already occupied by another child under eight.1Nebraska Legislature. Nebraska Revised Statute 60-6,267 The rule is designed to keep small children away from front airbags, which deploy with enough force to injure or kill a young child.
A child under eight may ride up front only when no qualifying rear seat exists, such as in a single-cab pickup or when every rear seat is already filled with other children under eight. Even then, the child still needs a properly installed car seat or booster. If a rear-facing seat must go in front because no other option exists, NHTSA authorizes on-off airbag switches for that situation and strongly recommends turning off the passenger-side airbag.3National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Air Bags
Fines, Points, and How Tickets Add Up
A violation is an infraction with a $25 fine plus court costs. If more than one child is unrestrained at the same time, that still counts as a single offense rather than a separate fine for each child.2Nebraska Legislature. Nebraska Revised Statute 60-6,268
Each violation also adds one point to the driver’s record.4Nebraska Department of Transportation. Child Passenger Safety A single ticket won’t threaten your license on its own, but points accumulate alongside other traffic violations and can affect insurance rates.
Who Is Exempt
The child restraint and seat belt requirements do not apply in every situation.1Nebraska Legislature. Nebraska Revised Statute 60-6,267 The statute exempts:
- Vehicles designated by the manufacturer as 1963 model year or earlier that were not equipped with an occupant protection system.
- Taxicabs.
- Mopeds and motorcycles.
- Authorized emergency vehicles being operated for work.
A medical exemption is also available. If a licensed physician determines that a child restraint would be harmful because of the child’s weight, physical condition, or other medical reason, the requirement is waived for that child. The driver must carry the physician’s signed written statement identifying the child and explaining the medical reason. Keep it in the vehicle; without it, the exemption cannot be verified during a traffic stop.
Getting a Seat Checked in Nebraska
Studies consistently show a large share of car seats are installed incorrectly. Nebraska operates inspection stations across the state where certified Child Passenger Safety technicians will check the installation, confirm the seat is right for your child’s size, and walk you through any fixes. These inspections are typically free. The Nebraska Department of Transportation publishes a list of inspection stations and posts community check-up events at libraries, shopping centers, and other public locations.5Nebraska Department of Transportation. Inspection Stations in Nebraska Inspection stations are also eligible for mini-grant funding to provide restraints to low-income families, so ask about availability if cost is a barrier.4Nebraska Department of Transportation. Child Passenger Safety
Replacing a Car Seat After a Crash
NHTSA recommends replacing any car seat involved in a moderate or severe crash. A crash counts as minor, and the seat can stay in service, only if all five of these are true:
- The vehicle could be driven from the scene.
- The door nearest the car seat was undamaged.
- No one in the vehicle was injured.
- No airbags deployed.
- The car seat has no visible damage.6National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Car Seat Use After a Crash
If even one of those is off, the seat should be replaced. Many auto insurance policies cover a replacement seat after a covered accident, so check with your insurer before paying out of pocket.
Expiration Dates and Recalls
Car seats have expiration dates, usually printed on a sticker on the shell or stamped into the plastic. Most seats expire seven to ten years after manufacture. The materials degrade over time from temperature swings, sun exposure, and use, so an expired seat may not perform as designed in a crash.
Recalls matter too. You can search active recalls by brand or model on NHTSA’s site or call 1-888-327-4236.7National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Check for Recalls Registering your seat with the manufacturer when you buy it ensures you’ll be notified of any future recall. If your seat is recalled, the manufacturer must provide a repair kit or replacement at no cost.