What if I drive more children than can be buckled safely in the back seat? It's best to avoid this, especially if your vehicle has air bags in the front seat. All children younger than 13 years should ride in the back seat. If absolutely necessary, a child in a forward-facing seat with a harness may be the best choice to ride in front. Just be sure the vehicle seat is moved as far back away from the dashboard (and air bag) as possible. What do I need to know if my child will be driven by someone else, such as for child care or school? If your child is being driven by someone else, make sure: The car seat your child will be using fits properly in the vehicle used for transport. The car seat being used is appropriate for the age and size of your child. The person in charge of transporting your child knows how to install and use the car seat correctly. Child care programs and schools should have written guidelines for transporting children, including: All drivers must have a valid driver's license. In some states, school bus drivers need to have a special type of license. Staff-to-child ratios for transport should meet or exceed those required for the classroom. Every child should be supervised during transport, either by school staff or a parent volunteer, so the driver can focus on driving. School staff, teachers, and drivers should know what do to in an emergency, know how to properly use car seats and seat belts, and be aware of other safety requirements. Should my child ride in a car seat on an airplane? The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the AAP recommend that children less than 40 pounds be securely fastened in certified child restraints when flying. This will help keep them safe during takeoff and landing or in case of turbulence. Most rear-facing, convertible, and forward-facing seats can be used on airplanes, but booster seats and travel vests cannot. Look for a label on the car seat that says, "This restraint is certified for use in motor vehicles and aircraft." You can also consider using a restraint made only for use on airplanes and approved by the FAA. Larger children may use the airplane seat belt or continue to use their car seat on the airplane as long as it is labeled for use on aircraft and the child has not exceeded the seat's weight or height limit. Remember that your child will need an appropriate car seat to use at your destination.
