How to Find the Right Car Seat

NHTSA knows it’s not an easy task to find the right car seat. After all, there are several types of seats—from infant to convertible and booster—depending on your child’s age and size. Even after you find the right one, it’s important to know how to install your car seat correctly and when to transition your child to another type of seat as your child grows older.

In this section, NHTSA guides you through the decision-making process of finding the right car seat and using it correctly to make sure your child remains safe.

Step 1 -> Find the right car seat based on:

• Car Seat Types
• Age & Size Recommendations (from birth to age 13)
• Find a Car Seat
• Car Seat Ease-of-Use Ratings

Step 2 -> Know how to correctly install your car seat:

• How to install your car seat

Step 3 -> Register your car seat:

• How to register your car seat