Once kids hit a particular age, the excitement of kids leads to the following question: “When can I sit in the front?” And as a parent or caregiver, you probably want to know when it is actually safe, and legal, for them to ride in the front.

The answer may vary by age, weight, height, local laws, and safety recommendations. Let’s break it down so you can choose the safest option for your child.

What Do Experts Recommend?

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) recommend:

All children under the age of 13 should ride in the back seat of the vehicle.

Why? The front seat is more dangerous for children, in the case of a crash, because of the force of airbags — which are set up for adults.

Why the Back Seat is Safer?

• Airbags deploy with enough force to seriously injure a child.
• Statistically, the back seat is safer in every type of crash.
• Children are also more protected from direct impact when seated in the rear.

General Guidelines by age

Here is a summary of recommendations concerning seat placement and restraints:

Age	Seat Position	Type of Restraint
0–2 years	Back seat only	Rear-facing car seat
2–4 years	Back seat only	Forward-facing car seat with harness
4–8 years	Back seat preferred	Booster seat
8–12 years	Back seat preferred	Seatbelt (booster if needed)
13+ years	Front seat OK	Adult seatbelt

What are the Legal Requirements by State or Country?

Safety experts typically recommend a minimum age of 13, but laws are different depending on where you live:

• In many U.S. States, 8 to 13 years of age is the legal range for when a child may be allowed to sit in the front seat.
• Some states’ rules are based on height or weight instead of age.
• International laws also vary, so look into local traffic laws.

Factors to Consider Before Letting a Child Sit in the Front

Regardless of whether your child is 13 years or older, you should also consider:

• Are they tall enough to have a proper seatbelt fit for their size?
  (Lap belt is low on hips, shoulder belt crosses chest and not neck/face.)
• Are they mature enough to sit still, upright and not distract the driver?
• Is the airbag system working properly?

Pro Tip: If You Have To Put A Child In The Front Seat

• Always move the seat as far back as is reasonable from the dashboard.
• Never allow a rear-facing car seat to be placed in the front seat when the airbag is active.
• Make sure they wear their seatbelt properly.

Conclusion

Your child may want to ride shotgun but your worries should come first! Backseat safety is paramount for children under the age of 13, regardless of their size or maturity level.

Make sure to check out your local laws, follow all guidance, and remember: keeping them safe today means a lot more road trips to look forward to in the future.

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