What indicates that a child might be ready for a booster seat?

A child is considered ready for a booster seat when they can sit with their back against the vehicle seat and have their knees bent comfortably at the edge of the seat with their feet flat on the floor. This position is crucial because it allows the vehicle's seatbelt to fit properly across the child's body—specifically, across the shoulder and the chest, not the neck or face, and across the hips, not the abdomen.

Meeting this requirement ensures that the booster seat effectively elevates the child so the vehicle's safety belt will provide adequate restraint during a crash. It is essential for achieving the highest level of safety, allowing the seatbelt system to function appropriately as intended for older children.

While age, height, and the child's comfort do play roles in transitioning from a car seat to a booster seat, the primary guideline for making this transition is the child's ability to fit properly in the vehicle's seating and safety belt system.