When is it appropriate for children to transition from a booster seat to using a seatbelt alone?

The transition from a booster seat to using a seatbelt alone is primarily based on age and height requirements for safety. The best practice guidelines recommend that children should remain in a booster seat until they reach at least 8 years of age or a height of 4 feet 9 inches. This is because the adult seatbelt is designed for adults and may not fit a child properly until they meet these criteria. A properly fitting seatbelt should lay across the child's upper thighs and chest, providing maximum protection in the event of a crash.

Options that suggest transitioning based on being able to open a door by themselves, reaching a weight of 80 pounds, or being able to buckle their own seatbelt do not necessarily ensure that the seatbelt will fit them correctly or provide adequate protection. These factors do not account for the physical maturity and size that are crucial for the safe use of an adult seatbelt, which is why they are less appropriate for determining when to stop using a booster seat.