When is it appropriate for a child to transition from a booster seat to using only a seatbelt?

The appropriate time for a child to transition from a booster seat to using only a seatbelt is when the seatbelt fits properly across their body. A properly fitting seatbelt gives optimal protection and is essential for safety during a crash. This means that the lap belt should lay snugly across the child's upper thighs, not the abdomen, and the shoulder belt should cross the chest and shoulder, away from the neck and face.

Factors such as age, weight, and height can influence this transition, but they are not definitive. A child might weigh over 40 pounds or be 8 years old yet still require a booster seat for proper fit. Children develop at different rates, and ensuring that the seatbelt fits correctly is the best guideline for making this important transition. This focus on seatbelt fit emphasizes the individual needs of each child rather than relying solely on general benchmarks related to age or weight.