When can my child make the switch from a booster seat to using a regular seatbelt? – Tony Kids can start wearing a regular seatbelt when they can easily rest their back against the seat of the car and bend their knees over the edge of the seat. Usually, this happens when kids are between 8 and 12 years old and around 4 feet 9 inches (about 150 centimeters) tall. Seatbelts must be worn correctly for them to work properly. Make sure the lap belt fits comfortably across the thighs (not the stomach) and that your child is not slouching. The shoulder strap should go across the chest and shoulder, and never goes beneath a child's arm, behind the back, or across the neck. Continue to use a booster seat if your child cannot sit properly or wear the seatbelt correctly. Back to Articles Related Articles Road Rules for Little Passengers Use these tips to teach your kids how to stay safe when riding in a car or on a school bus. Read More Choosing Safe Baby Products: Infant Seats & Child Safety Seats Regular infant seats simply allow young babies to sit up. Never substitute any type of infant seat for a child safety seat (car seat). Read More Bringing Your Baby Home Whether your baby comes home from the hospital right away, arrives later, or comes through an adoption agency, homecoming is a major event. Read More Auto Safety More kids are injured in auto collisions than in any other type of accident, but you can protect them by learning the proper use of car seats and booster seats. Read More Booster Seat Safety Your tot's not a baby anymore! It's time for a big-kid booster seat. But how can you ensure that your child is still safe and secure in the car? Find out here. Read More Car Seat Safety What's the right way to install an infant safety seat? Is your toddler ready for a convertible seat? Get the car seat know-how you need here. Read More Staying Safe in the Car and on the Bus You probably spend part of every day in a car or on the bus. Find out how to be a safe traveler in this article for kids. Read More Note: All information is for educational purposes only. For specific medical advice, diagnoses, and treatment, consult your doctor. © 1995-2021 KidsHealth®. All rights reserved. Images provided by The Nemours Foundation, iStock, Getty Images, Veer, Shutterstock, and Clipart.com.