FAQ

Q. How long can my child seat be used or when does it "expire"?

A. Please refer to the user guide that came with your child seat to determine its recommended useful life. Britax recommends that the use of a child seat be discontinued after a certain number of years from date of manufacture, depending on the seat, or if the seat has been involved in a severe crash. Expiration dates are recommended for various reasons: technology has changed, components degrade from the environment (depending on how and where stored), parts get lost or installed incorrectly, or instructions and labels may not be available or not legible. After a child seat has met its expiration date, Britax recommends that the child seat be destroyed.

Q. The labels and user guides for Britax booster seats no longer indicate the weight limit for the child. What has changed?

A. The products have not changed. However, in March 2004, the National Highway and Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) regulations changed directing that only minimum and maximum height must be included in the labeling. The weight limit is no longer required on labeling.

Q. What is the difference between a harnessed seat and a booster seat?

A. Booster seats differ from a harnessed car seat in that a booster seat, by definition, simply “boosts” the child up so that the vehicle seat belt is positioned correctly across the child’s hips and shoulder. Booster seats rely on the vehicle seat belts to hold both the child and the booster seat in position.

Harnessed seats have an internal harness system that is used to restrain the child.

Q. When can I move my child from a harnessed seat or booster seat to the vehicle seat belt?

A. Requirements for car seat use vary depending on the state or province in which you reside. Britax recommends that you follow the laws of your state/province as the minimum requirements for restraining your child while traveling. Additionally, Britax recommends that you continue to use the child seat system - convertible car seat, youth seat, or booster seat - to the upper limits of its recommended use, or until your child can fit properly in the adult seat belt.


For adult seat belt use, as a minimum follow your state/province requirements. The following are additional best practices recommended by Britax. To be able to fit an adult seat belt, a child must:

  • Be tall enough to sit without slouching

  • Keep his/her back and buttocks against the vehicle seat back

  • Keep his/her knees completely bent over the front edge of the vehicle seat

  • Keep his/her feet flat on the floor

  • Be able to stay comfortably seated this way, AND

  • The vehicle seat belt must be positioned correctly across the child's hips and shoulder.

Also, please keep in mind that state/province law does not always represent best practice. We recommend that you follow the laws of your state/province as the minimum requirements for restraining your child while traveling.

Q. When can I move my child into a booster seat?

A. Britax recommends that a child remain in a five-point harnessed seat as long as possible. Check your state/province laws for additional guidance on car seat and booster seat use.

Additional important points to consider when deciding on whether to move your child to a booster seat include:

  • Child’s age

  • Child’s height

  • Child’s weight

  • Child’s maturity – whether the child is a wiggle worm or sleeps often in the vehicle. If so, the booster seat may not be an appropriate selection.

Also, please keep in mind that law does not always represent best practice. We recommend that you follow the laws of your state/province as the minimum requirements for restraining your child while traveling.