California driving lesson · Vehicle Safety & Distraction
Child seats, air bags & unattended children
A 3-minute lesson from the California course. Read the rules and examples, follow the handbook page references, and check your understanding before you move on.
Children must ride in a federally-approved child passenger restraint system or safety belt, based on their age and height. Air bags protect adults but can seriously hurt people sitting too close.
Your local law enforcement agency or fire department can check your child restraint installation. As your child grows, check that it is the right size.
Passengers should also sit at least 10 inches from the passenger-side air bag. Children seated next to a side air bag may be at risk of serious or fatal injury.
It is illegal to leave a child six years old or younger unattended in a vehicle. They may be left under the supervision of a person at least 12 years old.
It is dangerous and illegal to leave children or animals in a hot vehicle; inside temperature rises rapidly in the sun, even with a window slightly open.
You're driving three kids: a 3-year-old, a 5-year-old and a 7-year-old, in a car whose rear seat fits only two restraints. With all rear seats filled by children 7 or younger, the third child under 8 may ride in front in a federally-approved restraint.
Check your understanding
Read the question, decide on an answer, then open it to check the explanation. These are Roadwise study questions based on the source handbook.
What type of restraint is required for children under 2 years old, under 40 pounds, and under 3 feet 4 inches?
A forward-facing booster seat
A rear-facing child seat
A standard lap belt only
A shoulder belt alone
Answer: A rear-facing child seat
Children under 2, under 40 pounds, and under 3'4" must be secured in a rear-facing child restraint system.