Kids should be in a belt-positioning booster seat until they can fit properly in a seat belt - typically when they are 4'9", which is typically around 8-9 years old (but varies widely, of course).
I think it varies by state. In MA, they have to be at least 8years old and 4ft 9inches in order to ride without a booster seat. They move from the car seat to booster seat when they reach the weight or height limit for the car seat.
Mine will be in 5 point harnesses until middle school if I get my way.
hee hee
Our IF journey: 1 m/c, 1 IVF with only 3 eggs retrieved yielding Dylan and a lost twin, 1 shocker unmedicated BFP resulting in Jace, 3 more unmedicated pregnancies ending in more losses.
Total score: 6 pregnancies, 5 losses, 2 amazing blessings that I'm thankful for every single day.
Mine will be in 5 point harnesses until middle school if I get my way.
hee hee
Big fat ditto from me. DS is a very tall almost 3 year old and I just bought the biggest combo booster available to hopefully keep him in a 5 pt harness until he's ten. In CA, kids have to be in a 5 pt harness until they are 4 AND 40lbs I think but he's staying in one much longer if I can manage it (given how big he is I don't have a ton of choices).
I'm not 100% sure, but my best friends daugter will be 7 in Sept and she's still in a high back booster seat. DD will be in a 5 point harness as long as she can be and then in a high back booster until she doesnt fit anymore.
Our Journey from two to three!
3 IUI's, 2 IVF's, decided to move to foster/adopt.
12/24/2009 Baby C born, 2/1/2010 placed with us,
5/17/2011 Adoption final- we are finally a forever family!
Re: What age do kids have to be to ride without a carseat?
Kids should be in a belt-positioning booster seat until they can fit properly in a seat belt - typically when they are 4'9", which is typically around 8-9 years old (but varies widely, of course).
TTC since 11/05...ectopic pg 4/08...early m/c 6/09...BFP 10/5/09!

Nora B...June 15, 2010...8lbs, 8oz...Med-free birth!
TTC #2 since 7/11...cycle #3 of Clomid + IUI = BFP

Malcolm...September 21, 2012...8lbs, 6oz...Another med-free birth!
Mine will be in 5 point harnesses until middle school if I get my way.
hee hee
Total score: 6 pregnancies, 5 losses, 2 amazing blessings that I'm thankful for every single day.
Big fat ditto from me. DS is a very tall almost 3 year old and I just bought the biggest combo booster available to hopefully keep him in a 5 pt harness until he's ten.
In CA, kids have to be in a 5 pt harness until they are 4 AND 40lbs I think but he's staying in one much longer if I can manage it (given how big he is I don't have a ton of choices).
I'm not 100% sure, but my best friends daugter will be 7 in Sept and she's still in a high back booster seat. DD will be in a 5 point harness as long as she can be and then in a high back booster until she doesnt fit anymore.