Seat belts and child seats in Mississippi (2026)
Last reviewed: 9 October 2026
In short: The operator, passengers and children under 18 must wear a fastened safety seat belt. A child under 4 needs a child restraint, and a child aged 4 to under 7 needs a booster seat if under 4 feet 9 inches or under 65 pounds.
| Rule | What applies |
|---|---|
| Seat belt compulsory in front seatsPassenger cars | Yes [1] |
| Seat belt compulsory in rear seatsPassenger cars | ⚠ Not yet verified |
| Child restraint required untilPassenger cars | A child under 4 must be in a child restraint device or system. A child aged 4 to under 7 must be in a belt positioning booster seat if the child measures less than 4 feet 9 inches or weighs less than 65 pounds. [1] |
| Children in the front seatPassenger cars | ⚠ Not yet verified |
| Rear-facing child seat in front with active airbagPassenger cars | ⚠ Not yet verified |
| Booster seat untilPassenger cars | A child aged 4 to under 7 who is shorter than 4 ft 9 in or weighs less than 65 lb must ride in a belt-positioning booster seat. [1] |
Notes
- Taken from the statutory excerpt published by the Mississippi Department of Transportation (Section 63-2-1), not from the Mississippi Code itself.
Sources
- Mississippi Department of Transportation: Mississippi Traffic Safety (excerpts of Sections 63-2-1 and 63-7-301) (consulted 9 October 2026) · all sources
Mississippi and neighbouring states
| State | Seat belt compulsory in front seats | Seat belt compulsory in rear seats | Child restraint required until | Children in the front seat | Rear-facing child seat in front with active airbag |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mississippi | Yes, operator and passengers | ⚠ Not yet verified | Seat under 4; booster age 4-6 under 4 ft 9 in or 65 lb | ⚠ Not yet verified | ⚠ Not yet verified |
| Alabama | Yes | Yes (secondary enforcement) | Seat/booster until age 6, then seat belt to 15 | No seating rule; restraint applies in any seat | ⚠ Not yet verified |
| Arkansas | Yes | Under 15 only | Under 6 and under 60 lb: child seat; under 15 restrained | ⚠ Not yet verified | ⚠ Not yet verified |
| Louisiana | Yes, every occupant | Yes, every occupant | Seats by age; adult belt from age 9 or when outgrown | Under 13 in rear seat when available | No if airbag active and rear seat available (under 6/60 lb) |
| Tennessee | Yes | Only passengers under 18 | Booster ages 4 to 8 and under 4 ft 9 in | Rear seat if available (to age 8) | ⚠ Not yet verified |
More rules in Mississippi
- CannabisPossession for personal use: Civil offence up to 30 g · Growing at home: Not allowed
- Car speed limitsOutside built-up areas (single carriageway): 55 mph (two-lane highways)
- Minimum age for a car driving licenceMinimum age for a car licence: 16 (regular licence) · Earliest age to drive a car supervised: 15 (learner's permit)
- E-bikes and speed pedelecsLegal class: Three classes · Minimum age: Class 3: 16
- FireworksMinimum age to buy: 12 (no sale to under-12s)
- Knives and pepper sprayFolding pocket knives: Concealed carry of listed knives is an offence · Locking or one-handed knives: Switchblade: no concealed carry
- Statutory minimum wageNational statutory minimum wage: No · Current adult minimum wage (gross): Federal $7.25 per hour
- Tobacco and nicotine age limitsMinimum age to buy tobacco: 21 · Minimum age to buy e-cigarettes: 21
- Drinking age and alcohol salesMinimum age to buy beer and wine: 21+ · Minimum age to buy spirits: 21+
- Drink-driving limitsBlood alcohol limit for ordinary drivers: 0.08% (21 and over) · Lower limit for novice or young drivers: 0.02% (under 21)
Related pages
General information, not legal advice. Rules change: check the official source before you fly or ride.