California Booster Seat Law Updates: What Changes and What Remains a Myth

Read expert perspectives concerning California Booster Seat Law Updates: What Changes and What Remains a Myth.

California treats child restraint infractions seriously. Under CVC 27360, law enforcement officers can pull drivers over on primary enforcement grounds if they observe an unrestrained or improperly restrained child. Officers do not need an auxiliary reason, like speeding or an expired registration tag, to initiate the traffic stop.

Drivers face substantial financial penalties for non-compliance:

• The base fine sits at $100. Once county assessments, court construction fees, and penalty multipliers are added, total out-of-pocket costs typically range between $490 and $530.
• Base fines jump to $250. With state and municipal penalty assessments applied, out-of-pocket costs frequently exceed $1,100.
• Every conviction for a child restraint violation puts one point on the driver's commercial or personal driving record. This often drives up personal auto insurance premiums for three consecutive years.

Fines are issued directly to the driver of the vehicle, regardless of whether that driver is the child's parent, a babysitter, an aunt, or a carpool volunteer.