All children under the age of ___ must be in an approved child restraint seat.

• A. 4
• B. 5
• C. 6
• D. 7

Answer: (C)

The main idea here is that laws require younger children to ride in an approved child restraint. This is based on safety research showing that harnessed seats and boosters keep small bodies properly positioned and distribute crash forces so injuries are reduced. In this rule, the cutoff is six years old: all children under six must be in an approved child restraint seat (such as a car seat or booster with a harness). Once a child reaches six, they may ride with a properly fitting seat belt instead of a child restraint, provided the belt sits correctly on the shoulder and across the chest and lap. “Approved” means the seat meets safety standards and is appropriate for the child’s size and weight. Always check local laws, since exact ages can vary by jurisdiction.