Starting January 1, 2027, California will require children ages 8–16 to pass a "5-step seat belt fit test" in order to ride using only a seat belt, and those who don't pass must continue using a booster seat. The 5-step test checks that the back sits flush against the seat, knees bend comfortably at the seat edge, the shoulder belt crosses the chest and shoulder (not the neck), the lap belt sits low across the thighs (not the stomach), and the child can maintain this position for the entire ride. Chestnut Pediatrics also reminds parents that many kids need a booster until about 4'9" tall and that children under 13 should ride in the back seat whenever possible.
