Car seat question

Anyone know what the law is in NYS about putting a child restraint in the front seat of a van that has no backseat? This is my husband's work van, we will disable the airbag on the passenger side. For use once in a while. My son is currently in a infant seat, will be in a convertible seat in the next few weeks. Rear facing and restrained according to manual.

Car seat question

I don't know what the 'law' is if theres no back seat but I think its outright illegal for a child to be in the front seat. I could be totally wrong but is there any other vehicle your child can be in? That's pretty dangerous no matter what.

Re: Car seat question

if that's the only place you can put him, the airbag must be disabled.

Car seat question

How would someone with a pickup truck use a car seat? I thought I remembered reading as long as there was no airbag you could do it. Unfortunately we don't have any other car. He's often home before me on daycare days (which is a few blocks away from us, he wouldn't even be on any main streets) and we were wondering if he could pick him up if I'm running late.

Re: Car seat question

Here is the official position.....You may place a child in the front seat of the van provided there is no alternate placement and there is a shut off for the airbag.

Re: Car seat question

Re: Car seat question

Message edited 11/12/2013 12:44:36 PM.

Re: Car seat question

Now you have given a new problem here - Normally vehicles that allow for air bags to be turned off are pick up trucks since there is only one set of seats.

So here is the question - is there a second row of seats in the van?

If not, to disable an air bag is not a decision made by New York State DMV, it is by application to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). No dealership may disable an airbag unless a NHTSA waiver is obtained and even then they are not required to do it. Only car dealerships may do the procedure.

For questions and answers on this topic visit: http://www.nhtsa.gov/cars/rules/rulings/airbagqa.html#Q2

Permission will only be granted for a rear facing infant. If the child is forward facing, place in the car seat and push the front passenger seat as far back as possible.

Car seat question

Thanks Chris - there is not a second row of seats. I will follow the link you provided to see what the procedure is.