Generally, no, you should not put a booster seat in the front seat of a car. It is significantly safer for children to ride in the back seat until they are at least 13 years old. The primary danger is the front passenger airbag. In a collision, the force of an airbag deploying can cause serious or even fatal injuries to a child in a booster seat. The back seat is always the safest place for a child.
The decision depends on several critical factors, starting with your local laws and your vehicle's specific features. Many states have laws explicitly prohibiting placing a child restraint system in the front seat. You must check your state's Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) website for the exact regulations. Even if it's legal, it's often not safe.
The next step is to consult your vehicle's owner's manual. Some vehicles have a manual on/off switch for the passenger airbag. If you have no other option but to place the booster seat in front, you must confirm the airbag is deactivated. A warning light on the dashboard will typically indicate it is off. Never deactivate the airbag yourself; it must be done according to the manufacturer's instructions. Furthermore, the vehicle seat must be slid as far back as possible from the dashboard to create more distance from the airbag compartment.
A high-back booster seat is generally preferable in this rare scenario as it offers some head and side-impact protection. However, this should only be considered an absolute last resort, such as in a two-seater vehicle or when the back seat is occupied by other young children in car seats. The data from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) consistently shows the drastically higher risk for children in the front seat.
| Scenario | Risk Factor | Recommended Action |
|---|
| Child in back seat with booster | Lowest | Always the preferred and safest option. |
| Child in front seat with active airbag | Extremely High | Strictly prohibited due to risk of severe injury from airbag deployment. |
| Child in front seat with deactivated airbag (no back seat option) | High, but mitigated | Last resort only; seat must be fully pushed back. |
| Child meeting height/weight for seat belt alone (usually 4'9" tall) | Moderate | Back seat still safest; front seat permissible if necessary, with seat fully back. |
Ultimately, the safest practice is unwavering: keep all children in the back seat properly restrained in an age- and size-appropriate car seat or booster seat for as long as possible.
