Child Safety Information

Does Your Child Need a Car Seat?

Rhode Island requires children under a specific age/weight to be in a child safety seat while in a Sentinel Limousine vehicle. If you will not be bringing your own car seat, we can provide one that meets state requirements for an additional fee.

Check out our rental options below, and contact us today to reserve a child safety seat for your transportation services! All car seats must be installed by the client. Our chauffeurs are prohibited from installing car seats due to insurance liability.

RI Child Car Safety Seat Laws

Infants/Toddlers

• Type of seat: Infant seats and rear-facing convertible seats
• General guidelines: All infants and toddlers under the age of two and weighing less than 30 pounds must ride in a rear-facing car seat.

Toddlers/Preschoolers

• Type of seat: Convertible seats and forward-facing seats with harnesses
• General guidelines: All children two years old or older, or children under two who have outgrown the rear-facing seat, must use a forward-facing safety seat with a harness for as long as possible; up to the highest weight or height allowed per the car seat's manufacturer.

School-Age Children

• Type of seat: Booster seat
• General guidelines: All children whose weight or height is above the forward-facing limit for a harnessed car seat should use a belt-positioning booster seat until the vehicle seat belt fits properly; typically when a height of 4' 9" has been reached, and usually between 8 and 12 years of age.

Older Children

• Type of seat: Seat belt
• General guidelines: When children are old enough and meet the height requirements to use only the seat belt, they should always use lap and shoulder seat belts. All children under 13 should be restrained in the vehicle's rear seats for optimal protection.

Rhode Island State Law

Rhode Island has a primary seat belt law (R.I.G.L. § 31-22-22) that encompasses child restraint and child passenger safety.

• Any passenger thirteen (13) years of age or older, in any seating position, shall be transported properly wearing a safety belt and/or shoulder harness system per R.I.G.L. § 31-22-22(f).
• A motor vehicle operator shall be properly wearing a safety belt and/or shoulder harness system per R.I.G.L. § 31-22-22(g).
• All infants and toddlers under the age of two (2) years or weighing less than thirty (30) pounds must be restrained in a rear-facing car seat per R.I.G.L. § 31-22-22(a).
• Children under age eight (8) years old, less than fifty-seven (57) inches (4 feet, 9 inches) tall and weighing less than 80 lbs. (max weight limit of a booster seat) must be transported in any rear seating position of a motor vehicle and properly restrained in a child restraint system per R.I.G.L. § 31-22-22(a).
• Children between the ages of 8 through 12 as a passenger in any seating position shall be properly wearing a safety belt per R.I.G.L. § 31-22-22(a).

NOTE: Vehicle operators are responsible for compliance of sections (a), (b) and (f) for all passengers. The fine for a child riding in the front seat and/or over 8 years old not in a seatbelt is $85. A violation for transporting a child not in a child restraint system requires an appearance in court.