Child car seat changes: Tennessee police warning parents of new standards

What This Story Is About

• New federal standards will affect child car seats sold after Dec. 5, 2026, according to the Metro Nashville Police Department’s Traffic Division.

Why It Matters

• Police say parents may see different height and weight guidance on new seats, even for models they already own.

What Happens Next

• Police advise caregivers to follow both the car seat and vehicle manufacturers’ instructions and keep children rear-facing as long as possible within those limits.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WSMV) - Metro Nashville Police are alerting parents and caregivers to new federal child car seat standards that will affect seats sold after Dec. 5, 2026.

Here’s what is changing

MNPD’s Traffic Division says the standards require rear-facing use for children under 2 years old and weighing 30 pounds or less. Police said new seats may have different height and weight guidance than older versions of the same model.

What the law says

Under Tennessee law, children younger than 1 year old and weighing 20 pounds or less must ride rear-facing. Police also noted that state law requires caregivers to follow car seat manufacturers’ instructions.

The Traffic Division recommends keeping children rear-facing as long as possible within the seat’s limits. That position helps support a child’s neck and spine during a collision, police said.

Caregivers should follow the instructions provided by both the car seat manufacturer and vehicle manufacturer.