FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
At what age can my child ride in the front seat of my vehicle? California law requires all children 8 years of age or younger ride in the rear seat of a vehicle. There are special circumstances which provide exemption from the law. Your child may ride in the front seat if:
· Your vehicle has no rear seats. Rear seats are side-facing jump seats.
· Child safety restraints must never be placed on side-facing vehicle seats.
· The rear seats are rear-facing seats.
· The child restraint system cannot be properly installed in the rear seat.
· For example, your vehicle has lap belts only in the back seat, but there are lap and shoulder belts in the front seat. Your child is 5 and weighs 45 pounds and must ride in a booster seat. The booster seat must be used with a lap and shoulder belt; therefore your child may ride in the front seat.
· Children under age 7 occupy all rear seats.
· Medical reason (written by the pediatrician) requires that child not be restrained in the back seat. All children are safer in the back seat, ask another adult to ride with the child in the back.
It is strongly recommended by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration that all children ride in the back seat of a vehicle until 13 years of age.
How do I apply to become a CHP Officer? Visit our "Become a CHP Officer" page for more information and to submit your application online!
How do I become a CHP Public Safety Dispatcher? Visit our "Become a Public Safety Dispatcher" page for more information!
How do I get help with a Child Safety Seat? You can contact your nearest CHP Area Office, and schedule an appointment for assistance.
My car was towed. How do I get it released? While there are many reasons that a vehicle may be towed by the CHP, all will fall into one of two categories: "Stored" or "Impounded":
Stored Vehicles Vehicles stored by the CHP can be retrieved directly from the tow company by the registered owner or his/her agent. Some examples of "stored" vehicles include:
· Vehicle involved in a traffic collision and cannot be driven from the scene.
· Vehicle left parked on a freeway in excess of four hours.
· Vehicle left parked blocking a lane or creating a traffic hazard.
Impounded Vehicles Vehicles impounded by the CHP require a release from the office that caused it to be impounded. Tow companies will not release the vehicle unless they are directed to by the CHP. Common examples of "impounded" vehicles include:
· Vehicles towed because the driver did not have a valid Driver License.
· Vehicles towed as part of an investigation where further examination is necessary.
· Vehicles without valid paid registration.
If you are unsure of why your vehicle was towed or where it was towed to, please contact the office that caused your vehicle to be towed for more information.
Should my child be seated "rear facing" or "front facing"? Current law requires children to be seated in a "rear facing" child passenger restraint system until age two. The CHP recommends keeping your child rear-facing for as long as possible up to the upper weight limit of your child's car seat.
Rear-facing seats are the safest kind of restraint for young children. The vast majority of collisions are frontal (meaning the front of the car strikes something else). Occupants within the vehicle are traveling at the same speed of the car, and in the collision, the seat belt is the primary method of slowing the body to a stop. A rear-facing car seat allows this stopping force to be distributed all along the child's body, as opposed to small points where the seat belt would hold the child.
When in doubt, please come by any of our CHP offices to schedule a free car seat inspection.
How do I get a VIN inspection/verification? Please ensure you call the area office and schedule your VIN appointment. Once your appointment is scheduled, download the following documents and have them filled out prior to your arrival.
Stockton Area VIN Verification Appointment Confirmation
