Many motor vehicle deaths of children ages 1-13 can be prevented with proper use of child safety seats. According to the Minnesota Department of Public Safety, three out of four child safety seats are used incorrectly.
Get your car seat checked
The Dakota County Sheriff’s Office, local police departments and other agencies can check your car seat for proper use. 
See a list of local contacts to set up an appointment.
Minnesota law
In 2024, Minnesota updated the Child Passenger Safety Law. The law requires that people do the following:
- Keep your child rear-facing as long as possible, at least until age two. Rear-facing is the safest position, letting us better protect the child's head, neck and spine.
- Once your child has outgrown their rear-facing car seat and they are at least age two, they can ride in a forward-facing car seat with an internal 5-point harness. They should continue to ride in the forward-facing car seat until they are at least age four and have outgrown the seat by the height or weight limit, according to the car seat manufacturer.
- Children need to ride in a booster seat until at least age 9 or until they've outgrown the booster seat and they can pass the 5-step test. When a child can do all five steps, they are ready to ride with the lap and shoulder belt on the vehicle seat.
- Children under the age of 13 must sit in a back seat of the vehicle, if possible.
- Every driver who transports a child under the age of 18 years in a motor vehicle, is required to have the child restrained in a car seat or seat belt.
Car seats for children in Dakota County
Expecting families and parents with children up to age 9 may be able to receive a free car seat.
Families on Medical Assistance can request a car seat with these insurance plans:
- Blue Plus: Contact Everyday Miracles at 612-353-6293 or request online.
- HealthPartners: Contact member services at 952-967-7998.
- Medica: Contact member services at 1-800-373-8335. Receive $70 towards a car seat during pregnancy.
- UCare: Contact member services at 612-676-3200.
Families with Fee for Services Medical Assistance (Straight MA), or those who are uninsured, can request a car seat by contacting the Dakota County Car Seat Program at 952-891-7523 or emailing phcarseats@co.dakota.mn.us.
More resources
For instructions on choosing a car seat and how to properly install a child safety seat, visit Minnesota Department of Public Safety website.