• Car Safety Seats: A Guide for Families

Each year thousands of young children are killed or injured in car crashes. You can help keep this from happening to your child by using car safety seats and seat belts correctly on every single trip you take. Here are some helpful tips.
Which car safety seat is the best?
No one seat is the "best" or "safest." The best seat is the one that fits your child's size, is correctly installed, and is used properly every time you drive. When shopping for a car safety seat, keep the following in mind:

  • Don't decide by price alone. A higher price does not mean the seat is safer or easier to use. All car safety seats available for sale in the United States must meet government safety standards.
  • When you find a seat you like, try it out. Put your child in it and adjust the harnesses and buckles. Make sure it fits properly and securely in your car.
  • Keep in mind that pictures or displays of car safety seats may not show them being used the right way.

Important safety rules

  • Always use a car safety seat. Start with your baby's first ride home from the hospital.
  • Never place a child in a rear-facing car safety seat in the front seat of a vehicle that has a passenger air bag.
  • All children younger than 13 years are safest in the back seat.
  • Be a good role model—always wear your seat belt. This will help your child form a lifelong habit of buckling up.
  • Remember that each car safety seat is different. Read and keep the instructions that came with your seat handy, and follow them at all times.
  • Read your car owner's manual for information about installing your car safety seat.

Rear-facing seats


All infants should ride rear-facing until they have reached at least 1 year of age and weigh at least 20 pounds. That means that if your baby reaches 20 pounds before her first birthday, she should remain rear-facing at least until she turns 1 year old. It is best for children to ride rear-facing to the highest weight or height allowed by the manufacturer.
There are 2 types of rear-facing seats: infant-only seats and convertible seats. Convertible seats can be used rear-facing for infants, and then turned forward-facing once your child is old enough and big enough to do so safely.

Infant-only seats



  • Small and have carrying handles (sometimes come as part of a stroller system).
  • Have a built-in harness.
  • Are used for infants from birth up to 22 to 30 pounds, depending on model.
  • Many come with a base that can be left in the car. The seat clicks into and out of the base, so you don't have to install the base each time you use it.

Convertible seats (used rear-facing)

  • Are used rear-facing from birth until your child is at least 1 year of age and at least 20 pounds. It is best for children to ride rear-facing to the highest weight or height allowed by the manufacturer, usually 30 pounds or more for all new convertible seats. Check your car safety seat instructions to find the weight and height limits for rear-facing.
  • Have higher rear-facing weight limits than infant-only seats and are good for bigger babies.
  • Have the following 3 types of harnesses:

convertible seats
    • 5-point harness—5 points of attachment: 2 at the shoulders, 2 at the hips, 1 at the crotch.
    • Overhead shield—A padded tray-like shield that swings down over the child.
    • T-shield—A padded t-shaped or triangle-shaped shield attached to the shoulder straps.
  • INTERNATIONAL DRIVING PERMITS

Although many countries do not recognize U.S. driver's licenses, most countries accept an international driving permit (IDP). IDPs are honored in more than 150 countries outside the U.S. (See AAA’s application form for the list of countries. They function as an official translation of a U.S. driver's license into 10 foreign languages. These licenses are not intended to replace valid U.S. state licenses and should only be used as a supplement to a valid license. IDPs are not valid in an individual’s country of residence. Before departure, you can obtain one from an automobile association authorized by the U.S. Department of State to issue IDPs. Article 24 of the United Nations Convention on Road Traffic (1949) authorizes the U.S. Department of State to empower certain organizations to issue IDPs to those who hold valid U.S. driver’s licenses. The Department has designated the American Automobile Association (AAA) and the American Automobile Touring Alliance as the only authorized distributors of IDPs.
Many foreign countries require deposit of a customs duty or an equivalent bond for each tourist automobile entering its territory, and the motoring associations are equipped with the necessary facilities for providing expeditiously a standard bond document (Article 3 of the Convention). The Convention is not applicable to United States motorists using their cars in the United States.
HOW TO APPLY FOR AN INTERNATIONAL DRIVING PERMIT:
Before departure, you can obtain one at a local office of one of the two automobile associations authorized by the U.S. Department of State: the American Automobile Association and the American Automobile Touring Alliance.

To apply for an international driving permit, you must be at least age 18, and you will need to present two passport-size photographs and your valid U.S. license. The cost of an international driving permit from these U.S. State Department-authorized organizations is under $20.00.
INTERNATIONAL DRIVING PERMITS ISSUED BY UNAUTHORIZED PERSONS:
The Department of State is aware that IDPs are being sold over the Internet and in person by persons not authorized by the Department of State pursuant to the requirements of the U.N. Convention of 1949. Moreover, many of these IDPs are being sold for large sums of money, far greater than the sum charged by entities authorized by the Department of State. Consumers experiencing problems should report problems to their local office of the U.S. Postal Inspector, Federal Trade Commission (FTC), the Better Business Bureau, or their state or local Attorney General’s Office.
Auto Insurance
Car rental agencies overseas usually provide auto insurance, but in some countries, the required coverage is minimal. When renting a car overseas, consider purchasing insurance coverage that is at least equivalent to that which you carry at home. In general, your U.S. auto insurance does not cover you abroad. However, your policy may apply when you drive to countries neighboring the United States. Check with your insurer to see if your policy covers you in Canada, Mexico, or countries south of Mexico. Even if your policy is valid in one of these countries, it may not meet that country’s minimum requirements. For instance, in most of Canada, you must carry at least $200,000 in liability insurance, and Mexico requires that, if vehicles do not carry theft, third party liability, and comprehensive insurance, the owner must post a bond that could be as high as 50% of the value of the vehicle. If you are under-insured for a country, auto insurance can usually be purchased on either side of the border.
Driving Abroad
The U.S. Department of State, Overseas Security Advisory Council (OSAC) provides brochures for American families and business travelers abroad for guidance about driving overseas.

APPLICATION FOR INTERNATIONAL DRIVING PERMIT or INTER-AMERICAN DRIVING PERMIT FEE FOR EACH PERMIT $15.00 MANDATORY REQUIREMENTS

  1. Attach 2 recent signed Passport Type Photos (2" x 2") SIGNED ON BACK
  2. Enclose permit fee of $15.00 (NO CASH)
  3. If mailing application, a photocopy of U.S. Driver's License must accompany completed application. (both sides)
  4. International Driving Permit (Fee $15.00 and 2 Passport Type Photos signed on back

Inter-American Driving Permit *** (see reverse side) (Fee $15.00 and 2 Passport Type Photos signed on back
 
 
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