What is the California requirement for child safety seats for most children under eight?

Answer: C — They must ride in a child safety seat or booster in the back seat.

California requires most children under eight to ride in a child safety seat or booster in the back seat. This rule exists to keep young riders properly restrained and to ensure the belt or harness fits correctly, which significantly reduces injury risk in a crash. The back seat is preferred because airbags in the front can be dangerous for smaller passengers and a proper restraint helps keep them in the safest position. There are rare exceptions when the back seat isn’t available, but the standard practice is clear: use a suitable seat or booster in the rear. Options suggesting riding without restraints, riding in the front with a booster, or wearing a helmet in the back seat don’t align with this safety requirement.