Child Passenger Safety

Child Safety Seat Insatllation and Safety Check Locations

Parent and Caregiver Resources

Technician Resources

Keeping children safe on West Virginia’s roadways is a priority for the Governor’s Highway Safety Program (GHSP). The GHSP Child Passenger Safety (CPS) Program receives federal funding that provides the educational materials, training, and supplies the program needs. Many certified instructors and technicians all across the state are trained to install car seats properly.

Each of our GHSP regional coordinators are CPS certified, and have a list of technicians that can assist you with your child safety seat. You may also check our CPS seat fitting stations directory to find a location where you can have your child safety seat inspected for defects, recalls, proper use, and proper installation.

The current West Virginia Child Passenger Safety Law states that all children up to the age of eight must be properly secured in a federally approved child safety seat, which does include a booster seat. The only size provision to the law is that if the child reaches the height of four feet and nine inches tall (4' 9")before their eighth birthday, a seat belt becomes legally sufficient. The CPS law is a primary enforcement law, meaning law enforcement can pull you over if they suspect your child is not properly restrained in a child safety seat. For more details on the law click here.

NEW RESOURCES TO KEEP CHILDREN SAFE IN AND AROUND CARS DURING COVID-19

Safe Kids Worldwide and Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association have put together to a comprehensive list of child passenger safety resources for families and Child Passenger Safety Technicians. Click here for more info.

Upcoming Child Passenger Safety Courses

Child Passenger Safety Technician Certification Course

June 23-26, 2020 | 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
WV DMV-Kanawha City, GHSP Garage, 5707 MacCorkle Ave., SE, Charleston, WV
Register online at http://cert.safekids.org with Course ID WV20200212184.
Contact Amy Boggs, State CPS Coordinator, for more information at 304-926-3843 or amy.m.boggs@wv.gov.

Child Passenger Safety Technician Certification Course
July 7-10, 2020 | 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
Trinity United Methodist, Mary's Cradle, 401 College Avenue, Bluefield, WV
Register online at http://cert.safekids.org with Course ID WV20200310273.
Contact Sgt. Adam Ballard at 304-301-2111 or amballard@wvchsp.org for more information.

Child Passenger Safety Technician Certification Course

July 21-24, 2020 | 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
Tygart Lake Lodge, 1240 Paul E Malone Rd., Grafton, WV
Register online at http://cert.safekids.org with Course ID WV20200422322.
Contact Pat McCarty at 304-622-6300 for more information.

For the latest and complete list of recalls and defects regarding child safety seats and vehicle restraints, please click here.

For questions about the CPS Program please contact the GHSP via email at dmvghsp@wv.gov or call 304-926-2509.