California Vehicle Code 27360 sets forth the main laws regarding the use of child restraint systems for drivers in California. The purpose is to promote child passenger safety. According to this section, a child under the age of two must ride in a rear-facing car seat unless: The child weighs more than 40 pounds; or, Is more than 40 inches tall. VC 27360 also states that children under the age of 8 must be secured in a child safety seat or booster seat in the back seat of a vehicle - never in the front seat, where the passenger airbag can hurt the child.