Question 1

What happens at a car seat inspection?

Accepted Answer

A certified Child Passenger Safety Technician (CPST) checks how your car seat is installed and used, then guides you while you install it yourself. Safe Kids Worldwide, which runs the national technician certification program, calls it a one-on-one lesson rather than a drop-off service and says it typically takes 20 to 30 minutes. Technicians also check the seat for recalls, visible damage, and an expiration date.

Question 2

Are car seat inspections free?

Accepted Answer

Often, but not always. NHTSA says certified technicians will inspect your car seat free of charge in most cases, and the CDC says these services are usually free. Some stations in NHTSA's list mention a fee, so ask about cost when you call.

Question 3

Do I need an appointment?

Accepted Answer

Plan to call first. NHTSA says many local fire departments, law enforcement agencies, and children's hospitals inspect car seats by appointment year-round, and many stations in its list ask you to call for one. Station details are reported to NHTSA and can change, so confirm the address and hours before you go.

Question 4

What should I bring to a car seat check?

Accepted Answer

Safe Kids Worldwide recommends bringing the car seat's instruction manual and your vehicle owner's manual, knowing your child's current weight and height, and bringing your child if you can. It also suggests trying to install the seat in your vehicle, using both manuals, before your appointment.

Question 5

How does try.vin find stations near my ZIP code?

Accepted Answer

try.vin finds the center of your ZIP code's area in the U.S. Census Bureau's ZIP Code Tabulation Areas, then asks NHTSA for the inspection stations it lists within 25 miles, or within 100 miles when none are that close, and shows the nearest 50. Distances are straight-line miles from that center, not driving distance. A station NHTSA lists without a map location can't appear in this search, so the list can be incomplete.

Question 6

How do I find out if my car seat has been recalled?

Accepted Answer

Search NHTSA's recall site at nhtsa.gov/recalls, which covers car seats as well as vehicles, and register your seat with its manufacturer so it can contact you about recalls. NHTSA also sends car seat recall alerts by email and through its free SaferCar app. try.vin's recall pages cover vehicle recalls, not car seats.

Question 7

Should I replace a car seat after a crash?

Accepted Answer

NHTSA recommends replacing a car seat after a moderate or severe crash. After a minor crash it doesn't automatically need replacing: NHTSA counts a crash as minor only if the vehicle could be driven away, the door nearest the car seat wasn't damaged, no one was injured, no air bags deployed, and the seat shows no visible damage. Always follow the seat manufacturer's instructions; some recommend replacing a seat after any crash.

Question 8

Is try.vin part of NHTSA?

Accepted Answer

No. try.vin is not affiliated with NHTSA and doesn't inspect, certify, or vet any station. The stations come from NHTSA's public car seat inspection station list; if none is listed near you, NHTSA suggests looking for a technician through Safe Kids Worldwide.

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Car seat inspections — frequently asked questions

Car seat inspections — frequently asked questions

01 What happens at a car seat inspection?

02 Are car seat inspections free?

03 Do I need an appointment?

04 What should I bring to a car seat check?

05 How does try.vin find stations near my ZIP code?

06 How do I find out if my car seat has been recalled?

07 Should I replace a car seat after a crash?

08 Is try.vin part of NHTSA?