Car seat inspection finder
Find a car seat installation check near you.
Installing a seat is one thing. Knowing it’s right is another. Search 4,817 mapped stations from NHTSA’s list by ZIP, or browse all 5,020 by state and city. Call the station before you go.
Find a car seat check near you
Enter your ZIP code to see nearby stations. Search runs in your browser; your ZIP is not sent or stored.
Distances are straight-line estimates from aCensus ZIP area point, not driving distances. Some postal ZIPs have no Census area. Call to confirm appointments and fees.
Find a station by state
- Alabama15
- Alaska24
- Arizona67
- Arkansas31
- California205
- Colorado93
- Connecticut121
- Delaware4
- Florida116
- Georgia91
- Hawaii28
- Idaho89
- Illinois315
- Indiana160
- Iowa43
- Kansas141
- Kentucky49
- Louisiana100
- Maine38
- Maryland17
- Massachusetts235
- Michigan268
- Minnesota52
- Mississippi12
- Missouri355
- Montana34
- Nebraska26
- Nevada32
- New Hampshire74
- New Jersey32
- New Mexico8
- New York278
- North Carolina244
- North Dakota41
- Ohio141
- Oklahoma182
- Oregon40
- Pennsylvania159
- Rhode Island33
- South Carolina140
- South Dakota4
- Tennessee161
- Texas265
- Utah61
- Vermont50
- Virginia83
- Washington112
- Washington, D.C.1
- West Virginia42
- Wisconsin87
- Wyoming21
Dana’s prep list
Before you drive over
Bring
The seat and its base, the seat’s manual, and your vehicle owner’s manual. Bring the baby if they’re here; if not, go anyway, before your due date. Install it yourself first. The tech isn’t there to do it for you. You should leave able to redo it alone at 3am in a parking garage.
What they’ll look at
- Right seat for your child’s age and size, facing the right way
- Less than an inch of movement side to side or front to back at the belt path
- Recline angle for a newborn
- Harness height and snugness, and chest clip at armpit level
- Open recalls and the seat’s expiration date
Call first. These listings don’t include hours, and many stations only check seats by appointment. Ask about cost too: many checks are free, but not all.
Cities with the most stations
- Chicago, IL22
- Los Angeles, CA18
- Wilmington, NC18
- Honolulu, HI17
- Atlanta, GA16
- Indianapolis, IN16
- Oklahoma City, OK16
- Cincinnati, OH15
- Baton Rouge, LA12
- Rochester, NY12
- Tucson, AZ10
- Arvada, CO10
- Kansas City, MO10
- Springfield, MO10
- Hartford, CT9
- Meridian, ID9
- South Bend, IN9
- Kalamazoo, MI9
- Poplar Bluff, MO9
- St. Louis, MO9
- Houston, TX9
- Detroit, MI8
- Ft. Bragg, NC8
- Rocky Mount, NC8
Car seat questions
Before (and after) the check: straight answers
- Do Car Seats Expire?Yes, car seats expire. Where the manufacture and expiration dates hide on the seat, why a hand-me-down's age matters, and what to do with one that's done.Get the answer →
- When to Turn a Car Seat Forward-FacingThe answer isn't an age. It's the rear-facing limits on your seat's label. What the AAP actually says, why bent legs aren't a reason to switch, and how to read the label.Get the answer →
- Do You Have to Replace a Car Seat After an Accident?Not after every fender bender. NHTSA's five-part minor-crash test, when your seat's manual overrides it, and what to ask your insurer.Get the answer →
- Is a Used Car Seat Safe?A used car seat can be fine, but only if you know its history. The six questions to ask before you take a hand-me-down, and why Marketplace seats are a no from me.Get the answer →
- Winter Coats and Car SeatsPuffy coats and snowsuits don't go under a car seat harness. Why, the 10-second pinch test, and four ways to keep a baby warm that don't mess with the straps.Get the answer →
- Car Seat Accessories to SkipMost car seat add-ons sold separately from the seat haven't been tested with it. Dana's skip list: inserts, strap pads, buntings, head huggers, and what's actually fine.Get the answer →
- What Happens at a Car Seat Check?A car seat inspection is a lesson, not a drop-off. What a certified tech actually does, how long it usually takes, whether it's free, and when to book it.Get the answer →
Questions parents ask
Is a car seat inspection free?
Often, yes. Many inspection stations check seats at no cost, but some charge a fee. Ask when you call to book.
When should I get my car seat checked?
Before your due date. Install the seat or base yourself in the third trimester, then book a check so you have time to fix anything before the ride home. Go back after the baby arrives if you want the harness fit checked on your actual child.
Who does the check?
NHTSA’s locator lists stations with certified child passenger safety technicians, usually at fire departments, police departments, hospitals, health departments, and safety nonprofits.
Do I need an appointment?
Assume yes. The NHTSA listings do not include hours, and many stations check seats by appointment only. Call the number listed before you drive over.
Still choosing a seat? Read the infant vs. convertible car seat guide first, then book the check.
Station data comes from theNHTSA Child Car Seat Inspection Station Locator, copied October 2026. NHTSA updates its list; we don’t verify each station. Confirm by phone before you go. This is a directory, not safety advice for your specific seat or vehicle. Your seat and vehicle manuals are the authority.