CPST - Certified Child Passenger Safety Technician Booster Seat and Belt Positioning Questions and Answers

Question 1

A 7-year-old child weighs 55 lbs and is 48 inches tall.
The caregiver wants to move them from a forward-facing harness to a booster seat.
According to the 5-step test for proper seat belt fit, which of the following is NOT a requirement for a child to be ready for a seat belt alone, and thus still needs a booster?

Accepted Answer

The child's feet can comfortably reach the vehicle floor.

Answer

The child's back is flat against the vehicle seat back.

Answer

The vehicle lap belt lies snugly across the upper thighs.

Answer

The shoulder belt lies across the center of the collarbone and chest.

Question 2

Which of the following is the MOST common misuse associated with belt-positioning booster seats?

Accepted Answer

Improper placement of the vehicle's shoulder and/or lap belt.

Answer

Using a backless booster in a vehicle with low seat backs.

Answer

Not securing the booster seat with the vehicle belt when unoccupied.

Answer

Using a booster seat with lower anchors when the vehicle seat belt is also used.

Question 3

A caregiver brings a 6-year-old to a checkup event. The child is using a high-back booster seat. The technician notices the vehicle's shoulder belt is positioned on the child's neck. What is the appropriate FIRST step for the technician to take?

Accepted Answer

Check if the booster's headrest and shoulder belt guide are adjusted correctly.

Answer

Advise the caregiver to switch to a backless booster.

Answer

Tell the caregiver the child is not ready for a booster seat.

Answer

Recommend the child place the shoulder belt behind their back for comfort.

Question 4

What is the primary reason a child who has outgrown their forward-facing harnessed seat is NOT ready for a vehicle seat belt alone and should use a belt-positioning booster?

Accepted Answer

To ensure the vehicle's lap and shoulder belts are positioned correctly on the strongest parts of the child's body.

Answer

To provide a place for the child to sleep comfortably on long trips.

Answer

To lift the child so they can see out the window better.

Answer

To satisfy state laws, which are the only determining factor for booster use.

Question 5

A parent states they just transitioned their 5-year-old, 42-pound child to a backless booster seat. The child often complains the shoulder belt bothers their neck and puts it behind their back during the ride. What should the CPST advise?

Accepted Answer

Use a shoulder belt adjuster clip that came with the booster to improve fit.

Answer

This is acceptable as long as the lap belt is positioned correctly.

Answer

Allow the child to use just the lap belt portion of the seat belt.

Answer

Move the child to the front seat where the belt geometry might be better.

Question 6

A child is considered to have a proper seat belt fit and no longer needs a booster seat only when they can pass the 5-step test. Which of these correctly describes the proper lap belt position?

Accepted Answer

Snugly across the upper thighs/low on the hips.

Answer

Snugly across the soft part of the stomach.

Answer

As high as possible on the abdomen, near the ribs.

Answer

Loosely draped over the child's lap.