Any person who has successfully met the minimum required training standards for installation of child restraint devices established by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration of the United States Department of Transportation, who in good faith and without compensation installs, or inspects the installation of, a child restraint device shall not be liable for any damages resulting from an act or omission related to such installation or inspection, unless such act or omission was the result of the person's gross negligence or willful misconduct.
§ 8.01-226.5.Immunity for installers and inspectors of child restraint devices.
Chapter 3. Actions · Article 21. Miscellaneous Provisions · Last amended 1999 · Last verified July 16, 2026
In one sentenceSection 8.01-226.5 protects a person trained to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s minimum standards who installs or inspects a child restraint device in good faith and without compensation from liability for resulting damages, unless the person’s gross negligence or willful misconduct caused the harm.
Full Text of § 8.01-226.5
Plain-English Summary
Car-seat installation is notoriously easy to get wrong, which is why many communities offer free installation-check events staffed by trained volunteers. This section protects those volunteers: someone who has met the minimum training standards for installing child restraint devices set by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, and who installs or inspects the installation of such a device in good faith and without compensation, is not liable for damages resulting from an act or omission connected to that installation or inspection.
As with the other volunteer-service immunities in this article, the protection stops at gross negligence or willful misconduct — a trained volunteer who makes an honest, good-faith mistake is protected; one who acts with serious disregard for safety is not.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a volunteer who installs a child car seat protected from liability if something goes wrong?
Yes, if the volunteer met NHTSA’s minimum training standards and acted in good faith and without compensation. Section 8.01-226.5 immunizes that person from resulting damages, unless the harm came from the person’s gross negligence or willful misconduct.
Does this section cover someone who just inspects an existing car-seat installation, or only someone who installs it?
Both — the statute covers installing a child restraint device and inspecting the installation of one.
What training does the immunity require?
The minimum required training standards for child-restraint-device installation established by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
Does this immunity cover a paid car-seat installation service?
No. It is limited to installation or inspection done in good faith and without compensation.
What conduct removes this immunity?
Gross negligence or willful misconduct on the part of the person installing or inspecting the device.
Amendment History
1999, c. 293.
Source & verification. Section text and amendment history are
reproduced verbatim from the Code of Virginia, published by the
Code of Virginia, Virginia Division of Legislative Automated Systems. Last verified July 16, 2026.
· Official source
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