how old do you have to be to sit in the front seat

The recommended and safest age for a child to sit in the front seat of a car is generally 13 years old. This recommendation comes from child safety experts, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Most states in the U.S. follow this guideline, although specific laws on the minimum age to sit in the front seat vary by state. Some states have set a minimum age of 8 or 12 years, but many do not have laws mandating a minimum age, leaving the decision to parents. Safety considerations include child's height, weight, and maturity to sit properly with a seatbelt that fits well, as airbags can be dangerous to younger and smaller children sitting up front.