No, Short Illinois Drivers Do Not Need a Booster Seat
Short kings and queens of Illinois, I have some good news.
Despite what you may have seen floating around on social media, you are not going to be required to sit in a booster seat to drive your car.
Yes, this is a thing people are sharing.
A graphic making the rounds on social media claims a new Illinois law went into effect September 1, 2026, requiring any driver under 5-foot-2 to use a booster seat.
The graphic even appears to be branded with the Illinois State Police Logo and claims the supposed law was created to ensure drivers can properly see the road, use their seat belts, and maintain control of their vehicles.
There's just one rather important problem.
The law isn't real.
No, Illinois Didn't Pass a Booster Seat Law for Short Drivers
There is no new Illinois law requiring adult drivers under a certain height to use booster seats.
I checked both the Illinois General Assembly and the Illinois Secretary of State websites for current vehicle laws, including its licensing requirements, and there is no 5-foot-2 rule hiding in there.
I also checked recent news releases from the Illinois State Police and again came up empty-handed. There is no announcement of a September 1 law requiring short drivers to use a booster seat.
In other words, the official-looking graphic isn't an official announcement.
Read More: Four Illinois Laws That Changed in 2026
Illinois Does Have Passenger Restraint Laws
Of course, Illinois does have actual laws governing seat belts and child passenger restraints. The state's vehicle code requires drivers and passengers to use properly adjusted seat belts, while children are subject to separate child passenger protection requirements.
But being a 5-foot-1 adult with a driver's license does not mean Illinois is about to make you roll up to work in a booster seat.
So if this particular meme has found its way into your Facebook feed, you can stop worrying.
Keep reading to find some things that are actually real (and weird) laws in Illinois