Program Partners:
The National Digital Car Seat Check Form can be used in the following ways:
Download and print: Get a PDF version of the Digital Form User Guide
Click on the “+” sign next to each heading below to view the content.
Car seat checks provide caregivers with the opportunity to receive education, either in-person or virtually, about the correct use of their car seat. Best practice is to document a car seat check regardless of how it is conducted. The National Digital Car Seat Check Form is a useful tool to guiding and documenting a car seat check.
The NDCF digital platform can be used in the following ways:
An approved and active account is required to begin tracking seat check data using any of the electronic platforms. Nationally certified Child Passenger Safety Technicians and Instructors can create a free account.
Allow 1 to 3 business days to activate a new account. Technicians will receive an email to confirm account activation and log in information. CPSTs must plan ahead to ensure their account has been approved and is active prior to a car seat check event. Technicians are strongly encouraged to practice using the NDCF prior to their first event.
Program managers, regardless of certification can request access to agency data by emailing [email protected].
New NDCF account holders will be sent an email containing a username and password once the account has been approved. The username and password must be changed on initial login.
Note: Other forms of certification verification will not be accepted.
The NDCF has been extensively tested using Google Chrome and is the preferred browser when working with the web application, however it will operate on other current browsers.
To enable the autofill feature, consult the user guide for your preferred browser.
PRO TIP: The app is designed to be used in areas without Wi-Fi.
Mobile Apps are available for Apple. Android and Kindle in iTunes, Google Play, or Amazon app stores. Devices must have an operating system of 8.0 or newer to run smoothly.
Android Devices (Samsung, Google, HTC, etc.)
Go to the Play Store.
Go to the App Store.
The app is designed to be used in areas without Wi-Fi. Once the app has been downloaded onto a device, sign into the app using your NDCF user login information. Note: Initial login must be completed while connected to Wi-Fi.
If technicians are sharing the same device, log out or close the app prior to the next car seat check if a different technician is using the device.
Select Create New Check Form. All fields containing an asterisk (*) are required. Multiple children can be added to one check form connected to the caregiver.
Dashboards use cleaned data and statistical analysis to produce visualizations of misuse, car seat information, and vehicle information.
Each check form created receives a unique Form ID number. Once a seat check has been submitted, the seat checks are saved by the assigned Form ID number. Seat checks are listed on the Home Page by date of inspection.
This section must be completed prior to beginning the car seat check. Interview the caregiver to complete the information. Local level data not captured on the NDCF paper form may be collected separately or documented in the Documentation Box
PRO TIP: The NDCF provides an opportunity to practice using the form prior to a live seat check. Always select Practice for practice checks or mock seat sign offs for recertification.
All information in this section must be completed prior to beginning the car seat check.
Complete the vehicle information even if the caregiver received a ride to the car seat check from someone else (e.g., friend, relative, support program, etc.). If the caregiver did not arrive in a passenger vehicle (e.g., public transportation, on foot, etc.), select No Vehicle Present.
Enter make, model, and year. See Vehicle Make/Model/Model Year/Trim below.
NOTE: If the vehicle does not appear in menu, select 2010 or older and manually enter the information.
Visit checktoprotect.org to check for open vehicle recalls. Encourage the caregiver to use their cell phone (if available) or another electronic device to search for open vehicle recalls. If the caregiver is unable to check for a recall, search for the caregiver. If a recall is identified, use the Check to Protect website to locate a dealership and encourage the caregiver to contact a local dealership to schedule an appointment have the recall repaired for free. Note: Internet connection required.
Select the vehicle make, model, and year from the dropdown menus or enter it into the appropriate text boxes. Then enter the trim level of the vehicle model. The car trim level is sometimes referred to as the trim package. The trim level specifies a vehicle model’s level of performance, features, options, and extras. Note: If the vehicle make or model does not appear in the drop-down menu, verify all the vehicle information has been entered correctly.
Document the agency providing the car seat check. Begin typing the agency name in the box until it appears in the list and select it.
Note: To avoid duplication of agencies, always confirm and select the correct agency name listed in the NDCF. Once an agency has been added, it will be saved and does not need to be added again.
The caregiver must read the liability statement (or have it read to them), sign, and date the form prior to the car seat check.
Liability statement options:
Present the caregiver with the device to electronically capture a signature. The caregiver signature may also be collected on a paper form and recorded by checking Signature is on the paper check form.
Check this box if the car seat check information is being collected as part of a virtual car seat check or a virtual car seat sign off for recertification. Follow the guidelines in the National Digital Car Seat Check Form Guidance Document: Virtual Car Seat Checks to capture caregiver signature and acknowledgement of the liability statement.
The digital form automatically displays the current date. If the seat check information was collected on the NDCF paper form and is being entered into the digital platform, the date can be edited to reflect the date of the seat check.
Provide a description of the event. (e.g., Seat Check Saturday, one-on-one appointment, etc.).
Document all technicians who participated in the car seat check. Begin typing the last name of the technician. The field will auto populate. Select the technician’s name. NOTE: If the technician does not appear on the list, record the name(s) in the Documentation Box Only technicians who have active accounts can access seat check data.
Select the state or IHS area in which the seat check is occurring.
Document how the caregiver learned about the car seat check.
Click the Save button. Any required fields left blank will be highlighted in red and must be completed before the form can be created and saved.
Once the form has been successfully saved, a new page appears with the Form ID number.
This number may be recorded for future reference.
Select “add child” to begin adding children to the check form.
Identify if the caregiver arrived in a passenger vehicle that is available to perform inspection. If the caregiver arrived by public transportation, on foot, etc., select No.
Document where the CHILD is in the vehicle on arrival, even if the child is unrestrained. This location may be different than the location of the child’s CAR SEAT as documented in #8.
Select the age range of the child even if the child is not present.
Document the child’s weight in pounds. If weight is unknown, document estimated weight. Make note in the Documentation Box.
Document the child’s height in inches. If the height is unknown, report an estimated height and document that the height is estimated in the Documentation Box A offers additional information about converting centimeters to inches.
Note: If the caregiver is unsure of the child’s weight and height, the Technician has the option to verify height and weight on site if possible.
Select how the CHILD is secured on arrival. If the child is secured using a booster seat or seat belt, answer 7a. Child Seat Belt Correct.
This question only appears if the child arrived in a booster seat or is using a seat belt.
No: select all that apply.
All forms can be saved at any time by selecting “save draft.” Select “next page” to begin collecting CS On Arrival information.
Document where the CAR SEAT (CS) is located in the vehicle on arrival. This location may be different than the location of the CHILD, which is documented in question #2, Child Location in Vehicle.
Document the restraint type being used on arrival.
Note: If the car seat is an all-in-one, choose the option that best describes how it was installed. (e.g., RF Convertible, FF with Harness, Backless Booster, High-back Booster).
Document if the car seat harness is being used correctly on arrival. If the child arrived in a car seat/booster seat/seat belt and has been removed prior to assessment, instruct the caregiver to place the child back into the car seat/booster seat/seat belt without providing any instruction to accurately document all misuse.
If the car seat is uninstalled, Skip to #23.
Document the ways the car seat is installed in the vehicle on arrival; select all that apply. Document additional findings in the Documentation Box
Booster Use: Select how the booster was secured to the vehicle (e.g., lower anchors, top tether, uninstalled etc.).
Document if the car seat is reclined according to the car seat manufacturer’s instructions on arrival.
No: Select misuse
N/A: Select if recline angle does not apply to this car seat.
If the car seat is installed using lower anchors, document if the lower anchors are used correctly on arrival. No: select all misuse that applies.
N/A: Check if the car seat is not installed with lower anchors.
If the car seat is installed using a seat belt, document if the seat belt is used correctly on arrival.
If No, select all misuse that applies.
N/A: Check if the car seat is not installed with a seat belt.
Document if the tether is used per car seat manufacturer’s instructions on arrival.
No: Select all misuse that applies.
If more detail is necessary, include it in the Documentation Box
N/A: Check if the car seat does not have a tether or if a tether is present and not being used per the car seat manufacturer’s instructions (e.g., a convertible seat in the rear-facing position).
Document if the carry handle is being used according to the car seat manufacturer’s instructions on arrival.
N/A: Check if the car seat does not have a carry handle.
Document if the load leg/foot prop is being used according to the car seat manufacturer’s instructions on arrival.
N/A: Check if the car seat does not have load leg/foot prop.
Document if the anti-rebound bar is being used according to the car seat manufacturer’s instructions on arrival.
N/A: Check if the car seat does not have an anti-rebound bar.
Document if the rotating feature on the car seat is in a locked position on arrival.
Document if the caregiver is using any non-approved products on, under, or next to the car seat or on the seat belt on arrival.
Yes: Document additional information in the Documentation Box
Based on the child information and the car seat manufacturer’s instructions, document if the car seat is installed facing the correct direction on arrival.
Based on the information collected in #11 through #21, document if the car seat is installed according to the car seat manufacturer’s instructions on arrival.
Unknown: Check if the car seat instruction manual is unavailable to verify if the car seat is installed according to the car seat manufacturer’s instructions.
Based on information collected in question 1-3, and the car seat manufacturer’s instructions, determine if the child meets the age, weight, and height requirements of the car seat. Measure on site or discuss with caregiver to determine child’s weight and height.
Unborn Child: Select yes if the car seat can be used rear facing.
Unknown: Check unknown if the car seat instruction manual is unavailable and verification of weight and height is not possible.
Based on the information collected, determine if the car seat is appropriate/used according to the current state law.
N/A: Check if the state law does not apply to the current car seat check. To view your State’s CPS law, visit Governors Highway Safety Association. Internet connection is required.
Document if the car seat being used on arrival is missing labels needed to identify general use information.
Yes: Complete as much information as possible in #25 through #32.
Select the manufacturer name of the car seat being used on arrival from the dropdown menu.
Select the model name of the car seat being used on arrival. If the model name cannot be determined, select Unknown.
Other: If the model is not on the current dropdown menu, enter the model information.
Document the model number of the car seat being used on arrival. If the model number cannot be determined, enter U in the text box.
Document the date of manufacture of the car seat being used on arrival.
Document the expiration date, if available, of the car seat being used on arrival. Leave this field blank if the expiration date cannot be determined.
Determine and document if the car seat being used on arrival is expired.
Unknown: Check if unable to determine if the car seat is expired.
Using the car seat information collected, identify any recalls on the car seat being used on arrival and document them in the Documentation Box. If the recall has been repaired, document in the Documentation Box.
Unknown: Check if unable to determine if the car seat is recalled. To view the most recent recall link, visit NHTSA.gov. Internet connection required.
Determine and document if the history of the car seat being used on arrival is known.
Determine and document if the car seat being used on arrival has been involved in a crash.
Note: If the car seat has been involved in a crash or if the history of the car seat is unknown, consider the need to replace the car seat. For more information: NHTSA Car Seat Use After a Crash.
Determine and document if the car seat being used on arrival is registered with the car seat manufacturer, using the caregiver’s current address. If the car seat is not registered or if it is unknown if the car seat is registered, provide guidance to the caregiver on how to register the car seat. Consider registering the car seat on-site prior to the caregiver leaving the car seat check.
Document where the CHILD and the CAR SEAT are located in the vehicle on departure. These should be the same location in the vehicle.
Check restraint type used on departure.
Note: If the car seat is an all-in-one, choose the option that best describes how it was installed. (e.g., Rear-Facing (RF) Convertible, Forward-Facing (FF) with Harness, Backless Booster, High-back Booster)
Select how the CHILD is secured on departure.
No Child Present: Select if no child is present at the car seat check.
Document how the CAR SEAT is installed in the vehicle on departure. Select all that apply. Document additional findings in the Documentation Box
Document if the same car seat is used on arrival and departure.
Yes: If the same car seat is used on arrival and departure, skip to #46.
Document the manufacturer name of the car seat being used on departure. If the manufacturer information cannot be determined, enter Unknown in the text box. If the manufacturer is not listed, select Other and enter the manufacturer information.
Document the model name of the car seat being used on departure. If the model information cannot be determined, enter U in the text box.
Document the model number of the car seat being used on departure. If the model number cannot be determined, enter U in the text box.
Document the expiration date, if available, of the car seat being used on departure.
Document the expiration date, if available, of the car seat being used on departure.
Document who is responsible for registering the car seat being used on departure.
N/A: Select if no car seat is being used on departure.
Document if the car seat being used on departure is compatible with the vehicle.
Note: If there was any incompatibility on arrival, document issues in the Documentation Box.
Select all difficulties that you encountered when installing the car seat being used on departure.
Other: If a description of the installation difficulty is not listed, provide a brief description in the Other box. If more detail is necessary, include it in the Documentation Box
Document if all corrections were made to the car seat prior to departure. Complete this question even if there is no child present.
No: Provide an explanation as to why all corrections are not made in the Documentation Box. Only select No if the seat is not correct for the child or the seat is otherwise unusable (expired, damaged, or incorrect seat selection – age, height, weight).
Document seat check details. Do not put personal information in the box.
Check all topics discussed with caregiver. Nationally certified CPS Technicians can access the 2024 Child Passenger Safety Technician Certification Training — Technician Guide for additional information about the following topics as indicated below.
The caregiver indicates if he/she harnessed a child/doll in the car seat. If the car seat check information is being collected as part of a virtual car seat check, the technician will select the appropriate response based on the caregiver’s actions.
No: Provide an explanation in the Agency Documentation Box.
N/A: Check if there is no child or doll present.
The caregiver indicates they installed the car seat today. If the car seat check information is being collected as part of a virtual car seat check, the technician will select the appropriate response based on the caregiver’s actions.
No: Provide an explanation in the Agency Documentation Box.
N/A: Select if the car seat is not installed in a vehicle or it is installed on a vehicle demonstration seat.
The caregiver acknowledges #49 and #50 by signing his/her initials. For a virtual seat check, enter the letters VR.
Document if the caregiver provided a donation.
Yes: If yes, enter the donation amount in Caregiver Donation Amount.
Document if educational materials are provided.
Document a final sign off by a senior checker, an Instructor, or a Technician Proxy prior to departure, if required. If not required, leave blank.
Check the appropriate box.
Check the appropriate box. Mock seat checks are not a formal seat check and are typically done with another adult in a role-playing exercise.
Note: The NDCF program supports the National Child Passenger Safety Board’s guidance that best practice for seat check sign offs is to observe interactions and education at an actual event with caregivers in attendance. Mock seat checks should be the final resort to meet any required seat check sign off. For more information about seat sign offs. Please visit National CPS Certification.
Document seat check details. Do not put personal information in the Documentation Box.
Car seat check forms can saved in draft and edited until the form is submitted. To protect the fidelity of the information collected, the form cannot be edited once submitted.
Once the form has been reviewed and is ready to be submitted, select Submit. If a data field must be corrected, submit a request through the Report Feedback tab in Car Seat Check Form. A record is kept of changes made to the submitted form.
Note: If there have been substantial changes to the overall check form, consider starting a new form to avoid errors in reporting.
Forms cannot be submitted with missing data fields.
If Wi-Fi is not available, check forms(s) will be saved in the app until a Wi-Fi is available.
Select View or Submit Saved Check Forms button on home page menu.
If there is no Wi-Fi available, car seat check forms will be saved in the app until a Wi-Fi/data connection is available.