UK Car Seat Law

Traveling with your Children

UK Requirements for Car Seats

Child Restraints - New Laws

New regulations governing the use of child car seats came into force on 18 September 2006.

The law now requires all children traveling in cars to use an appropriate child restraint or adult seat belt.

It is the driver's responsibility to ensure that children under the age of 14 years are restrained correctly in accordance with the law.

All children under the age of 12 will have to use some form of child car seat, unless they are taller than 135cm (4ft 5in). Most children reach 135cm around the age of nine.

Which children are not affected?

A child over the age of 12 or more than 135cm tall, may use an adult seat belt. However, the Department for Transport recommends that children should continue using booster cushions or booster seats until they are 150cm (4ft 11in) tall.

Are there any exceptions?

Yes. There are certain exceptions when a child between three and 12 years old may travel in the back of a car using no more than an adult seat belt:

• Short and occasional journeys made for reasons of "unexpected necessity"
  • Picking up a friend's child unexpectedly
• Two other children are already using restraints in the back seat, leaving no room for a third
  • We would suggest that it would then be safer for the child to travel in the front of the car using the appropriate seat or cushion
• Taxis

• In old cars with no seat belts children between three and 12 may travel in the back seat
  • The Department for Transport, however, points out that this is no considered safe
• Emergency vehicles, including ambulances and police cars, are exempt

Who is Responsible?

The driver is responsible for violations by passengers under the age of 14 (except in taxis with fixed partitions) and the Police can impose a £30 fixed penalty. Should the case go before a court the maximum fine is £500.

How to persuade your child to use a child car seat/booster (opens in a new window)

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