When placing your child in a car you should be conscious of the laws involving child car seats and traditional belts as there are differing regulations for different vehicles, types and ages of child. In all of these scenarios it is the obligation of the person driving to make certain children are restrained in the correct way.

Young infants

Very little children cannot be sat in a backward facing restraint if there is an airbag in front as this could cause significant injury.

Children three years old and under

A youngster in this age bracket should be restrained in the right car seat regardless of whether they are sat in the back or front of a vehicle. The only irregularity is when the compulsory restraints are not available in a licensed hire car or taxi. In vehicles of this kind a child up to three years of age may be unrestrained in the back; however, this is not ideal. Protecting the child is the crucial reason this law was created, therefore it is important that you try and predict these occasions so that the right seating is available.

Children over three and up to twelve, or 1.35 metres tall

To ensure a child is safe it is important that a seatbelt is in the right angle across a child’s torso. A law was brought in from 2006 which requires youngsters between three and twelve or under 1.35 metres tall to be seated in a car seat that is particularly designed so that children are secure in their seatbelt.

Children this size or age can wear an adult seatbelt in abnormal circumstances which include in licensed taxis or hire cars when the appropriate seat is not available, in an emergency if the journey is short and if two child seats are currently taken in the rear and there is not space for a third.

If seat belts are not present in the rear of a car then a youngster older than three is allowed by law to travel without restriction.

Children over 1.35 metres tall or twelve years plus

If an adult belt is present a child in this section must use it regardless of whether they are sat in the rear or front passenger seat.

On public transport such as coaches or buses and in a minibus a youth aged fourteen and above is required to wear an adult belt if it is available.

Additional information

These laws are applicable to everyone in the UK, regardless of whether they are nationals or people visiting from abroad. When renting an automobile the rental company should supply the proper child seats if they are notified in advance.

If your child is travelling in a car belonging to someone else you should ensure that the car has the necessary seat. It is up to you to make sure that your child is secure and correctly restrained.