THE LAWS

The law on a child car seat can be divided into :
1 >> CAR
2 >> OTHER VEHICLES


1) CAR
    In the car, it can be divided into :

• Child up to 3 years old
• Children age 3 and above (until they reach either their 12th birthday or 135cm height)
• Children over 1.35m height or 12 years old
• Passenger over 14 years old

     Child up to 3 years old

       >> In the Front Seat
            The child MUST use the correct child restraint.

             It is illegal to carry a child in a rear-facing child seat in the front, which is protected by an active frontal airbag.

      

       >> In the Rear Seat

            The child MUST use the correct child restraint.

In a licensed taxi or licensed hire car, if a child restraint is not available then the child may travel unrestrained in the                                rear. This is the only exception for children under 3, and has been introduced for practical rather than safety reasons. You   should always think about ways to make sure that a child seat is available.

It is the driver's legal responsibility to ensure that the child is correctly restrained.

     Children age 3 and above (until they reach either their 12th birthday or    135cm height)

       >> In the Front Seat
            The child MUST use the correct child restraint.

      

       >> In the Rear Seat
            The child MUST use the correct restraint, where seat belts are fitted.

There are three exceptions where there is not a child seat available. In each case the child MUST use the adult belt instead. They are :

1) in a licensed taxi or private hire vehicle;

2) if the child is travelling on a short distance for reason of unexpected necessity;

3) if there are two occupied child restraints in the rear which prevent the fitment of a third.

In addition, a child 3 and over may travel unrestrained in the rear seat of a vehicle if seat belts are not available.
It is the driver's legal responsibility to ensure that the child is correctly restrained.

     Children over 1.35m height or 12 years old 

      >> In the Front Seat

           The adult seat belt MUST be worn if available.

      >> In the Rear Seat

           The adult seat belt MUST be worn if available.

It is the driver's legal responsibility to ensure that the child is correctly restrained.

     Passenger over 14 years old

When travelling in the front or rear seat, an adult seat belt MUST be worn if available. It is the responsibility of the individual passenger to ensure that they are wearing the seat belt.

2) OTHER VEHICLES

Front Seats

The law requires children (and adults) travelling in the front of all vehicles, including vans, buses, coaches, minibuses and goods vehicles to use an appropriate child restraint or adult seat belts.

Rear Seats

Rear Seats in Small Minibuses

Passengers sitting in the rear of minibuses that have an unladen weight of 2,540 kg or less must wear the seat belts that are provided. It is the driver’s responsibility to ensure that :

• children under 3 years of age use an appropriate child restraint if available.
• children aged between 3 and 11 years, under 1.35 metres tall use an appropriate child restraint if available, or if not available, wear the seat belt, if available.
• children aged 12 and 13 years (and younger children who are 1.35 metres or taller) use the seat belt, if available.

Passengers over the age of 14 years in smaller minibuses are legally responsible for wearing a seat belt themselves.

Rear Seats in Larger Minibuses

Passengers over the age of 14 MUST wear seat belts in the rear of larger minibuses (over 2,540 kg unladen weight). However, all passengers are strongly advised to wear seat belts or the correct child seat on all journeys.

Rear Seats in Coaches

Passengers over the age of 14 MUST wear seat belts in the rear coaches. However, all passengers are strongly advised to wear seat belts or the correct child seat on all journeys.