It is law for children to travel in a child seat appropriate to their weight and height and there are very few exceptions. It is the drivers responsibility to ensure that all passengers up to the age of 14 are correctly restrained.
Children up to 3 years:
Front seat: The child MUST use the correct child restraint.
Rear seat: The child MUST use the correct child restraint.
WARNING: It is ILLEGAL to use a rear facing child seat on the front seat with an active airbag.
Exceptions: Children up to the age of 3 may travel unrestrained in the rear when using a licensed taxi if a child restraint is not available. This is the only exception for under 3's and an effort should be made to use a child seat if one is not provided.
Children aged 3 - 12yrs or up to 4'5/135cm:
Front seat: the child MUST use the correct child restraint - check the VEHICLE MANUAL for airbag use.
Rear seat: the child MUST use the correct child restraint.
Exceptions: There are 3 exceptions for when a child seat is not available. In this case the child must use the adult seat belt instead.
Children up to 3 years:
Front seat: The child MUST use the correct child restraint.
Rear seat: The child MUST use the correct child restraint.
WARNING: It is ILLEGAL to use a rear facing child seat on the front seat with an active airbag.
Exceptions: Children up to the age of 3 may travel unrestrained in the rear when using a licensed taxi if a child restraint is not available. This is the only exception for under 3's and an effort should be made to use a child seat if one is not provided.
Children aged 3 - 12yrs or up to 4'5/135cm:
Front seat: the child MUST use the correct child restraint - check the VEHICLE MANUAL for airbag use.
Rear seat: the child MUST use the correct child restraint.
Exceptions: There are 3 exceptions for when a child seat is not available. In this case the child must use the adult seat belt instead.
- When using a taxi
- On a short journey of unexpected necessity
- If two OCCUPIED child restraints prevent the fitment of a third.
Additionally - Children 3 and over may travel unrestrained in the rear of a vehicle where seat belts are not provided.
Children over 4'5/135cm who are 12 or 13:
Front seat: Adult seat belt MUST be worn
Rear seat: Adult seat belt MUST be worn.
Passengers over 14 years:
When travelling in the front or rear of the seat, the seat belt must be worn if available. It is the passengers responsibility to wear the seat belt.
Additional info:
You may only use an adult seat belt to restrain ONE passenger or child restraint. It is illegal to have a baby or child on your lap with a seat belt over both occupants. It is illegal to use one adult seat belt to restrain two or more passengers.
Just because the exceptions are in place, it doesn't make that journey safe - every effort should be made to use a child restraint at all times.
Penalties and fines:
The most obvious penalty any parent or carer could face is knowing that they have caused the injury or death of a child in their care, which would cause unthinkable anguish and guilt.
If you are convicted of failing to correctly restrain a child in your care in accordance with the above laws, you could receive up to a £500 fine. It could also effect any claims on your vehicle insurance, any compensation claim that is paid out, or if the offence was serious enough, result in a prison term.
Children over 4'5/135cm who are 12 or 13:
Front seat: Adult seat belt MUST be worn
Rear seat: Adult seat belt MUST be worn.
Passengers over 14 years:
When travelling in the front or rear of the seat, the seat belt must be worn if available. It is the passengers responsibility to wear the seat belt.
Additional info:
You may only use an adult seat belt to restrain ONE passenger or child restraint. It is illegal to have a baby or child on your lap with a seat belt over both occupants. It is illegal to use one adult seat belt to restrain two or more passengers.
Just because the exceptions are in place, it doesn't make that journey safe - every effort should be made to use a child restraint at all times.
Penalties and fines:
The most obvious penalty any parent or carer could face is knowing that they have caused the injury or death of a child in their care, which would cause unthinkable anguish and guilt.
If you are convicted of failing to correctly restrain a child in your care in accordance with the above laws, you could receive up to a £500 fine. It could also effect any claims on your vehicle insurance, any compensation claim that is paid out, or if the offence was serious enough, result in a prison term.