The law requires all children travelling in cars to use the correct child restraint until they are either 135 cm in height or the age of 12 (which ever they reach first) . After this they must use an adult seat belt. There are very few exceptions which are set out below.
It is the driver's responsibility to ensure that children under the age of 14 years are restrained correctly in accordance with the law.
Children up to 3 years old
- 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.
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Children aged 3 and above, until they reach EITHER their 12th birthday OR 135cm in 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.
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Children over 1.35 metres in height, or who are 12 or 13 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.
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Passengers 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.
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