Car Seat Laws & Requirements

We know that keeping your little ones safe on the road is your number one priority, and understanding car seat laws and requirements is key to giving yourself that peace of mind. Here at Eurorepar, we are not just about fixing cars. We want to empower you with the knowledge you need to make informed decisions about your young one’s safety. So, lets dive into car seat laws and booster seat requirements, to keep you informed and up to date.

What is the law for child car seats?

Children’s car seat laws have seen some changes over the past few years, which has made understanding the rules more confusing.

UK law currently states that children must use a car seat until they are 12 years old or 135cm – whichever comes first.

Only an EU-approved car seat can be used in the UK. Those approved outside of the EU will not be accepted in the UK. Buying the wrong one could mean risking your little one’s life, whilst also breaking the law!

How do I choose which seat my child should use?

You can choose a car seat for your child based on their height or weight. Below we have a couple of examples:

·         Height-based child seats are called i-Size seats and are usually opted for as they keep your child rear-facing for longer as well as including a side impact test. These seats provide more all-round protection, complying with regulation ECE R129. It’s also more likely that you’ll know your child’s height, instead of weight!

·         Weight-based child seats come in a range of options: 0-10 or 13kg, 9 to 18kg, 15-25kg or 22-36kg. These kinds of seats will conform to an older regulation: either ECE R44.03 or ECE R44.04. Designed to last your child longer, with some weight-based seats even claiming to protect your child from 0 to 6 years old.

Height-based seats must be rear-facing until the child is over 15 months old. However, when it comes to weight-based seats, the seat your child can use and how it must be positioned will depend on their weight group.

As per the government website, these are the current rules:

What are the rules on fitting a child car seat?

When it comes to child car seat rules, it’s the law that you must only use a child car seat if your car’s seat belt has a diagonal strap – unless the seat is specifically designed for use with a lap seat belt or is fitted using ISOFIX* anchor points. *The ISOFIX seat system consists of three anchor points: two at the bottom of the seat and one either at the upper or lower part of the seat to prevent the seat from tipping over.

You must also deactivate any front airbags before fitting a rear-facing baby seat in a front seat, and ensure you never fit a child car seat in side-facing seats.

When can children legally travel without a car seat?

There are some exceptions for when a child doesn’t need to travel with a car seat. For example, children with disabilities or medical conditions may use a disabled person’s seat belt or child restraint designed for their needs. Also:

·         A child can travel in a taxi without a car seat but wearing a seat belt – only if the driver doesn’t provide the correct child car seat. They must travel in the rear and wear an adult seat belt if they’re over the age of three.

·         Children can also travel in a coach or minibus without a child car seat, but must travel in the rear seats, and again, children over the age of three must use a seat belt.

·         Unexpected but necessary journeys over a short distance are an exception for a child over three years old being able to use the adult seatbelt.

Whose responsibility is it & what are the penalties?

It is the driver of the vehicle’s responsibility to ensure all passengers are safely strapped in. On-the-spot fines could be up to £500, but in a worse case scenario, children could be seriously harmed in accidents if the laws are not adhered to.

Children cannot just use an adult seatbelt because their bodies are still in early stages of development – they need specific protection!

What is a booster seat?

A booster seat helps to raise your child’s body so that they can be suitably secured by a standard, adult seatbelt. The booster seat law in the UK details that your child must use a booster seat until they are either 12 years old or measure 135cm, whichever milestone comes first. The two types available in the UK are backless booster seats and high-back booster seats:

·         High-back booster seats have a back and headrest that offer additional support for your child’s head and neck. These are considered to be the best booster seat for the comfort and safety of your child – putting your mind at ease while you’re driving. Designed for children weighing between 15-36kg, high-back booster seats are chosen for ultimate protection.

·         Backless booster seats do not have a back or headrest and are used to raise the height of your child by 4-6 inches. The added booster seat height moves your child’s torso within the protection of a seat belt, to restrict in the case of any accidents. These seats are for older children who are above 125cm and weigh more than 22kg.

Our car-seat law guide is an essential read for safe driving with your toddler, so we hope you’ve taken the time to digest it all! To discover more helpful information for safe driving, or for general motor advice and information, head over to our blog.