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Child restraints and seatbelts 

Travelling in cars is so convenient that the dangers involved are often forgotten. You should make sure that you minimise the risk to yourself and your children.

Wearing a seatbelt and ensuring that your children wear seat belts or appropriate child restraints greatly reduces the risk of injury if an accident happens while travelling in the car.

Remember that as a driver, you are responsible for ensuring your child travels safely in any motor vehicle. This is specified in the law as detailed below.

 

 Front seat Rear seat Who is responsible
Child aged under 3 years Appropriate child restraint must be used. Appropriate child restraint must be used if available. Driver.
Child aged 3 to 11 and under 1.5 metres (approximately 5ft) tall. Appropriate child restraint must be used if available. If not, an adult seatbelt must be worn. Appropriate child restraint must be used if available. If not, an adult seatbelt must be worn. Driver.
Child aged 12 / 13 or younger and over 1.5 metres (approximately 5ft) tall. Adult seatbelt must be worn. Adult seatbelt must be worn. Driver.

What is an 'appropriate child restraint'?

Appropriate child restraints include:

  • baby carriers
  • child seats
  • harnesses
  • booster seats

They must be suitable for the child’s weight and must carry a BS Kitemark or a UN 'E' mark, plus a manufacturer’s label showing the weight for which it has been designed.

Smaller children using an adult seat may find it more comfortable to use a booster seat.

If available, any motor car manufactured after 1 January 1967 must have front seat belts fitted and every motor car manufactured after 1 April 1987 must have rear seat belts fitted.

Are there any exemptions from the law?

There are exemptions for children holding a medical exemption certificate or a disabled child wearing a disabled person’s belt.



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