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The Law has changed
The THINK! poster advertising the new Child Seat Belt Law
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The Law relating to Child Seat belt changed on 18th September 2006. The new law says that all children under the height of 135cm or 12-13 years old MUST use the correct child restraint system to suit their size.
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Breakdown of the new law
| From 18 September 2006 in cars, vans and goods vehicles |
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Front Seat |
Rear Seat |
Who is responsible? |
| Driver |
Seat belt MUST be worn if available. |
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Driver |
Child up to
3 years |
Correct child restraint MUST be used |
Correct child restraint MUST be used. If one is not available in a taxi, may travel unrestrained. |
Driver |
| Child from 3rd birthday up to 135cms in height (approx 4'5") (or 12th birthday whichever they reach first) |
Correct child restraint MUST be used |
Where seat belts fitted, correct child restraint MUST be used. Must use adult belt if the correct child restraint is not available:
- in a licensed taxi/private hire vehicle; or
- for a short distance for reason of unexpected necessity; or
- two occupied child restraints prevent fitment of a third
A child 3 and over may travel unrestrained in the rear seat of a vehicle if seat belts are not available
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Driver |
| Child over 1.35 metres (approx 4ft 5ins in height) or 12 or 13 years |
Seat belt MUST be worn if available |
Seat belt MUST be worn if available |
Driver |
| Adult passengers (ie 14 years and over) |
Seat belt MUST be worn if available |
Seat belt MUST be worn if available |
Passenger |
An adult belt is designed for someone with an adult bone structure and who is 135cms (approximately 4'5") or taller. It is not designed for a child therefore you should be using one of the four options below
Rearward-facing Baby Seats
Illustration of a rearward-facing baby seat
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Group 0 for babies up to 10 kgs (22 lbs) roughly from birth to 6-9 months, or Group 0+ for babies up to 13kg (29lbs) roughly from birth to 12-15 months
They can be used in the front or rear of the car. It is safer to put them in the rear. DO NOT put them in the front passenger seat if there is a passenger airbag. Rearward-facing seats provide greater protection for the baby's head, neck and spine than forward-facing seats.
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So, it is best to keep your baby in a rearward-facing seat for as long as possible. Only move them to a forward-facing seat once they have exceeded the maximum weight for the baby seat, or the top of their head is higher than the top of the seat.
Forward facing child seat
Illustration of a forward facing child seat
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Group 1 for children weighing 9-18 kgs (20-40 lbs) roughly from 9 months - 4 years.
They can be used in the front or rear of the car, but it is safer to put them in the rear, especially if there is a passenger airbag in the front. Only move your child to a booster seat once they have exceeded the maximum weight for the child seat, or the top of their head is higher than the top of the seat.
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Booster seat
Illustration of a Booster seat
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Group 2 for children weighing 15 - 25 kgs (33 - 55 lbs) roughly 4 to 6 years.
They can be used in the front or rear of the car, but it is safer to put them in the rear, especially if there is a passenger airbag in the front. Some Booster seats are designed to be converted into a booster cushion by detaching the back rest.
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Booster cushion
Illustration of a Booster cushion
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Group 3: for children weighing 22 - 36 kgs (48 - 79 lbs) roughly from 6 - 11 years.
They can be used in the front or rear of the car, but it is safer to put them in the rear, especially if there is a passenger airbag in the front.
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Booster seats and booster cushions do not have an integral harness to hold the child in place.
The adult seat belt goes around the child and the seat. So it is important that the seat belt is correctly adjusted. The basic points to note are:
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The belt should be worn as tight as possible |
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The lap belt should go over the pelvic region, not the stomach |
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The diagonal strap should rest over the shoulder, not the neck |
Further information
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