Keith Mack
The use of child car seats in the UK became law in 2006. The law states that children must use a car seat until they are 12 years old or 135 cm tall, whichever comes first. Children over 12 or taller than 135 cm must wear a seat belt.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| When did car seats become law in the UK? | 2006 |
| When must children use a child car seat? | Until they're 12 years old or 135cm/4ft 5in tall, whichever comes first |
| When can children start using a seat belt? | When they're over 12 years old or more than 135cm tall |
| When did the law change for backless booster seats? | March 2017 |
| What type of child seats can be used in the UK? | Only EU-approved height-based or weight-based child car seats |
| What label do EU-approved height-based child car seats have? | A capital 'E' in a circle and 'R129' |
| What label do EU-approved weight-based child car seats have? | A capital 'E' in a circle and 'ECE R44' |
What You'll Learn
Height-based car seats
Height-based vs weight-based car seats
Requirements for height-based car seats
EU-approved seats
Only EU-approved height-based child car seats can be used in the UK. These will have a label showing a capital 'E' in a circle and 'R129'.
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Weight-based car seats
In the UK, the law states that children must use a car seat until they are 12 years old or 135 cm tall, whichever comes first. After this, children must wear a seat belt.
Only EU-approved weight-based child car seats can be used in the UK. These will have a label showing a capital 'E' in a circle and 'ECE R44'.
It is important to choose the correct weight-based car seat for your child's weight and size. Moving babies and younger children up to the next group before they reach the maximum weight or height for their seat could lead to more severe injuries in the event of a crash. It is also against the law to put your child in a seat that is inappropriate for their weight.
When installing a weight-based car seat, it must be fitted using ISOFIX mountings or a diagonal seat belt strap.
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Exemptions for taxis, minicabs, coaches, and minibuses
In the UK, child car seats are a legal requirement, and the law dictates that a child must use one until they are 12 years old or 135 cm tall, whichever comes first. However, there are some exceptions to this rule when it comes to travelling in taxis, minicabs, coaches, and minibuses.
Taxis and Minicabs
When travelling in a taxi or minicab, children are exempt from using a child car seat if the driver does not provide one. In such cases, they must wear an adult seat belt if they are over three years old and sit in the rear of the vehicle. If a child under three does not have a child restraint, they may travel unrestrained in the rear. If a suitable child seat or booster is available, children may travel in the front of a taxi or minicab. The driver is responsible for ensuring that children under 14 years of age use seat belts or child seats/boosters as required.
It is recommended that, when booking a taxi or minicab, you check if the vehicle has seat belts and if they can provide a suitable child restraint or allow you to use your own. If the seat belts are not usable, do not get into the vehicle and request a replacement.
Coaches
On coaches, the law does not require passengers under 14 years old to wear a seat belt. However, passengers over 14 must wear one, and they must be notified of this requirement, usually by a notice on the vehicle, an announcement, or a film. While child restraints are not required to be provided on coaches, if they are available and can be fitted properly, they must be used.
Minibuses
In minibuses, children under three years old are not permitted to travel in the front without an appropriate child restraint. In the rear seats, children under three may travel unrestrained, although this is not recommended. All children must travel in the rear seats if a child car seat or an adult seat belt is not fitted. If a child car seat is fitted, children must use it if they are under 135 cm in height or under 12 years old, whichever comes first. If not, they must use an adult seat belt.
Similar to coaches, operators of minibuses are not required to provide child seats, but if they are available and can be fitted properly, they must be used. When booking a minibus, it is recommended that you check if it has seat belts and if child restraints can be provided or if you can use your own.
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Child car seat installation
In the UK, it is a legal requirement for children to use a child car seat until they are 12 years old or 135 cm tall, whichever comes first. Children over 12 years or more than 135 cm tall must wear a seat belt. When installing a child car seat, there are several important steps to follow to ensure your child's safety:
First, always refer to the owner's manuals of both your vehicle and your car seat. If you need assistance, you can reach out to a car seat technician or find a certified child passenger safety technician (CPST) who can help. The back seat is generally the safest place for children under 13 years old to ride, but not all cars allow for a car seat in every seating position. Check your car owner's manual to identify the correct placement for your child's car seat.
There are two common methods for securing a child car seat: using the vehicle's seat belt or utilising the lower anchors and tethers for children (LATCH). If using the seat belt, ensure that it is a diagonal strap unless the car seat is specifically designed for use with a lap seat belt or fitted using ISOFIX anchor points. Thread the seat belt through the car seat at the belt path, following the arrows or directions on the car seat label. For forward-facing car seats, be sure to use a top tether in conjunction with the seat belt. Alternatively, you can use the LATCH system, which employs the lower anchors in your vehicle to attach the car seat securely. Do not use the seat belt and LATCH simultaneously; choose the method that provides the snuggest fit.
Regardless of the method you choose, perform the Inch Test to ensure a secure installation. Your car seat should not move more than one inch front to back or side to side when pulled at the seat belt path. This test applies to both forward- and rear-facing car seats and is applicable whether you use the seat belt or LATCH for installation. Additionally, be mindful of weight limits when using LATCH. Refer to the car seat label for the specified weight limit, and once your child exceeds this limit, transition to securing the car seat with the seat belt and top tether.
When placing your child in the car seat, ensure their back is flat against the car seat. Position the harness straps over their shoulders, ensuring they lie flat and are not twisted. Thread the straps through the slots located at or below the child's shoulders. Buckle the harness and chest clip, tightening until snug. You should not be able to pinch any extra material at the shoulder. Avoid bulky clothing or blankets under the harness, and always buckle the child first before placing coats or blankets over the harness. If your child requires additional support, use small, rolled blankets to fill empty spaces at their sides and around their head and shoulders.
As your child grows, remember to adjust the car seat angle as per the manufacturer's instructions. Additionally, keep in mind that height-based 'i-Size' seats must be rear-facing until your child is over 15 months old. Forward-facing child car seats can be used only after this age.
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Child car seat history
The history of child car seats can be traced back to the early days of automobiles when there was little to no focus on occupant safety. In the 1930s and 1940s, early "child seats" were designed to simply lift the child and allow them to look out of the window. These seats often lacked safety features, and it wasn't until later that safety belts and harnesses were introduced.
In 1962, two inventors, Jean Helen Ames and Leonard Rivkin, designed car seats with safety in mind. Ames, a British mother and journalist, is credited for being the first to suggest safety seats for children. She designed a seat with a rear-facing position and a Y-belt restraint system. Rivkin, a retired civil engineer, created a booster seat with a five-point harness system after his son was injured in a car accident.
It took several years for safety regulations and laws to catch up with these innovations. In 1971, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration adopted the first federal standards for child car seats in the United States. However, it wasn't until 2006 that the UK introduced laws requiring children to use special car seats.
Today, child car seat laws in the UK have evolved, and there is a greater emphasis on safety. Children must use a car seat until they reach 12 years of age or a height of 135 cm, whichever comes first. Height-based seats, known as 'i-Size' seats, must be rear-facing until the child is at least 15 months old. Weight-based seats are also available and offer a range of options based on the child's weight.
While there have been significant improvements in child car seat safety over the years, it is important for parents and caregivers to stay informed about the latest regulations and best practices to ensure the safety of children during car travel.
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