Car seat rules in the UK - safer school commutes

As we wave goodbye to the summer and hello to Autumn, parents have marked the start of the new academic year and the return of back-to-school travels. Whilst the new school year can come with excitement and anticipation, it’s important not to forget about keeping your children safe in vehicles during the school commute and take a moment to consider car seat rules in the UK.

This blog will delve into the appropriate use of car and booster seats and provide insights into how to travel with children safely in other modes of transport. 

When to appropriately use car seats and booster seats

Car seat rules in the UK state that “Children must normally use a child car seat until they’re 12 years old or 135 centimetres tall, whichever comes first” as stated on the Government website, but this is dependent on the type of vehicle, which will be discussed later. 

As parents, up until our children meet this age or height, we have a choice as to whether we use a height or weight-based car seat for travelling - height-based seats being car seats that are suitable for children based on their height, whereas weight-based seats is based on their weight. When using a height-based car seat, they must be rear-facing until your child is over the age of 15 months, then after this age, they can switch to a forward-facing car seat.

Now weight-based car seats can now be categorised based on the weight of your child; rear-facing baby carriers, rear-facing baby seats and rear or forward-facing child car seats (high-backed booster seats or booster cushions) are all weight-based options for travelling in the car. 

As per UK Government law, weight categories are as follows: 

• 0-10kg - Lie-flat or ‘lateral’ baby carrier, rear-facing baby carrier, or rear-facing baby seat using a harness
• 0-13kg - Rear-facing baby carrier or rear-facing baby seat using a harness
• 9kg – 18kg - Rear or forward-facing baby seat using a harness or safety shield
• 15kg – 25kg - Rear or forward-facing child car seat (high-backed booster seat or booster cushion) using a seat belt, harness or safety shield
• 22kg – 36kg - Rear or forward-facing child car seat (high-backed booster seat or booster cushion) using a seat belt, harness or safety shield

It is also vital that the front airbags are deactivated before using a baby seat in the front of your car. 

Regulations for travelling with children in other modes of transport

Whilst cars are often a primary mode of transport to and from school for many, alternative vehicles are still frequently used to transport children to and from school. Typically, any children under the age of 3 should always use a child car seat, however, the regulations are different for certain vehicles. 

In private hire vehicles, for example, taxis or minicabs where the correct child car seats may not be provided by the driver, children over the age of 3 can sit in the rear seat of the vehicles and wear an adult seat belt. If they are under the age of 3, then they can ride in the taxi without wearing a seatbelt in the rear seats. 

For minibuses, children age 3 and over have to use a car seat if one is available, however, if there is not one available an adult seat belt can still be used. If neither are available, your children can still travel in the minibus but must sit in the rear seats. 

Then on coaches, children can still travel on them even when car seats or seat belts are not available, while for vans laws are the same for travelling in them as they are for a car.

In any vehicle, children under 3 must be seated in a car seat during a journey. When there is no room in the back of a vehicle, children under the age of 3 must be sat in the front seat with their car seat. Any other children, aged 3 and over, can sit in the back with their car seats or an adult seat belt. 

Safety First

For car travel, our recommendation would be to always use a car seat designed for your child’s age, height and weight, even when travelling in a taxi as this is the safest way for children to travel.

You can access the complete written laws and car seat rules in the UK for children using the links below: 

https://www.gov.uk/child-car-seats-the-rules#:~:text=Children%20must%20normally%20use%20a,must%20wear%20a%20seat%20belt.

https://www.gov.uk/child-car-seats-the-rules/when-a-child-can-travel-without-a-car-seat