The regulations changed in from when all new car seats had to comply with the iSize standard. So what are the current rules for child car seats, boosters and baby carriers?
Read on to find out The introduction of the new iSize seat standard is designed to improve child seat safety, because this standard is designed to work in conjunction with the latest safety equipment that is now available on current production cars.
The iSize system was first introduced in , but fully superseded the old regs in The major difference between the two sets of regulations is that iSize provides rear-facing travel for babies and toddlers up to 15 months of age, rather than the month maximum for the older rules. The reason for the extended period in a rear-facing seat is that research shows that it's the safest position for a baby or toddler in the event of an accident.
Tests have shown that a rear-facing position is better for small children, because their necks have yet to fully develop, and in the even of an accident, facing backwards helps to spread the forces of a collision over the child, rather than focusing them on the head and neck area where serious injury could occur.
The recommendation is that a child should be sitting facing backwards when riding in the car for as long as possible, and some iSize specification seats will allow them to do this up to the age of four. However, while a child's age is an obvious guideline as to how long a child fits into a seat, every child grows at a different rate, so UK car seat laws are based on the size of your child, as well as their age.
If you are carrying a child in a car, then they must be seated in an appropriate child seat or baby carrier, or sitting on a booster seat. These rules apply to children under 12 or less than cm tall, and children can ditch the seat as soon as they reach one of these milestones. The only exceptions are when it's an emergency, and also in taxis, although again children should be belted and sitting.
To help us improve GOV. It will take only 2 minutes to fill in. Cookies on GOV. UK We use some essential cookies to make this website work. Accept additional cookies Reject additional cookies View cookies. Hide this message. Home Driving and transport The Highway Code, road safety and vehicle rules. Home Uncategorised cm or taller? Previous Next. Not on my watch! Booster Cushion. Moving babies and younger children to the next group before they reach the maximum weight or height for their seat could lead to more severe injuries in a crash.
See our guide to car seat weight groups for more information on what seat to buy and when. A true i-Size car seat will only use Isofix connectors, although some baby car seats can still be installed in your car using the car's adult seatbelt. It's mandatory for a baby to be rear-facing in an i-Size seat until he or she is 15 months old. Check with the car manufacturer to see in which position you can use an i-Size car seat in your vehicle.
Find out whether i-Size child car seats are safer and will fit in your car by reading our guide on i-Size car seats. The rules for vans are the same as for cars. The only exception to this rule is if it's in a licensed taxi or minicab private hire vehicles and the child travels on the rear seats. See the best baby and child car seats that have come out in top our crash tests.
If your vehicle does not have seatbelts in the rear, a child aged three or older can travel in the back seat without a car seat and without a seatbelt. This rule only applies if the car came without seatbelts in the back originally. A child aged three or over can travel in the rear seat of a licensed taxi or mini cab private hire vehicle without a car seat but only if they wear an adult seatbelt. For journeys that are unexpected, necessary and over a short distance, a child aged three or over can sit in the back only, using the adult seatbelt.
Find out why it's important to opt for a high-backed booster seat by reading out guide to the Best child car seats for older children. A doctor can issue an exemption certificate if a child is unable to use a restraint or seatbelt because of their condition. However, there are exceptions to the law when it comes to travelling in taxis, minicabs and Ubers.
If you have a child under three years of age, some experts feel the best option is to sit the child next to you on their own seat if they are able to , or use your own car seat. We would recommend finding a taxi firm that can provide a car seat for when you travel, or bring your own. On coaches, there is no law requiring children to travel in a child car seat or to use a seat belt, if they're not available.
For minibuses, all children need to travel in rear seats behind the driver if a child car seat or adult seat belt is unavailable.
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