Ensuring your child has the correct car seat or restraint is essential to minimise the risk of injury in the event of an accident. It is also essential to keep you on the right side of the law, with different rules depending on the age and size of the child.
In addition to maintaining the highest safety standards in a vehicle, the right insurance is vital. If you are in a rental vehicle, it is worth considering car hire excess insurance to reduce the financial impact of an accident.
Car seat laws by age
Children under the age of three must have an appropriate child restraint when travelling in any vehicle, other than in the rear of a taxi if the appropriate restraint is not available.
Children between the ages of three and 12, or up to a height of 135cm, should in almost all circumstances have an appropriate restraint. They may use an adult seatbelt only for a short, unexpected journey, in the rear of a taxi, or when two occupied child restraints mean there is not enough room for a third.
Over 12s or those taller than 135cm must use seat belts if fitted, as all adults should. Up to the age of 14, it is the driver’s responsibility to ensure children are properly restrained, with a fine if the rules are broken.
Hire cars
A hire car must follow the same rules. Car hire companies will often have child seats available, or you can use your own. Make sure it is fitted correctly, using advice from Child Car Seats if necessary.
As accidents and other misfortunes can happen even with the safest of drivers, consider obtaining car hire excess insurance from a reputable company such as moneymaxim.co.uk to give you the best financial protection.
Rear seats
Rear-facing seats are the safest for babies and younger children. It is illegal to use these in a front seat when there is an active front airbag; therefore, if this is where you want to place your little one, make sure the airbag is switched off.
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