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- In a licensed taxi or minicab (private hire vehicle)<\/li>\n
- For an unexpected journey (must be necessary and over a short distance)<\/li>\n
- If two occupied child restraints prevent fitting of a third, in which case the child must travel in the front seat in an approved child seat.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/ul>\n
A child over 3 can travel in a back seat without a car seat and without a seat belt if the vehicle doesn\u2019t have one.<\/td>\n
Driver<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Child 12 or 13, or over 135 cm tall<\/td>\n Seat belt must be worn if fitted<\/td>\n Seat belt must be worn if fitted<\/td>\n Driver<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Passengers aged 14 years and over<\/td>\n Seat belt must be worn if fitted<\/td>\n Seat belt must be worn if fitted<\/td>\n Passenger<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n Types of seats<\/h2>\n
![\"child](\"http:\/\/mocktheorytest.com\/resources\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/02\/child-seat-regulations-sticker-263x300.jpg\")
Only EU-approved child car seats can be used in the UK. Look for a label showing a capital E in a circle. Note that if you are importing a child car seat from another country, it might comply with that country’s regulations, but you will need to check with the manufacturer if it meets\u00a0the EU regulations.<\/p>\nNewer\u00a0labels will show either ECE regulation 44.03 or R44.04, or i-Size information, like the one shown. This is for a child between 67-105cm tall, weighing less than 18.5kg. It also shows the country of manufacture.<\/p>\n
You must only use a car seat with a seat belt that has a diagonal strap unless the seat is specifically designed for use with a lap seat belt.<\/p>\n
The seat must be properly and securely fastened within your car. If you have ISOFIX<\/a> connectors, use them as this will hold the seat more securely.<\/p>\n
What type of seat should you use?<\/h2>\n
\n\n
\n \nType of seat<\/th>\n Weight<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n \n Rear-facing baby seats<\/td>\n Babies up to 13kg<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Forward or rear-facing baby seats<\/td>\n Children from 9 to 18kg<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Forward-facing child car seats (booster seats)<\/td>\n Children from 15 to 25kg<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Booster cushions<\/td>\n Children over 22kg<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n Some cars come with built in booster cushions, such as this one in a Volvo which is designed for passengers 15-36kg, with a minimum height of 90cm.<\/p>\n
![\"volvo-v60-d4-luxury-2013-child-seat\"](\"http:\/\/mocktheorytest.com\/resources\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/02\/volvo-v60-d4-luxury-2013-child-seat-600x366.jpg\")
![\"volvo-v60-d4-luxury-2013-child-seat-instructions\"](\"http:\/\/mocktheorytest.com\/resources\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/02\/volvo-v60-d4-luxury-2013-child-seat-instructions-600x291.jpg\")
<\/p>\nPenalties<\/h2>\n
There is a fixed penalty of \u00a3100\u00a0for failing to wear a seat belt as a driver or passenger. If you go to court and lose you face a fine of up to \u00a3500. Failure to wear a seat belt may also affect claims against your car insurance policy, and if you crash and injure someone else’s child in your car, you could be subject to a civil proceedings for damages.<\/p>\n
Buying a new seat<\/h2>\n
It’s best to buy a new seat as you will be getting on that complies with the latest safety regulations. Choose a retailer that has a person trained to help you pick the right seat.<\/p>\n
It’s important that you try the seat in your car to make sure it fits, and that you try your child in the seat. This makes it difficult to purchase online or by mail order. If you do want to purchase that way, ensure that they have a returns policy if it is not suitable.<\/p>\n
Check that the seat meets i-Size regulations or ECE Regulation 44.04 or R 44.03 and has the E mark in a circle. There will be a label on the seat.<\/p>\n
Consider how you’ll be using the seat. Will you leave it in the car, or be taking it in and out. Do you do a lot of long journeys where a seat that reclines could be more relaxing (i.e. less likely to induce crying and irritability) for your child?<\/p>\n
Child seats are tested using the Euro NCAP standard.<\/p>\n
Size of seat<\/h3>\n
\n\n
\n \nChild<\/th>\n Restraint type<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n \n Baby <10 kg (22 lbs),\u00a0approx. from birth to 6 – 9 months old<\/td>\n Group 0
\nRear-facing baby seat<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n\n Baby <13kg (29 lbs) approx.\u00a0from birth to 12-15 months old<\/td>\n Group 0+
\nRear-facing baby seat<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n\n Baby <15 months old<\/td>\n Rear-facing. Check i-Size<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Baby or toddler <18 kg (40 lbs), approx. from birth to 4 years old<\/td>\n Group 0+ & 1
\nRear\/forward-facing
\nCombination seat<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n\n Baby\/child weighing <25 kg (55 lbs), approx. birth to 6 years old<\/td>\n Groups 0+, 1 & 2
\nRearward and forward-facing
\nCombination seat<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n\n Toddler\u00a0between\u00a09-18 kg (20-40 lbs), approx. 9 months to 4 years old<\/td>\n Group 1
\nForward-facing child Seat<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n\n Toddler\/child between\u00a09-36 kg (20-79 lbs), approx. 9 months to 12 years old<\/td>\n Group 1, 2 & 3
\nForward-facing
\nCombination Seat<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n\n Child between 15-25 kg (33-55 lbs), approx 4-6 years old<\/td>\n Group 2
\nForward-facing
\nBooster Seat<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n\n Child between\u00a015-36 kg (33-79 lbs), approx. 4 to 11 years old<\/td>\n Groups 2 & 3
\nForward-facing
\nBooster Seat<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n\n Children between\u00a022-36 kg (48-79 lbs), approx. from 6 – 11 years<\/td>\n Group 3
\nBooster Cushion<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n\n Is the child car seat suitable for my child?<\/td>\n Yes<\/td>\n No<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n Second hand seats<\/h2>\n
Just like with motorbike helmets, you never know if a second hand car seat has already been involved in an accident which could have caused structural weaknesses not visible to the naked eye. Standards improve periodically and older seats may not offer the same level of protection that newer seats provide. If you are offered the use of a car seat by a family member or friend, ask them about its history and check that the original instructions are available. Carefully examine it for damage. Check its suitability for your child and whether it fits in your car, and ensure that it has the E mark to say that it complies with Regulation 44.04.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
If you carry a child under 12 years old or under 135cm tall you must use either an approved child seat or child booster cushion\/seat when travelling in the front or rear of any car, taxi, private hire vehicle, van…<\/span><\/p>\n
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