Children’s Car Seats – The Regulations

In September 2006, the laws governing the installation and use of child car seats changed for the first time since the early nineteen nineties. We think they changed for the better. But irrespective of what any of us think, there’s no room for argument. The new regulations are binding. Failure to comply with any aspect of the Child Car Seat Regulations will result in a fixed penalty notice; it could even result in a court hearing (and consequently, a much larger fine).

In brief, the Child Car Seat Regulations apply to all children under the age of 12, or below the height of 4ft 5 in (135 cm). Please bear in mind that as a parent, grandparent or guardian, you might have to prove this either way; don’t be offended if you are stopped and questioned. (As a rough guide, children of average height reach the magic 4ft 5 in around the age of nine.)

That means that children in the 4-12 age bracket (assuming they haven’t reached the requisite height) must (without exception) use an appropriate child restraint, when travelling in the front seat. Child restraints are also required for children travelling in the back seat. However where the appropriate restraints are not available, an adult seatbelt must be used instead. ‘Unexpected necessities’ do afford some leeway (e.g. giving another family’s child a lift home) but should not be seen as a get out clause.

So what is a ‘child restraint’ anyway? You can find out all you need to know here. Suffice to say it’s simply the umbrella term for baby seats, child seats; booster seats and booster cushions, all of which are designed to offer the same quality of crash protection to minors as three point seatbelts afford adults.

Okay, all well and good; but how do you persuade your children (many of who have already got too used to travelling unfettered) that seat belts and booster cushions are a good thing? As the driver, it’s your responsibility. Clearly, the Police aren’t going to be handing out on the spot fines to minors. But as a parent it’s simply your duty to your children. It won’t be the first time you’ve had to impose an “unfair” sanction on your kids! And it’s not going to be the last! Don’t worry: you’ve got schools to help you and the whole weight of the media behind you too. And if that doesn’t help, the police presence will. It might take some getting used to, but your kids will adjust pretty quickly.

What about your younger children? Barring a single exceptions (for short distance taxi travel) children up to the age of three must be carried in an appropriate car seat, whether they’re travelling in the front or back of the car. We can break that down further. Up to the age of twelve months (or the weight of 13kg), babies must be carried in a rear facing baby seat. Between the ages of 9 months and 4 years (that’s about 9-18kg) forward facing baby seats must be used.

To sum it all up in a couple of sentences: if your child is under 135 cm in height you may not drive him or her anywhere unless he/she is protected by the appropriate child restraint. And remember, a child may only ever travel in the front seat of a car if he/she is using the appropriate child seat or booster.

If you’re in any doubt about the regulations contact the UK Department for Transport, the Police or indeed, any of the fine stockists advertising on these pages; they’ll be glad to help.

© Car Safety Seats.org.uk 2008


Swaddle Me (3 pack) in Green
Swaddle Me (3 pack) in Green
£25.00


Swaddle Me (3 pack) in Green
Swaddle Me (3 pack) in Green
£25.00


Swaddle Me (3 pack) in Green
Swaddle Me (3 pack) in Green
£25.00


Auto-Fix car Seat Base
Auto-Fix car Seat Base
£26.00


Swaddle Me (3 pack) in Blue
Swaddle Me (3 pack) in Blue
£27.00


Swaddle Me (3 pack) in Pink
Swaddle Me (3 pack) in Pink
£27.00


Swaddle Me (3 pack) in Blue
Swaddle Me (3 pack) in Blue
£27.00


Swaddle Me (3 pack) in Pink
Swaddle Me (3 pack) in Pink
£27.00


Swaddle Me (3 pack) in Pink
Swaddle Me (3 pack) in Pink
£27.00


Swaddle Me (3 pack) in Blue
Swaddle Me (3 pack) in Blue
£27.00


Richbrook Vauxhall Seat Belt Harness Pads
Richbrook Vauxhall Seat Belt Harness Pads
£29.99


Zest - Booster Seat Shell
Zest - Booster Seat Shell
£29.99


Nania Baby Ride Car Seat-Aura
Nania Baby Ride Car Seat-Aura
£29.99


Nania Collection First & Plus Baby Ride Car Seat, Group 0 +, Rosa
Nania Collection First & Plus Baby Ride Car Seat, Group 0 +, Rosa
£34.95


Junior highback booster seat - Scarlet Sport
Junior highback booster seat - Scarlet Sport
£34.99


Rac Car Seat Cover For Dogs
Rac Car Seat Cover For Dogs
£34.99


Junior highback booster seat - Daisy (Pink)
Junior highback booster seat - Daisy (Pink)
£34.99


My Child Travel Luxe - Cosmo Cool
My Child Travel Luxe  - Cosmo Cool
£37.00


My Child Travel Luxe - Graffiti Sport
My Child Travel Luxe  - Graffiti Sport
£37.00


My Child Travel Luxe - Luna Blush
My Child Travel Luxe  - Luna Blush
£37.00


Nania Beone SP Car Seat-Glacier
Nania Beone SP Car Seat-Glacier
£39.89


Nania Beone SP Car Seat-Race
Nania Beone SP Car Seat-Race
£39.89


Nania Beone SP Car Seat-Candy
Nania Beone SP Car Seat-Candy
£39.89


Nama Collection Luxe Beone SP Luxe Car Seat, Group 0 +, Red
Nama Collection Luxe Beone SP Luxe Car Seat, Group 0 +, Red
£39.94


Nania Basic Comfort Car Seat-Rosa
Nania Basic Comfort Car Seat-Rosa
£39.95


Nania Basic Comfort Car Seat-Aura
Nania Basic Comfort Car Seat-Aura
£39.95


Mothercare Motor High Back Booster car seat
Mothercare Motor High Back Booster car seat
£39.99


Britax Evolva Adventure car seat- Hyperlink
Britax Evolva Adventure car seat- Hyperlink
£39.99


Mothercare Milan booster seat - Graphite
Mothercare Milan booster seat - Graphite
£39.99


My Child Travel Luxe Car Seat-Graffiti Sport
My Child Travel Luxe Car Seat-Graffiti Sport
£42.95


My Child Travel Luxe Car Seat-Luna Blush
My Child Travel Luxe Car Seat-Luna Blush
£42.95


Nania Imax SP Plus Car Seat-Granite
Nania Imax SP Plus Car Seat-Granite
£44.94


Nama Collection Luxe Beone SP Luxe Car Seat, Group 0 +, Green
Nama Collection Luxe Beone SP Luxe Car Seat, Group 0 +, Green
£44.95


Nama Collection Luxe Beone SP Luxe Car Seat, Group 0 +, Pink
Nama Collection Luxe Beone SP Luxe Car Seat, Group 0 +, Pink
£44.95


Nama Collection Luxe Beone SP Luxe Car Seat, Group 0 +, Blue
Nama Collection Luxe Beone SP Luxe Car Seat, Group 0 +, Blue
£44.95


Nania Collection First & Plus Baby Ride Car Seat, Group 1,2,3, Beline SP Glacier
Nania Collection First & Plus Baby Ride Car Seat, Group 1,2,3, Beline SP Glacier
£44.95


Graco Junior Maxi Car Seat - Metropolitan (grey)
Graco Junior Maxi Car Seat - Metropolitan (grey)
£44.99


Nania Beone SP Luxe Car Seat-Passion
Nania Beone SP Luxe Car Seat-Passion
£44.99


OBABY Zoma Carseat - Black
OBABY Zoma Carseat - Black
£45.00


Nania Imax LX Car Seat-Glacier
Nania Imax LX Car Seat-Glacier
£49.90


Nania Imax LX Car Seat-Race
Nania Imax LX Car Seat-Race
£49.90


Nania Imax LX Car Seat-Candy
Nania Imax LX Car Seat-Candy
£49.90


Safety 1st Evolu-Safe Car Seat - Kite Red
Safety 1st Evolu-Safe Car Seat - Kite Red
£49.99


Safety 1st Evolu-Safe Car Seat - Kite Black
Safety 1st Evolu-Safe Car Seat - Kite Black
£49.99


Mothercare Sola car seat - Red
Mothercare Sola car seat - Red
£49.99


Nania Driver SP Car Seat-Aura
Nania Driver SP Car Seat-Aura
£53.49


Nania Driver SP Car Seat-Granite
Nania Driver SP Car Seat-Granite
£53.49


Nania Driver SP Car Seat-Rosa
Nania Driver SP Car Seat-Rosa
£53.49


Nania Driver SP Car Seat-Sunny
Nania Driver SP Car Seat-Sunny
£53.49


My Child Remi Top Car Seat-Graphite Groove
My Child Remi Top Car Seat-Graphite Groove
£53.99


My Child Remi Top Car Seat-Luna Blush
My Child Remi Top Car Seat-Luna Blush
£53.99


My Child Remi Top Car Seat-Graffiti Sport
My Child Remi Top Car Seat-Graffiti Sport
£53.99


Hot Laps Ride
Hot Laps Ride
£59.00


Georgia 0+1 Car Seat - Pink
Georgia 0+1 Car Seat - Pink
£59.00


Georgia 0+1 Car Seat - Blue
Georgia 0+1 Car Seat - Blue
£59.00


STM Explorer Car Seat - Racing Black
STM Explorer Car Seat - Racing Black
£59.50


STM Explorer Car Seat - Racing Blue
STM Explorer Car Seat - Racing Blue
£59.50


Nania Imax SP Luxe Car Seat-Hatrix Green
Nania Imax SP Luxe Car Seat-Hatrix Green
£59.90


Nania Imax SP Luxe Car Seat-Hatrix Grey
Nania Imax SP Luxe Car Seat-Hatrix Grey
£59.90


Nania Imax SP Luxe Car Seat-Hatrix Blue
Nania Imax SP Luxe Car Seat-Hatrix Blue
£59.90


Nania Imax SP Luxe Car Seat-Hatrix Pink
Nania Imax SP Luxe Car Seat-Hatrix Pink
£59.90


Nania Imax SP Luxe Car Seat-Hatrix Red
Nania Imax SP Luxe Car Seat-Hatrix Red
£59.90


Tutti Bambini IC 10 Infant Car Seat-Sky Blue
Tutti Bambini IC 10 Infant Car Seat-Sky Blue
£59.95


Rally Sport car seat - Flame
Rally Sport car seat - Flame
£59.99


Rally Sport car seat - Honeysuckle
Rally Sport car seat - Honeysuckle
£59.99


Nania Trio Plus Car Seat-Red/Blue
Nania Trio Plus Car Seat-Red/Blue
£59.99


Norton Monza 0 Car Seat - Champagne
Norton Monza 0 Car Seat - Champagne
£61.00


OBABY Aura Car Seat - Black
OBABY Aura Car Seat - Black
£61.00


Nania Cosmo SP Car Seat-Candy
Nania Cosmo SP Car Seat-Candy
£62.49


Nania Cosmo SP Car Seat-Glacier
Nania Cosmo SP Car Seat-Glacier
£62.49


Nania Cosmo SP Car Seat-Race
Nania Cosmo SP Car Seat-Race
£62.49


Nania Cosmo SP Car Seat-Sunny
Nania Cosmo SP Car Seat-Sunny
£62.49


Graco Junior Baby Car Seat -Blackjack
Graco Junior Baby Car Seat -Blackjack
£62.95


My Child Star Max Car Seat-Toura Jet
My Child Star Max Car Seat-Toura Jet
£62.99


My Child Star Max Car Seat-Toura Blaze
My Child Star Max Car Seat-Toura Blaze
£62.99


Norton Monza 0 Car Seat - Black Magic
Norton Monza 0 Car Seat - Black Magic
£64.00


Nania Cosmo SP Luxe Car Seat-Hatrix Red
Nania Cosmo SP Luxe Car Seat-Hatrix Red
£64.99


Nania Cosmo SP Luxe Car Seat-Hatrix Blue
Nania Cosmo SP Luxe Car Seat-Hatrix Blue
£64.99


Nania Cosmo SP Luxe Car Seat-Hatrix Grey
Nania Cosmo SP Luxe Car Seat-Hatrix Grey
£64.99


Nania Cosmo SP Luxe Car Seat-Hatrix Pink
Nania Cosmo SP Luxe Car Seat-Hatrix Pink
£64.99


STM My-Seat SP Car Seat - Fairy Rose (Dark )
STM My-Seat SP Car Seat - Fairy Rose (Dark )
£67.49


STM My-Seat SP Car Seat - Dynamic Red
STM My-Seat SP Car Seat - Dynamic Red
£67.49


STM My-Seat SP Car Seat - Blue
STM My-Seat SP Car Seat - Blue
£67.49


STM My-Seat SP Car Seat - Clay-Orange (Light Brown/Dark Brown/Orange )
STM My-Seat SP Car Seat - Clay-Orange (Light Brown/Dark Brown/Orange )
£67.49


STM My-Seat SP Car Seat - Froggy-King )
STM My-Seat SP Car Seat - Froggy-King )
£67.49


STM My-Seat SP Car Seat - Graphite-Grey (Dark Grey/Light Grey )
STM My-Seat SP Car Seat - Graphite-Grey (Dark Grey/Light Grey )
£67.49


Nania Collection First & Plus Baby Ride Car Seat, Group 0,1, Cosmo SP Candy
Nania Collection First & Plus Baby Ride Car Seat, Group 0,1, Cosmo SP Candy
£67.50


OBaby Zezu Car Seat-Black
OBaby Zezu Car Seat-Black
£68.99


Groova 0+ Car Seat - Oopsi Ditsi
Groova 0+ Car Seat - Oopsi Ditsi
£69.00


Groova 0+ Car Seat - Roundabout
Groova 0+ Car Seat - Roundabout
£69.00


Groova 0+ Car Seat - Oopsi Ditsi
Groova 0+ Car Seat - Oopsi Ditsi
£69.00


Groova 0+ Car Seat - Roundabout
Groova 0+ Car Seat - Roundabout
£69.00


Groova 0+ Car Seat - Roundabout
Groova 0+ Car Seat - Roundabout
£69.00


Groova 0+ Car Seat - Oopsi Ditsi
Groova 0+ Car Seat - Oopsi Ditsi
£69.00


Boston 123 Car Seat - Pink
Boston 123 Car Seat - Pink
£69.00


Boston 123 Car Seat - Blue
Boston 123 Car Seat - Blue
£69.00


Obaby Zezu Car Seat, Group 0-0+, Black
Obaby Zezu Car Seat, Group 0-0+, Black
£69.95


Graco Junior Maxi Comfort Car Seat - Midnight
Graco Junior Maxi Comfort Car Seat - Midnight
£69.99


Graco Junior Maxi Plus Car Seat - Disney Princess
Graco Junior Maxi Plus Car Seat - Disney Princess
£69.99


Graco Junior Maxi Plus Car Seat - Disney Cars
Graco Junior Maxi Plus Car Seat - Disney Cars
£69.99


Graco Junior Maxi Plus Car Seat - Disney Pirates of the Caribbean
Graco Junior Maxi Plus Car Seat - Disney Pirates of the Caribbean
£69.99


Mothercare Advance SP car seat - Cloud
Mothercare Advance SP car seat - Cloud
£69.99


Hauck Zero Plus Comfort 0+ Car Seat-Trio Charcoal
Hauck Zero Plus Comfort 0+ Car Seat-Trio Charcoal
£69.99


Hauck Zero Plus Comfort 0+ Car Seat-Trio Plum
Hauck Zero Plus Comfort 0+ Car Seat-Trio Plum
£69.99


Hauck Zero Plus Comfort 0+ Car Seat-Lolli Sand
Hauck Zero Plus Comfort 0+ Car Seat-Lolli Sand
£69.99


Hauck Zero Plus Comfort 0+ Car Seat-Lolli Turquoise
Hauck Zero Plus Comfort 0+ Car Seat-Lolli Turquoise
£69.99


Hauck Zero Plus Comfort 0 Car Seat - Trio Plum
Hauck Zero Plus Comfort 0 Car Seat - Trio Plum
£71.00


Hauck Zero Plus Comfort 0 Car Seat - Lolli Turquoise
Hauck Zero Plus Comfort 0 Car Seat - Lolli Turquoise
£71.00


Hauck Zero Plus Comfort 0 Car Seat - Lolli Sand
Hauck Zero Plus Comfort 0 Car Seat - Lolli Sand
£71.00


Hauck Carseat 0 Capri And Manhattan - Lime/Grey
Hauck Carseat 0 Capri And Manhattan - Lime/Grey
£74.00


Hauck Carseat 0 Capri And Manhattan - Brown/Blue
Hauck Carseat 0 Capri And Manhattan - Brown/Blue
£74.00


Hauck Carseat 0 Capri and Manhattan -
Hauck Carseat 0 Capri and Manhattan -
£74.00


Concord Lift Protect Car Seat - Pepito (Grey)
Concord Lift Protect Car Seat - Pepito (Grey)
£74.99


Concord Lift Protect Car Seat - Miami
Concord Lift Protect Car Seat - Miami
£74.99


Concord Lift Protect Car Seat - Golfi (Blue)
Concord Lift Protect Car Seat - Golfi (Blue)
£74.99


Britax Cosy Tot O+ Car Seat-Bali *CLEARANCE**
Britax Cosy Tot O+ Car Seat-Bali *CLEARANCE**
£75.00


Britax Prince - Alex
Britax Prince - Alex
£76.00


Norton Storm Monza 0+ Car
Norton Storm Monza 0+ Car
£76.00


Norton Storm Monza 0+ Car Seat-Toffee
Norton Storm Monza 0+ Car Seat-Toffee
£76.00


Nania Imax LX Car Seat-Ferrari Yellow
Nania Imax LX Car Seat-Ferrari Yellow
£77.49