accidents don’t have to happen

Produced with the support

of the Department for Transport

Carrying Other

People’s Children

Safely in Cars

Carrying Other People’s Children Safely

This guide provides advice about using child car seats and seat belts

• Children must be carried in an appropriate child seat

from birth until either they are at least 135cm (4’5”)

tall or 12 years old, whichever comes first. They must

then use a seat belt if one is fitted (although it would

be better for them to continue to use a booster seat

until they are 150cm (5’) tall).

• Child car seats are a very effective way of reducing

risk for child car passengers. Children using an

appropriate child seat are significantly less likely

to be killed or injured in a crash than unrestrained

the child’s neck. Both of these could cause serious

injuries. This is why it is far better to carry children

in approved chid seats.

• Any organisation or individual who carries other

people’s children has a duty of care to ensure that

they carry them safely. They must make sure its

drivers are fit and competent, their vehicles are safe

and suitable, their passengers are carried safely, and

that journeys are properly planned.

For more details see the following resources: ‘Types

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If you do not normally carry children, but you know

that, on occasion, you may need to do so at short

notice, consider how you can make arrangements

to provide child seats in such situations.

If you use other people’s child seats, get them to talk

you through the manufacturer’s instructions and show

you how to fit the seat in your car first, so that you are

sure you can fit it correctly. If it is an Isofix seat, make

Organisations should inform their insurers in writing

that they carry children in their vehicles, and make

sure this is covered by their insurance. Keep a copy

of relevant paperwork in their vehicle. If a member of

staff uses their own vehicle to carry children for the

organisation, they must declare this to their own motor

insurer and make sure that their motor insurance

includes business use cover and child passengers. They

should keep written confirmation in their vehicle.

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Child Seat and Seat Belt Laws

Children in cars, vans and other goods vehicles must be carried in

an appropriate child seat from birth until they are at least 135cm

(4’5”) tall or 12 years old, whichever comes first. There are very few

exceptions. They must then use a seat belt (although it would be

preferable to use a booster seat until they are 150cm (5’) tall).

Children under 3 years old must use an appropriate

child seat in the front or rear of a car. They cannot

be carried in a car that does not have seat belts

seat in the front if there is an active front passenger

airbag. The airbag must be deactivated or the rearward-

facing child seat must be placed in the rear of the car.

Children aged between 3 and 12 years old or who are

more than 135 cm tall (whichever comes first) must

use an appropriate child car seat when travelling in a

car, van or other goods vehicle.

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Exceptions

There are a small number of exemptions

If an appropriate child seat is not available, children

over 3 years old may travel in the rear of a car using

a seat belt in emergencies and unplanned situations.

For example, when someone has to carry a child due to

• ‘Long’ journeys

• Children under 3 years old.

You cannot take children under 3 years old in a vehicle

unless they are using an appropriate child car seat.

If it is not possible to fit three child seats in the rear of

a car, then two children up to 135 cm in height must

travel in child seats and the third child may use a

seat belt on its own. This exemption does not apply to

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difficult to be sure whether or not they need replacing.

So, if there is any doubt, replace them. Some

manufacturers offer advice on the circumstances

in which a child car seat should be replaced.

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To download the presentation follow the instructions

below. Alternatively, we may

be able to supply it on a memory stick if

you contact us on [email protected].

It is a large presentation (~600mb) which has

been zipped to speed up the download time. It is

recommended that you download it in advance

Child Car Seat Training Course

For further information contact

[email protected].

Many child seats are not compatible with every vehicle, so it is hardly

as part of their work. It is free to download and use

and outlines:

• Why children need to use car seats that

are designed for their specific weight,

height and age

• The difference between rearward-facing,

forward facing and high backed booster seats

• The difference between R44 and R129

(i-Size) seats

• How to advise parents and carers about choosing,

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