Car Child Seat Laws | Saga Car Insurance

When you're taking care of the little ones, fun outings like trips to the park, zoo, swimming pool or cinema often mean a car journey.

Depending on their age, height and weight, children might need to use a booster seat. Let's explore the UK's child car seat laws to keep your kids safe and secure.

Booster seat law for height and age

In the UK, children must use a car seat until they are 12 years old or 135 cm (4 ft 5 in) tall, whichever comes first. After that, they must wear a seat belt. Following these laws ensures your child’s safety when travelling.

Can a child travel without a car seat?

There are some exceptions, when children can legally travel without a booster seat. These include:

Children with disabilities or medical conditions

Children with disabilities or medical conditions must follow the same car seat rules as other kids. However, they can use a disabled person’s seat belt or child restraint made for their needs.

If they can't use a seat belt or restraint because of their condition, their doctor can give them an exemption certificate.

When there are no car seats and no seat belts

Children who are three years old or older can sit in the back seat without a child car seat or seat belt if the car didn't originally come with seat belts in the back. This rule only applies to cars that were made without back seat belts.

Taxi Booster Seat Requirements

Children aged three or over can travel in a taxi without a car seat if the driver doesn’t provide one. However, they must sit on a back seat and wear an adult seat belt.

Children under three must sit on a back seat without a seat belt.

Coach and Minibus Booster Seat Rules

Children can travel in a coach without a car seat or seat belt. However, if you want your child to use a car seat, it’s a good idea to bring one with you, as coach companies don’t have to provide them.

In minibuses, children must sit in the back seats (behind the driver) if there isn't a car seat or adult seat belt. Children over three must use a car seat if available. If not, they should use an adult seat belt.

Unexpected journeys

If you don't have the right car seat, children aged three or older can use an adult seat belt, but only if the trip is unexpected, necessary and short. This should only be for emergencies.

Children under three can't go on unexpected trips without the right car seat, unless it's in a licensed taxi or minicab, and they sit in the back without a seat belt.

No room for an additional seat

Children under three must travel in a child car seat. So, if your cohort of grandkids is growing and there’s no room for a third car seat in the back of your car, you’ll need to fit a correct car seat in the front seat.

What is a booster seat?

Booster seats are special seats that keep kids safe in cars. They lift the child up so they can use a regular seat belt properly. There are two main types of booster seats:

Backless booster seats: These are just a base without a back or headrest. Your child sits on the base and uses the car's regular seat back.
High-back booster seats: These have a back and a headrest, providing extra protection for the child's head and neck.

What type of car seat should I use?

When buying a car seat for your grandchildren, make sure it's EU-approved, as only these can be used in the UK. You can choose between two types of children’s car seats: height-based and weight-based.

Height based booster seats

Height-based car seats, called 'i-Size' seats, are designed according to a child's height. Children must use rear-facing seats until they are over 15 months old. After that, they can switch to forward-facing seats.

Before buying, look for a label with a capital 'E' in a circle and 'R129'. This means the seat is EU-approved and legal to use in the UK.

Weight based booster seats

For weight-based seats, the rules are based on how much a child weighs:

0kg to 10kg (Group 0): A lie-flat or lateral baby carrier, rear-facing baby carrier, or rear-facing baby seat using a harness. These are for newborns.
0kg to 13kg (Group 0+): A rear-facing baby carrier or rear-facing baby seat using a harness. Also for newborns.
9kg to 18kg (Group 1): A rear or forward-facing baby seat using a harness or safety shield. Suitable for children aged 9 months to 4 years.
15kg to 25kg (Group 2): A rear or forward-facing child car seat (high-backed booster seat or booster cushion) using a seat belt, harness or safety shield. For children aged 4 to 6 years.
22kg to 36kg (Group 3): A rear or forward-facing child car seat (high-backed booster seat or booster cushion) using a seat belt, harness, or safety shield. For children aged 6 to 12 years (or up to 135cm tall).

Manufacturers can now only make booster cushions for Group 3 seats. However, if you already have a Group 2 booster cushion, you can carry on using it.

What’s the penalty for breaking child car seat laws?

As the driver, you must make sure children in your car are safely strapped in with a child seat or seat belt. If you don't follow the law, you could be fined up to £500 and you may have to go to court.

Does a Saga policy come with child car seat insurance?

Yes, Saga Car Insurance policies include child car seat insurance up to £750 with Saga Standard, £1,000 with Saga Select and unlimited with Saga Plus. We’ll replace your child car seat with a brand-new one following an accident, even if there is no apparent damage.

We’ll also pay the cost of replacing child car seats that are fitted in your car if they are lost or damaged due to fire, theft or attempted theft.