Source data
Child restraint rules by location and journey type
Sources checked
- 01Locate the journey
Choose Great Britain, Northern Ireland or Ireland for the segment being driven. Source 1
- 02Check the threshold
Use age and height in Great Britain and Northern Ireland. Use height and weight for children aged three or older in Ireland. Source 4
- 03Check the vehicle
If the correct restraint is unavailable, look up the separate rules for a licensed taxi or minicab. Source 2
- 04Check the airbag
A rear-facing seat in front requires the front passenger airbag to be inactive. Source 5
Keep the ordinary car rule and the taxi rule separate.
Child restraint rules by location and journey type
This comparison covers ordinary passenger cars and selected taxi exceptions. A child seat still has to fit the child and the vehicle.
| Source | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Great Britain | Ordinary car | Normally use a child seat until age 12 or 135 cm, whichever comes first. | Source 1 |
| Northern Ireland | Ordinary car | Normally use a suitable child restraint until age 12 or 135 cm, whichever comes first. | Source 3 |
| Ireland | Ordinary car, under age 3 | Use an appropriate child seat. | Source 4 |
| Ireland | Ordinary car, age 3 or older | Use an appropriate restraint if the child is both shorter than 150 cm and weighs less than 36 kg. | Source 4 |
| Great Britain | Taxi or minicab without the correct seat | Use a rear seat. Children aged 3 or older use the adult belt, and younger children can travel without a belt in the rear. | Source 2 |
| Northern Ireland | Taxi without the correct seat | Use a rear seat. Children aged 3 or older who still require a restraint use the adult belt, and younger children may travel unrestrained in the rear. | Source 3 |
| Ireland | Taxi | The ordinary child restraint requirement has a taxi exception. A driver or operator may agree to let a parent fit their own seat. | Source 5 |
| Great Britain | Unexpected short journey without the correct seat | A child aged 3 or older may use the adult belt when the journey is necessary, unexpected and over a short distance. | Source 2 |
| Ireland | Rear-facing seat in the front passenger position | The front airbag must be inactive. | Source 5 |