Passenger safety starts before the car moves. A child seat in the vehicle is useful only if it is suitable for the child, correctly installed and correctly used on that journey.
Start with the child’s height
In an ordinary equipped passenger car, children under 18 who are shorter than 135 cm generally need an appropriate child-restraint system. Do not choose solely by age or copy the seat used by an older sibling. Check the restraint’s approval, size limits and manufacturer’s instructions.
There are narrowly defined exceptions for particular vehicles and circumstances. They are not a general permission to skip a child seat on a short trip. Consult the official restraint guide if your situation is unusual.
Check the installation
Use the vehicle manual and the seat instructions together. Verify the allowed position, belt routing or attachment system and any required support leg or top tether. Do not invent a different installation because it seems tighter.
A rear-facing child restraint must not be used in front of an active frontal airbag. Confirm the airbag’s status using the vehicle instructions; do not guess from the seat position.
Check the passenger, not just the seat
Before every journey, inspect the harness or belt, remove twists and adjust it as instructed. Ensure luggage cannot strike passengers during braking. Each person needs the appropriate place and restraint; an adult holding a child is not an alternative.
Make the check part of departure: doors secured, restraints checked, driver ready, then move. Avoid starting to drive while a passenger is still trying to fasten a belt.
Learn from realistic scenarios
Imagine collecting a child whose height you do not know. The next step is to establish what restraint is needed before departure, not to decide that a nearby destination makes it acceptable.
In exam practice, distinguish three questions: is a restraint required, is this restraint suitable, and is it installed correctly? A correct answer to only one of them does not establish safe transport.
Official sources
Rules and procedures checked on 21 September 2026. Follow the linked authority for later changes; rules announced for a future date are not yet in force.
