The law states that children must use a child car seat until they are 12 years old or 135cm tall, which ever comes first. Children over 12 or more than 135cm tall must wear a seat belt.
Although this is the ‘law’, many safety experts suggest you use a car seat for all children under 150cm/4ft 11 due to the additional protection it offers. This is actually the legal requirement in other European countries such as Germany & France.
The .gov website states:
Only EU-approved height-based child car seats can be used in the UK. These have a label showing a capital ‘E’ in a circle and ‘R129’.
i-Size car seats conform to car seat regulation R129 which came into force in 2015
Child car seats approved outside of the EU which do not carry the correct symbols cannot be used in the UK. Post Brexit we are still bound by these regulations, however this may change in the future.
Using car seats which do not conform to the regulations, not only mean that you could be putting your child’s life in danger but you are also breaking the law which could result in a fine of up to £500.
Full full details on the law surrounding car seats in the UK visit the .gov website
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