My Land Rovers reas seats

Child car seats
What the law says
The law says that all children up to 135cm tall (around 4'5"), or the age of 12, whichever comes first, in the front or rear seats in cars, vans and other goods vehicles must travel in the correct child restraint for their weight with very few exceptions.

Visitors to the UK from abroad must also use the correct child restraint for their children - there are no exceptions for them. Family and friends expecting visitors should make sure that their visitors understand the rules. They may need to help them make arrangements so that children use the correct child restraint at all times. Car rental companies can supply child restraints for their customers if booked in advance.

See summary table Q1 in FAQ section.

Exceptions to the rules
In limited circumstances, children can travel without the correct child restraint.

1) In a licensed taxi or licensed private hire vehicle. If the correct child restraint is not available then, in the rear seat only, children under 3 may travel unrestrained. Children aged 3 years and over must use an adult seat belt.

2) In cases of unexpected necessity over a short distance. If the correct child restraint is not available then, in the rear seat only, a child of 3 years or more must use an adult belt. This exemption does not apply to children under 3 years and does not cover regular school runs or other journeys that are planned in advance.

3) Where two occupied child restraints in the rear seat prevent you fitting a third. In this case, provided the front seat is occupied, a third child aged 3 years and over can use an adult seat belt (lap OR lap and diagonal) in the rear. If the front seat is free, then they must seat there using the correct child restraint.

4) In older vehicles with no rear seat belts. In this case, children 3 years and over may travel unrestrained.

For more details, see 'What do I do if my vehicle' Q14 in FAQs

Click to expand...

has sideways-facing seats?
There's no legal requirement to fit seat belts in sideways-facing seats. The human body bends forward from the waist - not sideways - the potential for internal and spinal injury is high if a passenger uses a seat belt in a sideways-facing seat. For similar reasons, the type-approval standard for child seats and boosters does not include fixing them in a sideways-facing seat.

A child who is required to use child seats/boosters (ie: all those under 135 cms tall who are also under 12 years old) cannot travel in a sideways-facing seat. A child who needs to use a child seats or boosters must use a forward or rear-facing seat.

- has small extra seats only suitable for children?
Some estate cars and multi-purpose vehicles (MPVs) have small seats at the very rear or in the luggage compartment for use by children. Some sports cars or convertibles also have small rear seats that are only big enough for children. These seats may only be used without a child seat or booster if they are labelled to the required UN ECE Regulation 44.04 (or later) type-approval standard.

If the seat complies with the type-approval standard, it will have an "E" label, with "44.03" or ".03" (or later eg "44.04") and the weight range of the child for which it is designed. Check with the car handbook or the vehicle manufacturer whether the seat is approved to the required standard.

If it is not labelled then a separate child restraint will be needed if a child is to use that seat.

Click to expand...