Seatbelt and Child Seat Regulations

Not wearing a seatbelt can cost you £500. The driver is responsible for all passengers under 14.

Who Needs to Wear a Seatbelt?

• The driver must wear a seatbelt.
• Children under 3 must wear a child restraint.
• Children aged 3-11 and less than 5 feet in height must either wear a child restraint or an adult seatbelt.
• Children aged 12-13 (or younger children over 5 feet tall) must wear an adult seatbelt if available.
• Over 14s are responsible for wearing an adult seatbelt.

Who is Responsible for Making Children Wear a Seatbelt?

As the driver you are responsible for making sure that all passengers under 14 wear a seatbelt.

Child Restraints

These include baby carriers, child seats, harnesses and booster seats.

They must carry a BS "kite mark" or UN "E" mark.

They are given a weight by the manufacturers according to those it was designed for:

Appropriate Child Seats:

• Baby Seats - rear facing for children up to 13kg (birth to 9-12 months)
• Child Seats - forward facing and for children 9kg to 18kg (approx 9 months to 4 years)
• Booster Seats - for children 15kg to 25kg (approx 4 to 6 years)
• Booster Cushions - for children 6 years and up

Is Anyone Exempt From Wearing Seatbelts?

Some people do not have to wear a seatbelt for the following reasons:

• The driver of or a passenger in a motor vehicle constructed or adapted for carrying goods, while on a journey which does not exceed 50 metres and which is undertaken for the purpose of delivering or collecting any thing;
• A person driving a vehicle while performing a manoeuvre which includes reversing;
• A qualified driver (within the meaning given by regulation 9 of the Motor Vehicles (Driving Licences) Regulations 1987) who is supervising the holder of a provisional licence (within the meaning of Part III of the Act) while that holder is performing a manoeuvre which includes reversing;
• A person by whom, as provided in the Motor Vehicles (Driving Licences) Regulations 1987, a test of competence to drive is being conducted and wearing a seat belt would endanger himself or any other person;
• A person driving or riding in a vehicle while it is being used for fire brigade or police purposes or for carrying a person in lawful custody (a person who is being so carried being included in this exemption);
• The driver of-
  • a licensed taxi while it is being used for seeking hire, or answering a call for hire, or carrying a passenger for hire, or
  • a private hire vehicle while it is being used to carry a passenger for hire;
• A person riding in a vehicle, being used under a trade licence, for the purpose of investigating or remedying a mechanical fault in the vehicle;
• A disabled person who is wearing a disabled person's belt; or
• A person riding in a vehicle while it is taking part in a procession organised by or on behalf of the Crown.

Fitted Seat Belts

You are obliged to wear seat belts in either old and new cars with fitted seat belts as standard.

You do not have to wear them in older cars that do not have fitted seat belts.

What Happens if I Don't Comply?

You will receive a £30 fixed penalty notice. Should the case go to court, you are forced to pay a fine up to £500. You won't be charged penalty points.