Car Clinic: Can a child travel in a car without a car seat?
Your motoring problems solved
Q. I was asked to drive one of my eight-year-old daughter’s friends home in my car without a car seat. Is this legal?
BE, Manchester
A. Children must use a child seat or booster until they are 12 years old or 135cm (4ft 5in) tall. It is the driver’s responsibility to ensure this. There are some exceptions. Children aged three and over can travel without a child seat if the journey is unexpected, necessary and short.
If there is not enough room for three child seats, one child (aged three or over) can use an adult belt in the back. All children can travel in a taxi without child seats if they are not provided.
LADY DRIVER
Emma Smith is a journalist specialising in consumer issues and is a regular Driving contributor — read more from Emma here.
GOT A PROBLEM?
Email your question to carclinic@sunday-times.co.uk or write to Car Clinic, Driving, The Sunday Times, 1 London Bridge Street, London, SE1 9GF, with a daytime phone number, your address and as much detail about your car as possible. We can’t reply in person, so don’t send original documents or SAEs. Advice is given without legal responsibility.
