Recent news has highlighted a worrying number of parents not ignoring car seat laws for their children – as many as one in five admit to “never or rarely” using one for their under-12.
And almost 90 per cent of parents say that they are confused about the changes to the laws last year, with many people believing that backless booster seats are now illegal.
So are booster seats illegal?
The simple answer is no, but there are different rules depending on the type of seat and the height or weight of the child.
Confusion has arisen from the law change last year which made it illegal to make or sell backless booster seats or cushions for children under 125cm tall or 22kg in weight.
Backless boosters can still be sold for children over those sizes and booster seats with backs are legal for children between 15kg and 36kg.
What if I already own a booster cushion?
The law only applies to the manufacture and sale of new seats/cushions. If you own a backless booster cushion your child can still use it, provided they weigh more than 15kg. However, the advice is that a high-backed booster will provide more protection in an accident.
When the law was changed, the Department for Transport stated: “The change doesn’t affect existing models of seats or cushions and doesn’t mean that they are unsafe or illegal.
“The change to the technical standards means that the range of products available on the market are better suited for younger children.”
When can my child stop using a car seat?
All children must use a suitable car seat until they are 12 years old or 135cm, whichever comes first. After that they must use a seatbelt.
The Government guidelines on the correct seats to use are as follows:
How do I know if my seat meets safety standards?
All child seats used in the UK must meet EU-approved standards. Height-based seats should have a label showing a capital ‘E’ in a circle and ‘R129’. Weight-based seats have a label showing a capital ‘E’ in a circle and ‘ECE R44’.
Read more
One in five parents risking children’s lives by ignoring car seat laws
Car seat regulations: what you need to know
FAQs
The use of a booster was associated with a 29% reduction in the odds of any injury relative to being in a seat belt alone (OR=0.709, 95% CI=0.675, 0.745). On the other hand, the use of a booster was not statistically related to the odds of fatal/incapacitating injury relative to being restrained by a seat belt alone.
Are booster seats as safe as car seats? ›
A booster seat provides a step between a car seat with a harness and a seat belt alone. It enables a safer and more comfortable fit of the adult seat belt. Make sure your child has outgrown the weight or height limits allowed in the forward-facing car seat. They must also be mature enough to ride without a harness.
Should my 5 year old be in a car seat or booster? ›
4 – 7 Years
Keep your child in a forward-facing car seat with a harness and tether until he or she reaches the top height or weight limit allowed by your car seat's manufacturer. Once your child outgrows the forward-facing car seat with a harness, it's time to travel in a booster seat, but still in the back seat.
What is America's booster seat laws? ›
Children who are more than 4 years old but less than 8 years old, weigh more than 20 lbs but less than 65 lbs, and are less than 57 inches tall must ride in a properly secured booster seat or another federally approved child passenger restraint system.
Can a 4 year old use a backless booster seat? ›
Here are some things that will help you determine whether your child is ready for a backless booster: Age: 5 to 6 years old. Weight: at least 40 pounds. Height: 38 to 43 inches.
Are booster seats really necessary? ›
Booster seats lift the child's body so that the seat belt fits around him or her properly. Children who use a booster seat in the back seat of the car are 45% less likely to be injured in a collision than children who use just a seat belt, according to Safe Kids Worldwide.
Are backless boosters safe? ›
Backless boosters do help keep the lap belt in place on your child's hips, but there might be a safety issue if the upper belt anchors in your car are not aligned with your child's shoulder. This is not a problem with high-back boosters because they have upper back guides that keep the shoulder belt in place.
Can a 6 year old sit in a backless booster seat? ›
Here are the general requirements for backless booster seats: Backless booster seat age requirements: From the time kids surpass the weight or height limits allowed by their car seat to about 8 to 12 years of age (depending on the child's size).
When should I move to backless booster? ›
A child should stay in a high-back booster until they reach the seat's high-back height or weight limits, or until the tops of their ears reach the top of the head restraint, and then move to a backless booster.
What kind of car seat should a 40 lb child be in? ›
Those between the ages of 1 and 3 and between 20 and 39 pounds can use a forward-facing car seat. Kids between 4 and 5 and between 40 and 60 pounds must be in a booster seat.
A high-backed booster to backless booster may have tethers to clip it to the LATCH anchors in your car. This is not necessary for using the booster seat, but it might be convenient to have your booster seat held in one place. If you're not using LATCH, you can set the booster in the seat where your child will sit.
Can my 4 year old be in a booster seat? ›
Some 4-year-olds may be mature enough to properly sit in a booster seat for the entire car trip with the seat belt correctly positioned across the chest and shoulder, but many will be much older.
Which state has the strictest car seat laws? ›
Child Restraint and Seat Belt Laws
California, New Jersey, and Oklahoma have the strictest child safety laws for younger children: they require children younger than two to use rear-facing car seats to provide an extra level of protection in the event of an accident.
What are the 4 stages of car seats? ›
- Step 1: Rear-Facing Car Seats. Use a rear-facing car seat until your child is two years old. ...
- Step 2: Forward-Facing Car Seats. Use a forward-facing car seat when your child outgrows the rear-facing weight or height limit. ...
- Step 3: Booster Seats. ...
- Step 4: Seat Belts.
Ride in a booster until 4'9” tall or are at least 8 years old or weigh 80 pounds. Use a backless booster seat with lap and shoulder belt combination. The backless booster must be used with good head support behind the child. Children younger than age 13 always should ride in the back seat.
What is the weight to stop using a booster seat? ›
Doctors and safety experts advise that children use booster seats until the seat belt fits correctly. In many cases, this will be when they are at least 4'9” tall, about 80 pounds and about 8 years old.
When should I switch to backless booster? ›
A child should stay in a high-back booster until they reach the seat's high-back height or weight limits, or until the tops of their ears reach the top of the head restraint, and then move to a backless booster.
What is the weight limit to stop using a booster seat? ›
3 We know that children should use a car seat or booster seat until they are 4 feet 9 inches (57 inches) tall and weigh between 80 and 100 pounds, when they can safely ride using a seat belt.
How many years are booster seats good for? ›
Car seats and booster seats typically expire after six years; however, check under the seat or on the frame of your particular model to find the specific expiration date. Try to always buy new a car seat when your current model has passed its expiration date or after any car accidents.
