Seat belts and child seats in the United Kingdom (2026)
Last reviewed: 9 October 2026
In short: A seat belt must be worn in any seat that has one. Children need a child car seat until age 12 or 135 cm, whichever comes first.
| Rule | What applies |
|---|---|
| Seat belt compulsory in front seatsPassenger cars | Yes [1] |
| Seat belt compulsory in rear seatsPassenger cars | Yes [1] |
| Child restraint required untilPassenger cars | Children normally need a child car seat until they are 12 years old or 135 cm tall, whichever comes first. [2] |
| Children in the front seatPassenger cars | Child car seats may be fitted in a front seat. A rear-facing baby seat there needs the front airbag deactivated first. [2] |
| Rear-facing child seat in front with active airbagPassenger cars | No [2] |
Sources
- GOV.UK: Seat belts: the law: Overview (consulted 9 October 2026) · all sources
- GOV.UK: Child car seats: the law: Using a child car seat or booster seat (consulted 9 October 2026) · all sources
Related pages
General information, not legal advice. Rules change: check the official source before you fly or ride.