Seat belts are an important safety feature of modern cars, wearing a seat belt can save lives lives and reduce the risk of injury, as such you must wear one if one is available unless you are exempt.
The driver is responsible for ensuring that all children under the age of 14 years of age wear seat belts or use approved suitable child restraint.
FRONT SEAT All vehicles | REAR SEAT Cars & small minibus | |
Driver | Seat belt MUST be worn if fitted | – |
Children under 3 years old | Correct child restraint MUST be used | Correct child restraint MUST be used* |
Child from 3rd birthday up to 1.35m in height (or 12th birthday, whichever they reach first) | Correct child restraint MUST be used | Correct child restraint MUST be used where seat belts fitted** |
Child over 1.35m in height, or 12 or 13 years old | Adult seat belt MUST be worn if available | Adult seat belt MUST be worn if available |
Adult passengers aged 14 years and over | Seat belt MUST be worn if available | Seat belt MUST be worn if available |
*If the correct child restraint is not available in a taxi, the child may travel unrestrained
**If the correct child restraint is not available in a licenced taxi or private hire vehicle, or for reasons of unexpected necessity over a short distance, or where two occupied child restraints prevent fitment of a third, then an adult seat belt MUST be worn