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| Carrying other people's children safely Any organisation or individual who carries other people's children has a legal duty to ensure they carry them safely and so they must make sure they provide appropriate child restraints for each child carried. Since 18 September 2006, the law requires all children in cars, vans and other goods vehicles to be carried in the correct child restraint from birth until either they are 135cm (4'5") tall or have reached the age of 12 years (whichever comes first). They must then use a seat belt. More information on the new law. If you do not normally carry children, but know that, on occasion you may need to do so at short notice, you need to consider how you can make arrangements to have access to child restraints in such situations. If you do use other people's child restraints, get them to talk you through the manufacturers instructions whilst showing you how to fit the seat first, so that you are sure you can fit it correctly. Exceptions - if an appropriate child restraint is not available, children over 3 years old may travel in the rear using an adult seat belt. This exception is for emergencies and unplanned situations. For example, when someone has to carry a child due to an "unexpected necessity" over a short distance, and where not carrying the child (because a child restraint is not available) might leave him or her at risk. It does not apply to trips that could have reasonably been planned e.g. a school run. The law does not require child restraints to be provided in taxis, private hire vehicles, minicabs, minibuses or coaches although they must be used if available. Seat belts must be worn, if fitted. Minibuses, buses and coaches In small buses, up to 2,540kg unladen weight, children over 3 years old must wear seat belts, or use child restraints, if available. On larger buses and coaches, all seated passengers aged 14 years and above must wear seat belts if they are fitted. The driver must notify passengers when they board that they have to wear their belts and/or signs must be displayed at every seat. Operators are not required to provide child restraints, but if they are available and if they can be fitted properly, they must be used. Licensed Taxis If a child restraint is not available, children under 3 years must travel in the rear, but bay be unrestrained. Children 3 years and over up to 135cm tall must sit in the rear and use an adult seat belt. Children aged 12 years or more, or over 135cm tall may travel in the front, but must wear a seat belt.  Return to Parents Advice page Return to Drivers & Riders page Department for Transport ROSPA |
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