Do you need child car seats in a taxi? Understanding the Law in the UK

18th December, 2019

The rules around carrying children in a taxi can be a little tricky to get your head around – for both drivers and parents alike.

In a survey by Which?, 5,000 parents with children up to the age of 12 were asked whether they believed they could be fined if they don’t use a car seat for their own children when travelling in a taxi.

Parents were split: 39% thought it was true, while 41% thought it was false. One in five of the respondents said they don’t know.

So, if you’re a little confused about where the law stands on car seats, you can take some comfort in the fact that you’re not alone.

But, as a taxi driver, it’s vital that you do know the rules and advise your passengers accordingly.

In this article, we’ll break down the law on child car seats in taxis, answering the following questions:

Do you need a child car seat in a taxi?
Should you consider buying a car seat for child passengers?
What safety benefits does a car seat have for children?

We’ll also highlight the importance of having good taxi insurance cover in place, whether you transport minors or not.

So, let’s get down to answering those important questions.

Do you need a child car seat in a taxi?

The law states that all children travelling in the front or rear seat of any car, van or goods vehicle must use the correct child car seat until they are either 135cm in height or 12 years old (whichever comes first).

Once they exceed this, they must use an adult seat belt. The driver is responsible for ensuring that children under the age of 14 years are strapped in correctly in accordance with the law.

However, the law is a little bit more flexible when children are travelling in a taxi.

The law doesn’t insist that taxi firms provide child car seats. So, no fine will come your way if you’re unable to offer an age-appropriate child seat.

But, if your cab firm can’t provide a car seat for a baby or child, there are three safety rules you need to follow, in accordance with the law:

A child can only travel in a taxi or private hire vehicle without a child car seat if he or she sits in the back.
Children older than three years old must use the car’s adult seat belt.
Children under three should not use a seat belt.

However, the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) advises parents to book a different taxi – one that can provide child car seats – as opposed to travelling in one without any provisions. Which begs the question…

UK laws on child car seats in taxis

In the UK, the law is clear: children under 12 years old or under 135 cm in height must use a child car seat in most vehicles, including taxis. This means that until your child reaches either 135 cm in height or their 12th birthday, they must be secured in the correct child car seat. Once they surpass these thresholds, they must switch to using an adult seat belt.

As a taxi driver, it’s your responsibility to ensure that children under 14 years old are properly restrained according to the law. This means using the correct child car seat for younger passengers. Ensuring compliance not only keeps you on the right side of the law but also significantly enhances the safety of your young passengers.

Taxi exemptions from child car seat laws

Licensed taxis and private hire vehicles have specific regulations regarding child car seats. If a child car seat is not available in a licensed taxi or private hire vehicle, the child may travel unrestrained in the rear seat. This exception exists for practical reasons, acknowledging that it may not always be feasible to have a child car seat on hand.

However, it’s important to note that this exemption is not based on safety considerations. The driver remains responsible for ensuring that the child is correctly restrained whenever possible. There are four specific exceptions where a child may travel using a seat belt rather than a child seat if a child seat is not available. Understanding these exceptions can help you navigate the legal landscape while prioritising the safety of your passengers.

Should you consider buying a car seat for child passengers?

There’s a strong argument for buying a car seat to ensure that when you’re transporting children, they are as safe as they can be.

As RoSPA suggests, some parents might refuse to use your service unless you provide the appropriate car seat for their children. So, investing in one could prove good for business, as much as anything else.

It also positions your taxi business as responsible as safety conscious in the eyes of your customers – never a bad thing. Using the correct child seat is important, especially when space is limited in the rear of the vehicle or when accommodating multiple child seats.

The only drawbacks of providing a child car seat is the initial expense and knowing where to store it for convenience.

You might not be able to fit it in your vehicle’s boot and it may prove difficult to pick up multiple passengers with it in position all the time.

Buying a car seat

To accommodate children under three years old, you will need to invest in a rearward-facing baby seat that meets the R44 or R129 safety standards or a forward-facing child seat with an internal harness that meets R44 or R129.

Rearward facing child seats should not be used in a seat fitted with an active front passenger airbag unless the airbag has been switched off.

But, don’t worry, you don’t have to buy a number of different car seats. There are car seats available today that can be adjusted so that they can be used from nine months to 12 years.

A baby strapped into a car seat

What safety benefits does a car seat have for children?

Car seats are designed to protect vulnerable children from crash injuries in case of a road traffic collision. They do this through a number of safety features including:

Protective shell, head support and padding.
Semi-supine position (45-degree recline angle to provide good support for a baby's head and neck).
Secured to the vehicle via a seat belt or base.

Nobody wants to be involved in a car accident, but they can and do happen, regardless of how safe a driver you are.

Babies’ bodies are different from adults’, as they’re not fully developed.

They can suffer severe injuries to their neck, spine and internal organs from the force of a crash, especially if they’re not strapped in properly or are in the wrong car seat.

With this in mind, the safety experts advise that children are kept rearward-facing for as long as possible – at least until they’re four years old.

That’s because in a rear-facing child car seat, the seat shell will act as a protective shield and absorb the impact energy.

The forces of the impact are spread over the whole large area of the child’s back, neck and head, thereby significantly less strain is put on the child’s neck.

If you do invest in a child car seat, ensure that you’re comfortable installing it every time.

Legal penalties for non-compliance

Failing to comply with seat belt and child car seat laws can result in significant penalties. The fixed penalty for not wearing a seat belt as a driver or passenger is a £100 fine. If the case goes to court, the fine can increase to up to £500.

As a driver, if you are convicted of failing to ensure that a child passenger is using an appropriate child car seat or wearing a seat belt according to legal requirements, you face the same penalties: a £100 fine, which can rise to £500 if taken to court.

Non-compliance can affect any claims against your car or taxi insurance cover, potentially leading to higher costs and complications. Adhering to these laws is crucial to avoid legal and financial repercussions.

Booster seats in taxis

Booster seats are designed to raise your child’s body so they can be securely fastened by a standard adult seat belt. In the UK, there are two types of booster seats available: high-back booster seats and backless booster seats.

While you can legally use a booster seat, the rules vary depending on the age of the seat and the weight of your child. Older backless booster seats, manufactured before March 2017, can still be used by children weighing 15-36kg, but child seat experts do not recommend this. High-back booster seats are generally considered safer as they provide better support and protection.

Get taxi insurance to maximise your income and minimise risk

To transport passengers in your taxi, you’ll need to take out specialist taxi insurance to meet your legal obligations as a road user as ordinary car insurance won’t be valid.

Here at Taxi Insurer, we can help you find a taxi insurance policy that suits your needs.

We can work out a payment plan to make the monthly costs manageable alongside all your other business expenses.

Some of the benefits of arranging cover through Taxi Insurer can include: