While most children must be secured in an appropriate car seat, there are exceptions to the rule. The Highway Code and Road Traffic Act 1988 outline specific circumstances where a child may travel without a car seat.
Children aged three or older can use an adult seatbelt instead of a car seat if the journey is unexpected, necessary, and over a short distance, provided a car seat is not available. However, children under three cannot travel on an unexpected journey without a car seat, except in a licensed taxi or minicab where they must sit on a rear seat without a seatbelt.
In minibuses and coaches, companies are not required to provide child car seats. In coaches, a child does not need a car seat or seatbelt if none are available. In minibuses, children must sit in the rear seat if no car seat or adult seatbelt is provided. Children aged three or older must use a child car seat if available, or an adult seatbelt if child seats are not fitted.
If there is no room for a third child car seat in the back, a child under three must travel in the front seat with the correct car seat. For children aged three or older, they can sit in the rear using an adult seatbelt. In private hire taxis or minicabs, children can travel without a car seat if one is not provided, but must sit on a rear seat and wear an adult seatbelt if aged three or older. Children under three may ride without a seatbelt but must remain in the rear seat.
