Car seats on holiday: how child car seat laws differ in different countries

To help you get to grips with what those differences are so you are as prepared as possible for family car travel abroad, we’ve sought advice from AA, the RAC, individual country's embassies and the European Commission for Mobility and Transport Road Safety to bring you the latest info on child car seat laws in the most popular family holiday destinations around the world.

Here's your guide to child car seat rules and regulations 2023, country by country

Albania | Austria | Australia | Canada | Croatia | Denmark | France | Germany | Greece | India | Ireland | Malta | Netherlands | New Zealand | Norway | Portugal | Spain | South Africa | Turkey | USA

Albania: the child car-seat rules

What's the law?

• Children under the age of 4 must seat in the back seat, in an appropriate child car seat.
• Children over the age of 4 and under the age of 12 or shorter than 135cm can travel in the front passenger but must be in appropriate child seat/restraint and the airbag must be deactivated.

Can I use a UK car seat?

Yes, as long as it's approved to R44 or R129.

What's the rule with taxis?

A child can travel in a taxi without a child car seat if there isn't one available. Children under 12 must sit in the back seat.

Anything else you need to know?

You must drive on the right. You must have headlamp beam deflectors and carry a first-aid kit in the car or run the risk of facing heavy on-the-spot fines.

• You can read more on the Driving in Albania RAC website page.

Australia: the child car-seat rules

What's the law?

• Children up to the age of 6 months must be in an rearward-facing child car seat, approved to the Australian standard AS/NZS 1754, in the back of the car.
• Children over the age of 6 months but under the age of 4 must be in a rearward-facing or forward-facing child car seat, approved to the Australian standard AS/NZS 1754, in the back of the car.
• Children over the age of 4 but under the age of 7 must be in a forward-facing child car seat or booster seat, approved to the Australian standard AS/NZS 1754, and may not travel in the front seat unless the back seat is fully occupied by younger children.
• Children over the age of 7 but under 16 who are too small to be restrained by a seatbelt that's properly adjusted and fastened are strongly recommended to use a forward-facing child car seat or booster sea, approved to the Australian standard AS/NZS 1754. They may travel in the front seat, with the airbag deactivated, but it's strongly recommended that children under the age of 12 always travel in the back seat.
• Children over the height of 145cm should use an adult sash-type seat belt .

Can I use a UK car seat?

No – because child car seats bought outside Australia don't meet the Australian standard AS/NZS 1754, and won't be compatible with the anchorage system in Australian vehicles.

What's the rule with taxis?

This varies across states and territories, so it's best to check the local laws before you travel. In some states and territories, taxi drivers don’t have to provide a child car seat but must have an anchor point so a child car seat can be fitted; in other states and territories, taxi drivers must ensure that children under 16 are properly restrained.

Anything else you need to know?

You must drive on the left, and your must always park on the left-hand side of the road – it's illegal to park facing oncoming traffic.

• You can read more about driving with children in the car on the Child Car Seats website, put together by CREP, a consortium of Australian government agencies.

Austria: the child car-seat rules

What's the law?

• Children under the age of 14 years and less than 135cm in height must be in "suitable restraint systems", such as a child car seat or a booster seat.
• Children over 135cm in height must be suitably secured using a seatbelt.
• Children can be in the front seat, provided they are in a child car seat or booster seat or, if they are over 135cm tall, wearing a seatbelt. If they're in a child car seat, it must be forward-facing is the airbag is activated; a rearward-facing child car seat may only be used in the front seat if the airbag is de-activated.

Can I use a UK car seat?

Yes, as long as it's approved to R44 or R129.

What's the rule with taxis?

Taxis are exempt from the mandatory child car seat rules but children must, at the very least, seat in the back seat.

Anything else you need to know?

You must drive on the right. You must have headlamp beam deflectors and carry reflective jackets (to wear if you have an accident) and a first-aid kit.

• You can find out more about driving with children in the car on the official Austrian government website.

Canada: the child car-seat rules

What's the law?

Canada has varying regulations and age/height/weight restrictions for each province and territory – which can be a little tricky to navigate! The Child Passenger Safety Association of Canada (CPSAC) has a helpful summary, though.

Can I use a UK car seat?

No, British/EU-approved car seats are not compatible with the Canadian legal requirements for child car seats.

What's the rule with taxis?

Again, each province and territory has its own laws, so you'll need to check what applies to you. You may find this summary of the recommendations for taxis and ride-shares on the CPSAC website helpful.

Anything else you need to know?

You must drive on the right. You'll need daytime running lights – which should be present on rental cars. In most parts of Canada, you're allowed to turn right at a red traffic light – unless there is a sign saying you can't.

• You can find more info on driving in Canada on the official government website.

Croatia: the child car-seat rules

What's the law?

• Children up to the age of 5 years or 135cm in height must sit in a child car seat that's appropriate for their size and weight, and is secured on the back seat – although children under the age of 2 years can travel in an appropriate rearward-facing child car seat secured to the front seat, as long as the airbag is de-activated.
• Children over the age of 5 years but under the age of 12 years or 150 cm in height must travel in the back seat, using a booster seat or 3-point car seat belt.

Can I use a UK car seat?

Yes, as long as it's approved to R44 or R129.

What's the rule with taxis?

There are no exemptions from the laws above for taxis. Some taxi drivers may have child car seats you can use but it's better to bring your own, if you can.

Anything else you need to know?

You must drive on the right. Your car must have headlamp beam deflectors, and you must carry reflective jackets, a warning triangle and a first-aid kit.

• You can find more info on the Croatia page of the European Commission's Transport Road Safety website.

Denmark: the child car-seat rules

What's the law?

• All children under 135cm must travel in a R44 or R129 approved child car seat.
• You may have a rear-facing child car seat in the front seat but only if the airbag is deactivated.
• It is the responsibility of the driver that every child below the age of 15 is using the right safety equipment (car seat or seat belt depending on height), and the driver will be penalised if not.

Can I use a UK car seat?

Yes, as long as it's approved to R44 or R129.

What's the rule with taxis?

A child can travel in a taxi without a child car seat if there isn't one available. The child has to sit in the back seat, and if they are three years of age or older they must use the seatbelt.

Anything else you need to know?

You must drive on the right. Your car must have headlamp beam deflectors, and you must carry a warning triangle.

• You can find more info on the Denmark page of the European Commission's Transport Road Safety website.

France: the child car-seat rules

What's the law?

• All children under the age of 10 years and less than 135cm tall must use an R44 or R129 approved child car seat secured in the back seat of the car.
• Children between 135cm and 150cm tall can use a booster seat.
• A baby can travel in the front seat in a rearward-facing child car seat, but only if the airbag is deactivated.
• Children under the age of 10 are not allowed to travel (in a child car seat or booster seat) in the front seat, unless all the back seats are occupied with younger children or there are no seat belts in the back seat.
• The driver of the vehicle is responsible for ensuring that all passengers under the age of 18 years are wearing a seat belt or appropriate restraint.

Can I use a UK car seat?

Yes, as long as it's approved to R44 or R129.

What's the rule with taxis?

There is no requirement to use a child car seat in a taxi.

Anything else you need to know?

You must drive on the right. It is illegal to drive a car in France using headphones or earphones. French motorways are operated by a variety of private companies, with most featuring tolls, but they do accept cash and card.

• You can find more info about driving in France on the UK government travel-advice page for France.

Germany: the child car-seat rules

What's the law?

• Children under the age of 12 years and less than 150cm tall must travel in a R44 or R129 child car seat or booster seat.
• Children under the age of 3 years may not travel (in a child car seat) in a front seat which has an airbag.

Can I use a UK car seat?

Yes, as long as it's approved to R44 or R129.

What's the rule with taxis?

Yes, children are required to use car seats in taxis. Generally, taxi drivers do have child car seats but you shouldn't depend on that.

Anything else you need to know?

You must drive on the right. Your car must have headlamp beam deflectors, and you must carry reflective jackets, a warning triangle and a first-aid kit.

• You can find more info about driving in Germany on the UK government travel-advice page for Germany.

Greece: the child car-seat rules

What’s the law?

• Children up to the age of 12 years must travel in a R44 or R129 approved child car seat.
• Children over the age of 12 years who are over 135cm tall can wear an adult seatbelt. Children between 135cm and 150cm tall, wearing an adult seat belt, must sit in the back seat.
• A child in a rear-facing child car seat may only travel in the front seat if the airbag is deactivated.
• It is the responsibility of the driver that every child under the age of 15 years is using the right safety equipment (car seat or seat belt depending on height), and the driver will be penalised if not.

Can I use a UK car seat?

Yes, as long as it's approved to R44 or R129.

What's the rule with taxis?

A child under 12 years of age can travel in a taxi without a child car seat if there isn't one available. The child must sit in the back seat.

Anything else you need to know?

You must drive on the right. Your car must have headlamp beam deflectors, and you must carry a warning triangle and a first-aid kit.

• You can find more info about driving in Greece on the UK government's travel-advice page for Greece.

India: the child car-seat rules

There is no legal requirement to use child car seats in India. However, we strongly recommend you use one approved to R44 or R129, if you possibly can.

Ireland: the child car-seat rules

What's the law?

• All children under 150cm in height or 36kgs (79lbs) in weight must travel in a child car seat that's approved to R44 or R129 and in the back of the car, for preference.
• Children can travel in the front seat in an appropriate child car seat but it is illegal to use a rearward-facing child car seat in the front passenger seat with an active airbag. There is now a penalty for drivers who ignore this.
• Drivers have a legal responsibility to ensure that all passengers under the age of 17 are appropriately restrained in the vehicle.

Can I use a UK car seat?

Yes, as long as it's approved to R44 or R129.

What's the rule with taxis?

Taxis are exempt from child car seat regulations. All children must travel in the back seat.

Anything else you need to know?

You must drive on the left. You have to pay tolls for some motorways – most don't take credit cards so make sure you've got some change.

• You can find more info on driving in Ireland on the Tourism Ireland website.

Italy: the child car-seat rules

What's the law?

• Children under 150cm tall, regardless of weight or age, must travel in a R44 or R129 approved child car seat.
• Children over 150cm tall must wear an adult seatbelt.
• A child may not travel on the front seat in a rearward-facing child car seat unless the airbag is deactivated.
• Children over the age of 3 years may travel in the front seat in a forward-facing child car-seat.

Can I use a UK car seat?

Yes, as long as it's approved to R44 or R129.

What's the rule with taxis?

There is no requirement to use a child car seat in a taxi.

Anything else you need to know?

You must drive on the right. Your car must have headlamp beam deflectors, and you must carry reflective jackets, a warning triangle, a first-aid kit and a spare tyre.

• You can find more info about driving in Italy on Italy's official tourism website.

Malta: the child car-seat rules

What's the law?

• Children under 150cm tall, regardless of weight or age, must travel in a R44 or R129 approved child car seat.
• Children under the age of 15 months must travel in a rearward-facing child car seat. They may be in the front seat of the car if the airbag is de-activated.
• Children who are between 135cm and 150cm tall must travel in a child car seat if they are in the front seat; they may travel using the adult seatbelt in the back seat.

Can I use a UK car seat?

Yes, as long as it's approved to R44 or R129.

What's the rule with taxis?

There is no requirement to use a child car seat in a taxi.

Anything else you need to know?

You must drive in the left. You must carry a warning triangle and a first-aid kit in the car.

• You can find more info on the Malta page of the European Commission's Transport Road Safety website.

The Netherlands: the child car-seat rules

What's the law?

• Children under 150cm tall, regardless of weight or age, must travel in a R44 or R129 approved child car seat.
• Children who are between 135cm and 150cm tall must travel in a child car seat if they are in the front seat; they may travel using the adult seatbelt in the back seat.
• A child may not travel on the front seat in a rearward-facing child car seat unless the airbag is deactivated.
• If there are no seat belts in the back or you need to transport 3 children and there is only room for 2 childcare seats on the back seat, a child aged 3 years or older can sit on the back seat using an adult seat belt.

Can I use a UK car seat?

Yes, as long as it's approved to R44 or R129.

What's the rule with taxis?

If there's no child car seat present in a licensed taxi, children older than 3 years may sit in the back seat using the adult seat belt and children under 3 years can sit in the back seat on an adult’s lap.

Anything else you need to know?

You must drive on the right. Your car must have headlamp beam deflectors.

• You can find more info on the Netherlands page of the European Commission's Transport Road Safety website.

New Zealand: the child car-seat rules

What's the law?

• All children under the age of 7 years must travel in a child car seat that's suitable for their height and weight approved to the AS/NZS 1754 standard, the US standard FMVSS 213 or the R44 or R129 standard.
• Children over the age of 7 years and under the age of 8 years must travel in an child booster seat (approved to the same standards above) if one is available; otherwise a safety belt is fine.
• Children over the age of 8 and under the age of of 14 years must wear a seatbelt if there is one available; if not, they must only travel in the back seat.

Can I use a UK car seat?

Yes, as long as it's approved to R44 or R129.

What's the rule with taxis?

There is no requirement to use a child car seat in a taxi if one is not available.

Anything else you need to know?

You must drive on the left.

• You can find more info about driving in New Zealand on New Zealand's official tourism website.

Norway: the child car-seat rules

What's the law?

• Children under 150cm tall, regardless of weight or age, must travel in a R44 or R129 approved child car seat.
• Children who are between 135cm and 150cm tall must travel in a child car seat if they are in the front seat; they may travel using the adult seatbelt in the back seat.
• A child may not travel on the front seat in a rearward-facing child car seat unless the airbag is deactivated.

Can I use a UK car seat?

Yes, as long as it's approved to R44 or R129.

What's the rule with taxis?

Child car seats are required in taxis. If there's no child car seat present in a taxi, children older than 3 years may sit in the back seat using the adult seat belt and children under 3 years can sit in the back seat on an adult’s lap.

Anything else you need to know?

You must drive on the right. Your car must have headlamp beam deflectors, and you must carry reflective jackets and a warning triangle.

• You can find more info about driving in Norway on the Visit Norway website.

Portugal: child car-seat rules

What's the law?

• All children under the age of 12 years and less than 135cm tall must use a R44 or R129 approved child car seat and should be in the back of the car.
• You can transport a child under the age of 3 years in the front seat in a child car seat, as long as the airbag is deactivated.
• If there are no seat belts in the back or you need to transport 3 children and there is only room for 2 childcare seats on the back seat, the oldest child can sit on the back seat using an adult seat belt.

Can I use a UK car seat?

Yes, as long as it's approved to R44 or R129.

What's the rule with taxis?

There is no requirement to use a car seat in a taxi.

Anything else you need to know?

You must drive on the right. Your car must have headlamp beam deflectors, and you must carry reflective jackets, a warning triangle, and, if you usually wear them, a spare pair of glasses or contact lenses.

• You can find more info about driving in Portugal on Portugal's government website.

Spain: child car-seat rules

What's the law?

• All children under the age of 12 years or less than 135cm tall must travel in a R44 or R129 approved child car seat in the back seat of the car.
• If you need to transport 3 children and it’s not possible to fit 3 car seats in the back, then one car seat can be installed on the front seat, as long as the air bag is deactivated.
• If you're caught driving with children under the age of 12 years who are not in a child car seat, the police may ask you to wait until somebody brings a child car seat or the children can be transported in another car with a child car seat. You will also be fined.

Can I use a UK car seat?

Yes, as long as it's approved to R44 or R129.

What's the rule with taxis?

Children are not required to use child car seats in city areas but, if you land at an airport and your onward journey takes you out of the city centre, you'll need a child car seat.

Anything else you need to know?

You must drive on the right. Your car must have headlamp beam deflectors, and you must carry reflective jackets, a warning triangle.

• You can find more info about driving in Spain on Spain's official tourism website.

South Africa: child car-seat rules

What's the law?

• Children under the age of 3 years must travel in an appropriate child car seat.
• Children between the ages of 3 and 14 years and under 135cm tall must travel in an appropriate child car seat or a booster seat; children who are over 135cm tall may use the car seatbelt.
• All child car seats sold in South Africa must conform to the SABS 1340 certification, which is in line with R44 or R129.

Can I use a UK car seat?

Yes, as long as it's approved to R44 or R129.

What's the rule with taxis?

A child can travel in a taxi without a child car seat if there isn't one available. Children under 8 must sit in the back seat.

Anything else you need to know?

You must drive on the left. At most intersections, including 4-way stops and where traffic lights are out of service due to power outages, the first vehicle to arrive generally has priority

• You can find more info about driving in South Africa on the UK government's travel-advice page for South Africa.

Turkey: child car-seat rules

What's the law?

• Children up to 36kg or 150cm tall must travel in a child car seat suitable for their height and weight that's approved to the R44 or R129 laws.
• Children over 150cm must use the car seat belt; children between 135cm and 150cm tall can use a seat belt in the rear seat but may not travel in the front seat.
• Children under the age of 3 years may travel in the front seat in an approved child car seat suitable for their height and weight, provided the airbag is de-activated.

Can I use a UK car seat?

Yes, as long as it's approved to R44 or R129.

What's the rule with taxis?

Children must travel in an appropriate child car seat, and taxi drivers should provide one – though it's wise to check before travelling.

Anything else you need to know?

You must drive on the right. Your car must have headlamp beam deflectors, and you must carry 2 warning triangles, a fire extinguisher and a first-aid kit.

• You can find more info about driving in Turkey on the UK government's travel-advice page for Turkey.

United States of America: child car-seat rules

What's the law?

• All states have some kind of regulation about children travelling in child restraints but these vary widely from state to state in terms of the exact height/weight/age requirements. You can check the current regulations of the state you're driving though with the Governors Highway Safety Association.
• All child car seats must meet the FMVSS 213 safety standard

Can I use a UK car seat?

No. British/EU-approved car seats are not accepted as compatible with FMVSS 213 requirements.

What's the rule with taxis?

Most states do not require children to travel in child car seats in taxis but it's best to double-check regulations for the state you're visiting.

Anything else you need to know?

You must drive on the right. It's legal to turn right at a red light, as long as you come to a stop and check it's safe first.

• You can find more info about driving in the US on the USA.gov website.

Pics: Getty Images

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