• Child car seats are usually mandatory in the UK until a child has reached either 12 years of age or 135 cm in height.sleeping in a car image by Renata Osinska from Fotolia.com
  
  British law mandates the use of car seats for small children sitting in both the front and rear seats of a car. Car seats must be compliant with the standard adopted by the United Nations, ECE Regulation 44-03. They must also be size-appropriate and installed properly. These seats are required until a child has reached either 135 cm in height or their 12th birthday, whichever occurs first.
  
  

0-3 years

• Children up to the ages of three must use car seats in both the front and rear seats. The only exception to this law is for taxis, in which case small children may ride completely unrestrained. Rear-facing car seats are illegal for use in the front seat, which is typically protected by an airbag.
  
  

3 years–12 years/135 cm in height

• Children in this category must use child restraints in almost all situations. They may travel without a car seat if they are in a taxi, a car that already has two car seats--preventing a third from being installed--or on a short ride of “unexpected necessity.” In these cases they must use a seat belt if one is available.
  
  

Fines and punishment

• The law stipulates that drivers are responsible for the appropriate use of child restraints. Failure to do so may result in a fine of up to £500. Civil damage lawsuits may also result in instances where a driver failed to protect someone else’s child with a child seat.