We all love to adventure and explore. For those lucky enough to journey abroad with their kids, travel can provide exciting experiences and create cherished memories.
But, as with any holiday, safety should always be a priority. If you’re hiring a rental car, or taking your own overseas, brushing up on the local car seat rules is a must.
Although safety recommendations exist for the whole world, the actual rules are a little different wherever you go. All United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) countries use ECE R44 and R129 booster seats, but that doesn’t extend to every country across the globe.
That’s why parents and guardians travelling abroad may want to learn more about the laws of the country they’re holidaying in. Our comprehensive global map will let you know the child car seat dos and don’ts for everywhere and anywhere you might travel.
Quick pullouts:
76
countries (39.4%) have no official child car seat laws.
62
countries (32.1%) have no front seat restrictions.
Peru
has the youngest age restriction for children to use seat belts, at just 3-years-old.
South Africa
has the oldest age limits, with children needing to be 14 or above to use a seat belt.
Yemen
has no seat belt laws at all for any age.
Understanding different child car seats and their safe usage
Now that you know what rules to follow for your destination, it’s time to brush up on which seats are best for your kids. Remember – even in countries where no official laws exist, it’s always smart (and safer) for young kids to be buckled into a child seat during journeys. In this section we’ll look at the different types of seat available and offer some general safety tips.
What kinds of car seats should I use for a child?
As every parent knows, little ones sprout up quickly. And as wonderful as it is to see them grow, that does also mean having to regularly change their car seat. There are four main seat options that parents should know about, depending on your child’s age and size:
Rear-facing car seats
Best for infants during the first few years of their lives, these seats offer protection for a child’s head, back, and spine. It can be attached in either the front passenger seat or rear of your vehicle, and usually work for kids as old as four.
Forward-facing car seats
As they continue to grow, a child can be placed in a forward-facing seat. For this to work, they need to be able to sit tall and straight, without moving. That’s why they’re generally only for toddlers and up. Kids who fit into this range tend to be anywhere from three to six years of age, but the exact specifications will depend on their weight and height.
Booster seats
Next comes the booster seat. These allow for a child to sit in the back of a vehicle, with the booster making it easier for them to be safely attached via the car’s actual seat belts. Big kids can sometimes push back when asked to sit in a booster, so try to make it feel like a fun or special chair for them, rather than a chore.
Seat belts
Last but not least, kids will eventually grow enough to use the regular seat belts in a car. If you’re confused about whether the seat belt fits a child properly, make sure to carry out the full seat belt test.
The age, height, and weight at which each of these seats needs to be used will change, depending on the country you’re in. That’s why our handy map exists to help you know what rules to follow.
What is the difference between ECE R44 and ECE R129 car seats?
There are two different child seats that are used by UNECE members to keep kids safe. Knowing the difference is important when choosing the right one for your child.
ECE R129
Also known as i-Size, these seats are the most modern version currently available. R129s are measured by how tall a child is, rather than their weight or age. There are four different models:
| 40cm-105cm | 40cm-125cm |
|---|---|
| Rear-facing seat fixed to the car with integral harnesses. | Front-facing seat which can be strapped into the car with regular seat belts, with the child fixed in the seat with integral harnesses. |
| 100cm-150cm | 125cm-150cm |
|---|---|
| Booster seat which can be placed on the regular car seat, with the child strapped in with the car’s normal seat belt. | The same as for children between 100cm and 125cm, but with the booster seat itself being backless. |
ECE R44
The R44 focuses on a child’s weight, rather than height. These seats fall into three groups (0,0+, 1,2, and 3), depending on how much your child weighs in kilograms. In some cases, groups will merge to account for the varying age and weight of children. As most parents know, one size very rarely fits all.
The groups are measured like this:
| Group | Weight | Age |
|---|---|---|
| 0 | 0kg-10kg | Birth to 6-9 months |
| 0+ | 0kg-13kg | Birth to 12-15 months |
| 0+/1 | 0kg-18 kg | Birth to 4 years |
| 0+/1&2 | 0kg-25kg | Birth to 6 years |
| 1 | 9kg-18 kg | 9 months to 4 years |
| 1, 2 and 3 | 9kg-36kg | 9 months to 11 years |
| 2 | 15kg-25 kg | 4 to 6 years |
| 2/3 | 15kg-36kg | 4-11 years |
| 3 | 22kg-36kg | 6-11 years |
As you might be discovering, these groups can be a little confusing at times. That’s the main reason why R44s are slowly being phased out. Despite that, they’re still legal to use as long as it’s been less than eight years since the date they were certified.
Understanding different car seat labels
Not all seats fit safely into every car or van. Knowing whether or not one will work for yours depends on its label. Here are what the three different types of label mean:
| Universal approval | Semi-universal approval | Vehicle-specific approval |
|---|---|---|
| Labels that are universal can be used in any car. | If a model is semi-universal, you’ll need to check your car’s manual to see if the seat will fit. | These seats can only be used in certain vehicles. |
These ratings will be easy to spot on the orange label that’s included on every seat. If you seat isn’t universally approved, you may need to do a little bit of research to see if it’s safe for your car.
Child seat safety tips
A child car seat won’t do much good if it isn’t properly strapped in. To make sure a seat is protecting a child as they should, keep these handy tips in mind:
Choose the best car seat type
With so many options to choose from, it might be tricky to work out what’s best for your child.
Make sure to know their weight and height when looking up the rules of any foreign country you’re visiting.
Watch your child’s positioning
If a child can wiggle around, or doesn’t seem supported in their seat, it could be that they’re too small for it.
And be sure to check where the seat belt rests on older children. It needs to be across the chest and on the bony part of their shoulders, rather than behind their back or under their arm.
Check the car seat’s expiration date
As strange as it sounds, child car seats can expire. That’s particularly true of R44 models.
You can find this date on the orange label that comes with the seat, or in the instruction manual that was in the box with it.
Watch online video tutorials
Watching online tutorials that explain how to safely install the car seat can be a game changer. These step-by-step video guides can often be easier to understand than a text-heavy manual.
Look for tutorials provided by the manufacturer or reputable sources.
Attend a seat safety clinic
There are classes you can take to make sure you know how to properly adjust a car seat. The instructor will show you what to do and give you feedback after you’ve given it a go yourself.
Car seat retailers can also show you how to fit and use a car seat. And if you’re not totally confident, you may even be able to come back for a refresher further down the line.
Secure your child outside the car
Sometimes it’s easier to keep a child in their seat when moving them outside the car.
This is perfectly safe, as long as you keep them securely buckled, never place them on a raised surface, and take them out of the seat as soon as it’s safe to do so at your end destination.
Only use approved car seat accessories
You may find some brands include accessories to make a journey more comfortable for a child.
Make sure you’re only attaching accessories that are officially licensed to be included on your seat. Unlicensed products could malfunction.
Complete the seat belt fit test
This quick test will let you know if a child is ready for a traditional seat belt:
- Your child’s knees should be against the seat while their back is flush against it
- Their feet should touch the floor and be stable
- The lap belt should snuggly fit across their hips or upper thighs
- The shoulder belt should be across their chest, not their face
