Seat Belts - Summary of the Law

• You must wear a seat belt in cars and goods vehicles where one is fitted. There are very few exceptions to this. The driver is liable to prosecution if a child under 14 years does not wear a seat belt or child restraint.
• You must not carry an unrestrained child in the front seat of any vehicle.
• Children up to 135cms in height must use the appropriate child restraint when travelling in any car, van or goods vehicle - there are very few exceptions.
• A child may use an adult belt when they reach 135cm or the age of 12.
• In buses and coaches with seat belts fitted, passengers aged 3 years and above must use them. Child restraints must be used if they are available in the vehicle. Passengers on vehicles used for public fare-paying passengers on 30mph roads are exempt.

The law is summarised in the table below.

Person	Front Seat	Rear Seat	Who is Responsible
Driver	Seat belt must be worn if fitted.	-	Driver
Child under 3 years of age	Correct child restraint must be used.	Correct child restraint must be used. If one is not available in a taxi, may travel unrestrained.	Driver
Child from 3rd birthday up to 135cms in height (approx 4ft 5ins) (or 12th birthday, whichever they reach first)	Correct child restraint must be used.	Correct child restraint must be used where seat belts fitted. Must use adult belt in rear sear if correct child restraint not available: - in a taxi; - for a short distance in an unexpected necessity; - if two occupied child restraints prevent fitting of a third.	Driver
Child 12 or 13, or over 135cms (approx 4ft 5ins) in height	Adult seat belt must be worn if available.	Adult seat belt must be worn if available.	Driver
Adult Passengers	Seat belt must be worn if available.	Seat belt must be worn if available.	Passenger