Child Car Seat Safety In Taxi Cabs: What Is The Law?

In many cities and towns in the UK, private taxi travel is a popular mode of transport which is often favoured over taking public transport due to its convenience and comfort. Particularly for those travelling with young families, who may prefer a quieter and more private environment. 

The law regarding car seats is clear when it comes to your own car, but there seems to be a grey area regarding public and private transportation. Unfortunately, when you get into a taxi, a car seat is not always readily available, so what is the law exactly?

Read on below to discover the law relating to child car seats in private taxis.

Child Car Seat Laws

UK law states that children travelling by car or van should use a car seat until they reach 135cm tall or turn 12 years old, whichever comes first, when they should use a standard adult seatbelt. The driver is responsible for making sure these conditions are met for children under 14.

For taxi companies, however, the regulations are a little bit more relaxed. Taxi drivers aren’t legally required to provide car seats, and will not receive any type of penalty for not offering an age-appropriate seat.

If The Taxi Doesn’t Have A Child Seat

If you book a taxi and when it arrives and see that it isn’t fitted with a child seat, you may not be sure what is the safest way for your child to ride. Here’s what you should do:

• Children under 3 years: Children should sit in the backseat on the lap of an adult wearing a seatbelt.
  

• Children aged 3 years and older: Children should ride in the backseat, using an adult seatbelt.

Ensuring Safe Journeys

Although the law states that there will be no penalties for not using a car seat during a taxi ride, understanding what the UK car seat safety rules are means that taxi drivers and parents alike are able to plan a journey with safety as the priority. Where possible, it is recommended that the parent bring a child seat with them to use in the taxi. 

Book with Lewis Taxis

At Lewis Taxis, we understand that families have a busy schedule and it’s not always convenient to carry around a car seat with you from place to place. If you book a taxi with us and let us know you are travelling with children, we will be more than happy to provide car seats. Our priority is to ensure the well-being of all little ones and give you peace of mind as a parent.

If you are located in Coventry or the surrounding area and looking for a trustworthy taxi company, Lewis Taxis is the one for you. Call now on 024 7666 6666 or visit our bookings page to book your taxi today.