In the UK, a child can legally sit in the front seat of a car under the following conditions:
- Children under 3 years old can sit in the front seat only if there is no space in the back for a child's car seat. They must travel with the correct child restraint and the passenger airbag must be disabled if using a rearward-facing seat, as it is illegal to have an active airbag with a rear-facing car seat in the front. Children under 15 months should not travel in the front seat if the airbag is active.
- Children aged 3 to 12 years old, or up to 135 cm tall, must use the correct child restraint or booster seat whether in the front or back of the car. They can sit in the front seat, but must be in an appropriate child car seat and wear a seatbelt.
- Children aged 12 years or older, or taller than 135 cm, can sit in the front seat without a child car seat but must wear an adult seatbelt.
It is generally safer for children to sit in the back seat for as long as possible due to the risks posed by airbags and crash impact forces. Drivers are responsible for ensuring children under 14 wear the correct restraint or seatbelt. Booster seats should be used until a child is at least 150 cm tall for better safety. Summary:
- Under 3 years: Front seat only with correct child seat and airbag off (if rear-facing)
- 3 to 12 years or up to 135 cm: Must use child restraint in front or back seat
- 12 years or taller than 135 cm: Can use adult seatbelt in front seat
Always ensure proper fitting of car seats according to manufacturer instructions and legal standards for safety.
