Summary of new requirements

All children under 3 years old must use an appropriate child restraint when travelling in any car or goods vehicle (except in the rear of a taxi if a child seat is not available).  

Children aged 3 or more years old and up to 135cm (approx. 4ft 5in) in height must use an appropriate child restraint when travelling in cars or goods vehicles fitted with seat belts. (Few exceptions are permitted). Rear facing baby seats must not be used in seats with an active frontal air-bag.  

From May 2009, where seat belts are provided, the number of people carried in the rear of vehicles may not exceed the number of seats available fitted with seat belts or child restraints.  From May 2008 only child restraints complying with UN ECE Reg 44.03 or a later standard may be used.

Drivers remain responsible for seat belt wearing and use of the relevant child seat or booster by children under 14 years of age.  

Penalties for offenders remain at a £30 fixed penalty notice or a maximum fine of £500 if a case goes to court.  

Permitted exceptions  

There is a special exemption for children over 3 years on an occasional journey (e.g. unforeseen emergency) over a short distance.  The child must still use an adult belt and sit in the rear.  This exemption is not for journeys such as the regular school run.  Children under 3 years must always have a child seat.  The only exception is when they travel in the rear of taxis and a child seat is not available.

Summary Table  

Occupant	Front Seat	Rear Seat
Driver	Seat belt must be worn if fitted.	Despite the common joke, it is not possible to drive from the back seat.
Child under 3 years	Correct child restraint must be used.	Correct child restraint must be used.
Child 3 to 11 years and under 1.35 m (approx 4ft 5 ins)	Correct child restraint must be used.	Correct child restraint must be used.
Child 12 or 13 or younger child over 1.35 m	Seat belt must be worn if fitted.	Adult seat belt must be worn if fitted.
Adult passenger	Seat belt must be worn if fitted.	Seat belt must be worn if fitted.

In all instances it is the Driver's responsibility to make sure the passengers use the seat belts, unless the passenger is over 14 years old. For more details about the new rules visit the Department for Transport (DfT) website  

The following table shows what seat belts are available in each of our cars: N.B. None of our cars are fitted with air bags or the new ISOFix seat mountings 

 

Vehicle	Front Seat	Rear Seat
Austin Healey 3000	Inertia reel seat belts	NO rear seats
Ford Mustang	Lap belts only	Two seats - NO seat belts
Jaguar E-Type Roadster	Inertia reel seat belts	NO rear seats
Jaguar Mark 2	Inertia reel seat belts	Two Inertia reel seat belts - no seat belt for middle seat passenger
MGB Roadster	Inertia reel seat belts	NO rear seats
Triumph Stag	Inertia reel seat belts	Two inertia reel seat belts and one lap belt in the centre
Triumph TR4A	Inertia reel seat belts	NO rear seats
Triumph TR6	Inertia reel seat belts	NO rear seats
Volkswagen Karmann Ghia	Inertia reel seat belts	Emergency rear seat only - no seat belts

Click on the button below to download a PDF of these details.