Child safety seats – when different ones are to be used: tips and advice

A rear-facing baby car seat.

It is the driver’s responsibility to ensure that children under the age of 15 have the correct protection.
Children shorter than 135 cm must have some form of special child protection.
- Exception 1: Occasional trips in the back seats of taxis are permitted if the child is under 3 years old.
- Exception 2: Occasional trips over short distances for children over 3 years old and under 135 cm are permitted if the child sits in the back seat with a seat belt on.

Baby car seat

0–9 months old or until the child is able to sit steadily.
The airbag must be disconnected if the baby car seat is placed in the front seat.
A rear-facing baby car seat provides the best protection.

7 months to 4 years old, or until the child’s head reaches the edge of the child safety seat.
The airbag must be disconnected if the child safety seat is placed in the front seat.
Front-facing child safety seats exist, but the rear-facing type is preferable from a safety viewpoint.

Rear-facing child safety seat with ISOFIX.

4 years and until the child is over 135 cm tall.
The airbag must be disconnected if the booster cushion is placed in the front seat.
The back seat offers the safest placement.

The child’s height is the primary determinant for which form of protection is suitable, but by the age of 10, most children manage with adult seats.
At a height of 135 cm, the child can sit without a booster seat/booster cushion, but not in a seat with an airbag.
At a height of 140 cm, the child can sit anywhere, just like an adult – i.e. even in a seat with an airbag.

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