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 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.

Rear-facing child safety seat

• 9 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.

Booster seat / booster cushion

• 4–12 years old or 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.

Taking away the child seat and sitting like an adult

• 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.

Theory test with video questions

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