Welcome to Newborn Tips! Today we are talking about a fundamental topic for child safety in the car, specifically the one concerning the topic of car seat rules. You will discover everything you need to know to ensure safe and compliant travel. Read on for useful tips and essential updates!
Table of contents
What changes from September for car seats?
From 1 September 2024, the new European regulation UNECE R129, known as i-Size, came into force, completely replacing the previous regulation UNECE R44/04 regarding child car seats.
Below we list the main changes introduced by the 2024 i-Size regulation:
- Height-based classification: The new regulation classifies child seats based on the child’s height, rather than weight, making it easier to choose the most suitable seat
- Rearward-facing installation requirement up to 15 months: Children must travel in rear-facing seats until they are 15 months old or until they reach 76 cm in height, offering greater protection for the head and neck
- Mandatory side impact tests: ECE R129-approved child seats must pass side impact tests, improving safety in the event of a collision
- Implications for parents with the new 2024 car seat regulation
Regarding the use of R44/04 child seats, although the sale of child seats approved according to the old R44/04 regulation is no longer permitted from 1 September 2024, devices already purchased can continue to be used without incurring in sanctions.
In addition, it is necessary to comply with the obligation of the child seat up to 150 cm in height. According to Article 172 of the Highway Code, children under 1.50 meters in height must be secured to the seat with a restraint system appropriate to their height and weight.
Car seat rules: Advice for parents
- Checking approval: When purchasing a new child car seat, make sure it is approved according to the R129 regulation, paying attention to the approval label
- Correct installation: Scrupulously follow the manufacturer’s instructions for installing the seat, ensuring correct attachment to the vehicle
- Regulatory updates: Stay informed about any future legislative changes regarding child restraint systems, consulting official and reliable sources
To get back to the point, the adoption of the i-Size regulation represents a significant step towards increasing child safety during car travel, offering higher standards and greater protection in the event of accidents.
Car seat 2025 where to place it by law?
According to the legislation in force in 2025, the positioning of the car seat must follow precise rules to guarantee maximum safety for the child during travel. Here are the main indications:
Rear-facing car seat:
Mandatory up to 15 months or until the child reaches 76 cm in height
Many parents often wonder what is the safest place for the car seat? In this regard, rear-facing positioning is recommended on the back seat, which is the safest position in the event of a collision
On the front seat: When can the car seat be placed in the front seat?
In reality, the child seat can be placed on the front seat only under certain conditions, which we list in the following lines:
- The airbag must be deactivated if the seat is facing the direction of travel
- The seat can be placed facing the road only when the child is over 15 months old and in compliance with the manufacturer’s instructions
Preference for the rear seat: When to place the seat in the back?
The central rear seat is considered the safest, provided that there is a three-point seat belt or an ISOFIX system. In addition to this, the tension of the belts or of the aforementioned system must be checked periodically
If the central seat is not suitable, it is preferable to use the lateral rear seats
Restraint system obligation:
The seat must be used until the child reaches 150 cm in height
Therefore, following these car seat indications is essential not only to comply with the law, but also to guarantee maximum protection for children in the event of an accident.
How do I know if the car seat is compliant in 2025?
To check if a car seat is compliant in 2025, you can follow these instructions:
1) Check the approval label: Every car seat compliant with the law must have an approval label compliant with European regulations. Details to check include:
Approval standard:
R129 (i-Size): Car seats that comply with the latest regulation, based on the child’s height
R44/04: Although no longer on sale, car seats approved to this regulation can still be used if already purchased
Orange label:
Must be present and bear the UNECE R129 or R44/04 abbreviations, the weight or height of the child for which it is suitable, and the “E” mark followed by a number (indicating the country of approval)
2) Height or weight of the child
In order to comply with the R129 regulation, car seats must clearly indicate the minimum and maximum height of the child for which they are designed.
Car seats approved to R44/04, on the other hand, indicate the minimum and maximum weight.
3) Check the installation system
ISOFIX: It is mandatory for car seats approved in 2024 according to the i-Size regulation, ensuring a safer and more stable installation
Seat belts: They are accepted for some seats, but check that they are compatible with your vehicle
4) Consult the documentation
It is important to note that the user manual of the seat must clearly report the approval specifications and installation instructions.
If you are unsure, consult the manufacturer’s website or contact the retailer.
5) Avoid seats without certification
Do not buy or use second-hand seats without the approval label or with signs of wear that could compromise their safety.
6) Check regulatory updates
Stay informed about any changes in the legislation through official sources, such as the Ministry of Transport website or road safety organizations.
By following these steps, you can ensure that the seat is safe and compliant with the 2025 laws.
When is a car seat no longer necessary?
As such, a car seat is no longer mandatory when the child reaches a height of 150 cm, regardless of age.
In fact, this requirement is established by European legislation and the Highway Code to ensure that the vehicle’s seat belts fit correctly to the child’s body.
Why 150 cm?
This height ensures that the diagonal seat belt of the vehicle passes correctly across the shoulder and not across the neck. In addition, this allows the lap belt to be positioned safely across the pelvis and not across the abdomen.
Exceptions and recommendations:
Although the mandatory car seat height ends at 150 cm, it is important to check that the seat belts are positioned correctly for the safety of the child.
In some European countries, the limit is set at 12 years of age or 150 cm, so it is useful to check local regulations if you are traveling abroad.
Furthermore, even after you stop using the car seat, make sure that your child always travels with the seat belt properly fastened. Safety remains the priority!
What happens if you are stopped without a car seat?
In 2025, if you are stopped without a car seat for a child who is required to have one, you risk administrative sanctions and other consequences provided for by the Italian Highway Code.
Possible sanctions:
- Fine: The fine varies from 87 to 344 euros, depending on the severity of the violation
- Deduction of points from the license: The violation involves the subtraction of 5 points from the license of the responsible driver
- Suspension of the license: If the same violation is repeated twice in a period of 2 years, the license can be suspended from 15 days to 2 months
- Car seat rules: Exceptions and recommendations
The car seat obligation does not apply in taxis or buses, but it is still advisable to use a portable safety device.
In the event of a documented emergency, the lack of a car seat could be tolerated, but the evaluation is up to the police.
Finally, in the following lines we present some recommendations on the subject of car seat rules:
Always make sure that the car seat is approved and installed correctly, following the manufacturer’s instructions
Keep a copy of the instruction manual or the car seat approval certificate in the vehicle for any checks
As a final point, following the car seat regulations and all the rules not only avoids fines, but above all protects the safety of the child during the trip.
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NewBorn Tips, The Editorial Team
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