Can a 8yr old use an adult seat belt?

[Jas8085]

I ferry 2 kids to music lessons in my car every week. My child has a booster seat (backless). The other child's mum insists that its ok for the child to wear adult's seat belt. We did that for 2 weeks and now my child also wants to use just the adult seat belt. For some reason, I feel uncomfortable around this arrangement. Aren't they supposed to be using booster seats until 12? Or is it ok for 8 ?

[savagehk]

If they're tall enough (unlikely)? www.gov.uk/child-car-seats-the-rules/using-a-child-car-seat-or-booster-seat

[titchy]

It's fine as long as they're tall enough.

[titchy]

Booster seats at 12 - lol you obviously don't have a child that age!

[likewhatevs]

www.madeformums.com/news-and-gossip/booster-seat-law---uk-changes-and-updates/41270.html

If its obviously cutting across their neck/face, then they are obviously too short.
If it sits comfortably across their shoulders like it would an adult, then clearly it fits.
FWIW I have a (large framed and above average height) 7 year old who still sits in his high back booster and will remain there until he's too big. He is clearly too short to sit in a car without a booster of any kind

[ohidoliketobebesidethecoast]

Ha ha, yes, both mine were bigger than me at 12 (and I'm pretty average height for a woman), so I guess maybe I need a booster seat for driving :-D

[Hoppinggreen]

Mine does but he is tall enough

[Andbabymakesthree]

Unless he's 150cm it's unlikely the adult seat belt fits him properly despite the legal minimum for no seat is 150cm.

He'd be safer in a seat.

[Andbabymakesthree]

Also my car my rules. I often booster kids whose parents don't.

[LackBladder]

Legal minimum for no seat is 135cm, or 12 years, whichever comes first. If the child is 135cm+, then it's not an issue.

[RedBugMug]

my 150cm 10yo is still in a hhb. it's much much safer than booster cushion or no seatbelt.
have a look at some crash test videos.

[EskSmith]

My dd1 is 148 cm & has just outgrown her hbb (shoulders hitting the headrest). Even now the adult seatbelt doesn't sit properly on her, she's moved to a booster cushion which works as it "guides" the seatbelt better. My dd2 is just 8 and 139cm. Despite being legally tall enough to travel without one IMO she has a way to go until she will be out of her hbb & when travelling in other cars I provide a booster seat.

[stitchglitched]

My 8 year old does but he's well over the height limit.

[Andbabymakesthree]

Doh sorry yes legal minimum is 135cm. This new baby has fried my brain