Should a 7 year old still be in a car seat even if they're 135cm tall?

[24carrot]

Hello, my DS is 5.5 and 123cm tall (98th centile). Looking at his chart, at the rate he's growing he should hit 135cm when he is 7. The govt says children should stay in a car seat until they are 135cm or 12 years old, whichever comes first. But is 7 still too young? I'm asking because am expecting DC3 and we could get by without changing our car for a while longer (Audi A6) if the eldest comes out of the car seat in the next couple of years. What do you think??

[cheeeeselover]

If he's 135cm before age 12 then he won't need a car seat anymore . I don't understand really what the age 12 has to do with it as I'd have thought it should just go by height as it's a safety issue.

[DulliDulli]

DS is 7 and 136cm, he is on a booster seat with no back. He still seems to small for no car seat at all.

[DulliDulli]

Too 😬

[Hellmouth]

I think it's to do with their level of development, or risk of injury in a car crash.

[Spink]

Ds is 10, he is taller than 1.35 but all legs, so as his body is relatively short the belt still isn't low enough at his neck/ shoulder - we found this a useful guide, it's a 5 point check based on what is safe..

thecarseatlady.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/screen-shot-2014-03-08-at-2-17-42-pm.png

[24carrot]

Thanks so much - I guess we'll just have to see when the time comes but that picture is so useful Spink, and makes a lot of sense. Of course they will all be built differently, even at the same height. Better start investigating a new car at least then! My husband will be happy...