driving with children

[cinnamondanish]

After having a discussion with my boss the other day I was wondering if anyone on here could clear things up.
Does anyone know if children are allowed to ride in the front of cars and if so from what age. My boss often lets her 3 1/2 year old or her 7 year old sit in the front (on their car seats) when she's driving. I'm dead against this as I feel there is no need, there is plenty of room on the back seat and when I'm driving I always put them in the back.
Anyone know the law regarding this ?

I don't think there is a law specifically about the front seat - so long as children are in the correct seat. On safety grounds the airbag should be switched off if the seat is rearfacing, or the seat should be pushed right back if it is forward facing.

Not sure there is a law, as long as they correctly restrained and in appropriate car seats and air bags are off of rear facing.

I have to put the youngest child in the front as I struggle to get his infant carrier in the back ( only have a 3 door car). My car doesn't have front airbags so me & mum don't see this as an issue

You need to turn the airbag off with rearfacing car seats, but other than that, as long as the children are in an age appropriate seat or booster seat, they can sit anywhere in the car but behind the wheel.

If spaces are available in the back I think they are meant to be used first.

If there is no space, as long as they are in appropriate car seats and air bags deactivated then they can sit in the front.

If air bags cannot be switched off, then a child should never be put in the front.

Info here - correct child restraint must be used.

Driver is responsible for ensuring all under 14's use the correct restraint. As you are the driver (regardless of if you own the car, or your boss owns the car) then I feel you get to decide where the children sit.

You don't want a child to distract you, to push buttons, to open the door whilst the vehicle is in motion. If they are sitting in the front seat then they could do some of those things, which they can't do if sitting in the rear (assuming there are child locks on the rear doors).