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 ?

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

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

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

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

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

Mine does but he is tall enough

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.

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

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

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.

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.

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

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