What's the rule about car seats again?

[Dottydot]

I know I should know... Are booster seats OK with ordinary car seat belts, or do we have to have proper child car seats with harness thingies?

Oh, and where's the best place (if I have to get proper harness-type ones) I can get them - i.e. cheap but OK?

Up to 135cm in height they need a car seat or booster. 0 -9kgs (min) in an infant rearfacing seat, 9-15kg ( preferably up to 18kg) in a seat with a 5 point harness , 15kg plus a booster with a high back until at least 6 or from 22kg a booster cushion. Look for brands such as Britax and Maxi Cosi, where from less relevant than what seat, its appropriateness for the child and the fit in your car. Argos have some on offer atm as do Mothercare online.

what you need depends on age / weight of child but Liz does a good summary

oh and yes you do have to use them in pretty much all circumstances

I thought there was a big loophole in the law that you could get away without seats for erratic journeys (like giving your friend's kid a lift to footie). And in emergencies.

You could get away with it in emergencies but not for taking friends kids to football.

hope this helps