Child car and booster seats in the UK?

[NakedFlame]

We are moving back to the UK shortly and I want to double check what I understand regarding car and booster seats.

Son no.1 is only 8 years old but already 137cm tall. According to UK law even though he is not 14 his height means that he is too tall for a booster seat. I do not need a seat for him and only need to make sure he is buckled up like myself. Is this correct?

Son no.2 is nearly 5 years old and is also very big. He is 23 kg and I have moved him to a booster seat like the one below. I cannot see any details on what 4-year olds should be wearing. As soon as I could I moved him to a booster seat from a chair type seat that was attached via a Isofix. Is this OK?

booster

Legally your 8 year old does not need to Use a booster but he is only just over135 cm so the adult seat belt might still sit on his neck not his shoulder. If this is the case he would be safer on a booster for another year.

Your booster is legal for your younger child but he would be much safer in a high backed booster which would offer side protection and make sure the seat belt is positioned correctly on his shoulder. Many high backed boosters can have the back removed later on if you so wish but it is safer to use with the back on it.

Legally your 8 year old does not need to Use a booster but he is only just over135 cm so the adult seat belt might still sit on his neck not his shoulder. If this is the case he would be safer on a booster for another year.

Your booster is legal for your younger child but he would be much safer in a high backed booster which would offer side protection and make sure the seat belt is positioned correctly on his shoulder. Many high backed boosters can have the back removed later on if you so wish but it is safer to use with the back on it.

Son1 - yes, ok to use a seat belt on it's own. However do check where it is on his body as it may be very near the neck. A seat booster (9.99 from many shops) may give a better fit for a while.
Belt should be over shoulder not the neck.

The mothercare page you linked to has a number of options for high back boosters without harness (your child is too big for a harness). If you need a low budget option the britax adventure is on sale, but obviously better seats are availablr

The mothercare page you linked to has a number of options for high back boosters without harness (your child is too big for a harness). If you need a low budget option the britax adventure is on sale, but obviously better seats are availablr

Son2 I would have in a Group 2/3 High Backed Booster which goes up to 36kg. Like this: www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_storeId_10001_catalogId_10151_productId_507809_langId_-1_categoryId_165554#tab2

The high backed booster I feel will give more side and head support.

www.childcarseats.org.uk/types-of-seat/
This says about Groups and weights.

I agree that a high back booster would be better for your younger child. They're not that expensive, safer, more comfortable, and he'll be using it for a few years. You can use the backless booster either for your older DS if he's still a bit too short for a perfect fit for the seat belt, or for occasional taxi journeys for younger DC or visiting friends to use.

I'd use a booster cushion for the oldest and a high backed booster with seat belt for the youngest, though legally I think you'd be ok with nothing for the oldest and booster cushion for the youngest.

Very helpful. Thank you.

I am in Ireland and here the limit is 150 not 135 , I think 135cm is still too small to be without a booster seat. So I would put your ds1 on a booster cushion like the one you linked to. I would definitely have your ds2 in a hbb, at his age he is too young for a booster cushion. A hbb is much safer and you can take the back off when he is older.

I think I'd need a booster seat in Ireland then!

the science :) its just under 5ft I think, I know of a few adults who should have one lol