Drivers could face a fine of up to £500 if a child is not properly secured in a vehicle.
Most drivers are extra cautious when there are children travelling with a child in their car and often try to keep an eye on them as well as the road.
But many do not realise that a simple mistake - and something that might not even cross their mind - could cost them a fine of up to £500 and three points on their licence.
The Highway Code says that any child in the vehicle you're driving must be sitting in the "correct" car seat and wearing a seatbelt.
This means if you are travelling with one or more children, and their seatbelt comes undone - then you could end up facing the penalty.
You could also end up with a fine if the child moves their car seat, if they are required to have one.
According to the Highway Code, children must use a child car seat until they’re 12 years old, or at least 135 centimetres tall, whichever comes first.
Government legislation says that a car seat should be chosen based on the child's height or weight.
For height-based seats, known as i-seats, children must be rear-facing until they are over 15 months old.
For children over 15 months, a forward facing car seat can be used.
The car seat must also be correctly fitted to your car - children's car seat manufacturers have instructions on how you can do this with their products and sometimes on their websites.
You should also know that there are some exceptions to this law.
For example, if you are in a taxi, no car seat is needed - but the child must travel on one of the rear seats of the vehicle.
If the child is over three they can travel wearing an adult seatbelt and if they are under, they can travel without.
The same goes for a minibus, coach or van if there is no room for a car seat.
In the event of an unexpected journey such as an emergency, you are not required to abide by the car seat law.
However for safety reasons, where possible car seats should always be used.
You can’t take children under three on an unexpected journey in a vehicle without the correct child car seat, unless both of the following apply:
- it’s a licensed taxi or minicab
- the child travels on a rear seat without a seat belt
