Child seat in a van

[Gad-Westy]

I think I'm okay on this but just want some reassurance.

We have a forward facing seat for our daughter (14 months old). I want to travel with her in the front of a medium wheelbase VW transporter van. My understanding is that this is fine but the government guidance only refers to cars or mini buses. Anybody able to verify?

[V8RX7]

I can't think of any reason why not.

I've transported my two around in my Transporter from around that age to 5+

[Kentish]

I used to take my son out in a forward facing child seat in my van when he was around 8 or 9 months old. Just turn off the airbags and it'll be fine.

[Gad-Westy]

Cheers chaps. Much appreciated

[GoneAnon]

Kentish said:

I used to take my son out in a forward facing child seat in my van when he was around 8 or 9 months old. Just turn off the airbags and it'll be fine.

Surely the airbag (if it has one) only needs turned off for rear-facing baby seats?

[mike9009]

Taken my three year old in the front of my VW T25. Far safer than the lap belts at the rear.

Also, taken her out in the front of the mx5 at six months old in a rear facing seat and at 18 months in a front facing. Someone will probably come along and say how illegal this is.....but at the time i couldn't find anything which said it was illegal.....

I wouldn't worry too much......

Mike

[CitigoGTR]

There is no reason why you can't use a front facing child seat in the front.
Some people still seem hung up the old rules, but now there are car seats you don't have to be any specific age before you can be a front seat passenger. You just need a car seat for the correct age.

I take my three year old out in the front all the time.

The only no-no is a rear facing if you can't switch the airbag off.

Edited by CitigoGTR on Sunday 10th March 20:16

[V8RX7]

mike9009 said:

Also, taken her out in the front of the mx5 at six months old in a rear facing seat and at 18 months in a front facing. Someone will probably come along and say how illegal this is.....

Totally legal.

I know this as I was stopped for speeding in my MX5 as as I rolled the pass window down the cop was most surprised to be face to face with a 1yr old.

He suggested I should slow down with a baby on board I replied (truthfully) that I already had.