5 year old in the front seat - is it legal?

[hepy]

A neighbour lets his 5 year old child sit in the front seat of his car. He is a serving police officer and the car is a Toyota Celica, so not sure if a booster seat would fit in there given that it's a 2+2.

I thought this was illegal unless they are above 140cm? The child isn't that big.

I've looked on the web, and there is conflicting advice, can anyone enlighten me?

[littleguy]

I *think* the answer is yes but with a child seat/booster seat.

Think about what would happen if you only owned a 2 seater car.

[RobinBanks]

Is this General Gassing or General Grassing?

[vikingaero]

Preferred position is centre rear if available.

If the front passenger seat is used then the seat should be slid back as far as possible.

[NicheMonkey]

RobinBanks said:

Is this General Gassing or General Grassing?

Hahahahhaah

[Impasse]

The child is allowed to be in that area of the car, yes - but - there are restrictions based on age and height centred around booster or child seats.
https://www.gov.uk/child-car-seats-the-rules

[stuartmmcfc]

Tip: if you're caught peeking from behind your curtains, brazen it out and pretend you're cleaning the windows.
Don't jump back as you'll come across as a nosey tt..

[DanielSan]

As it's not mentioned was the car even moving?

[Captain Muppet]

DanielSan said:

As it's not mentioned was the car even moving?

I enjoy a bit of OP sniping too, but the OP would have to be an idiot far beyond the level I consider likely to whine about the legality of a child sitting in the front of a car that doesn't move.

[mph1977]

under 3 must be in a child seat

over 3 any seat assuming a suitable seat belt or child seat or combination of seat and seatbelt is fitted ... if no seatbelt in a rear seat

[JordanTurbo]

My 4yo and 2yo regularly sit in the front if it's just myself and one child going out.

Both kids are in front facing car seats.

[Claudia Skies]

hepy said:

A neighbour lets his 5 year old child sit in the front seat of his car.

Why the surprise? Did you really think there was a ban on children in 2-seater sportscars?

[JQ]

hepy said:

A neighbour lets his 5 year old child sit in the front seat of his car. He is a serving police officer and the car is a Toyota Celica, so not sure if a booster seat would fit in there given that it's a 2+2.

I thought this was illegal unless they are above 140cm? The child isn't that big.

I've looked on the web, and there is conflicting advice, can anyone enlighten me?

Of course he can sit in the front seat, how do you think children get transported in 2 seaters?

If the child is in a rear facing seat then the airbag needs to be de-activated. If in a forward facing seat then again best practice is to turn off the airbag, if not possible then the seat should be moved back as far as possible.

[Mr E]

vikingaero said:

If the front passenger seat is used then the seat should be slid back as far as possible.

No rear seats. Passenger seat doesn't move at all.

No abs, no airbags. The kid and I both explode every time we look at the car.

[gazzarose]

The wife's mk3 mx5 has got isofix on the passenger seat. No kids yet tho so having had to think about it yet.

[vx220]

http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=r5m_eVsk5A8

Wish I could have done this as a kid!

Think I'd want a booster under him though

[anonymous-user]

If it's just me and my daugher in the car I almost always have her in the front, since she's been out of the rear facing seet. At first in the full big beast seat and now in a booster with a back. Had no choice if we were in the MX5. It never occurred to me that some fuss arse might have an opinion on this.

[VTECMatt]

Picked my baby up from maternity ward, in my Elise, 3 hours old

[john2443]

stuartmmcfc said:

Tip: if you're caught peeking from behind your curtains, brazen it out and pretend you're cleaning the windows.
Don't jump back as you'll come across as a nosey tt..

....ironing the curtains!