The number of Northern Ireland drivers fined over child car seats in three years

Offences varied from no seat being used at all, to the wrong seat for the child’s age or size, or no seatbelt at all.

Police in Northern Ireland issued just over 300 fixed penalty notices to parents and drivers for child car seat and seatbelt offences between 2023 and 2025. That’s equivalent to £18,590 in fines over the three years.

That’s according to data obtained by Confused.com through Freedom of Information requests sent to UK police constabularies including the PSNI.

Behind each of these penalties is a child who wasn’t restrained correctly in the car because parents hadn’t followed UK child car seat laws. These offences varied from no seat being used at all, to the wrong seat for the child’s age or size, or no seatbelt at all.

The offences cover a range of scenarios. In the UK, children must use an appropriate child car seat until they reach 135cm (4 feet 5 inches) in height or their 12th birthday, whichever comes first.

After this point, they can legally move onto an adult seat belt, but drivers are legally responsible for ensuring any passenger under 14 years old is properly restrained.

When it comes to choosing the safest seat, rear-facing seats should never be used in a front passenger seat with an active airbag. Any restraint used must suit a child’s current height and weight, not simply their age.

In Northern Ireland, driving with a child under 14 who is not using the correct child car seat or restraint carries a fixed penalty fine of £60 and 3 penalty points on your driving licence. If the case goes to court, the maximum fine can increase up to £500.

To help parents make the right choice for their child, Confused.com has launched a car seat safety checker. Parents simply enter their child’s age and weight, and the tool instantly recommends the appropriate car seat or restraint for their child’s stage, helping families keep their child safe, stay within the law, and avoid the cost of getting it wrong.Matt Crole-Rees, motoring expert at Confused.com car insurance, says getting your child’s car seat right isn’t just about avoiding a fine: “It‘s one of the most important things a parent can do to keep them safe on every journey.

“Yet, despite most parents feeling confident in their knowledge, our research shows a significant number are still unsure exactly when their child should move onto the next stage, or which seat is right for their age and size. That uncertainty can have real consequences, both on the road and afterwards.

“It’s also worth remembering that getting this wrong won’t necessarily invalidate your car insurance outright. But following the law matters, for your child’s safety first and foremost.

“Our car seat safety checker takes the guesswork out of the equation. By simply entering your child’s age and weight, parents can get clear, instant guidance on the right seat for their child, helping families make safer choices and avoid falling foul of the law.”

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