A guide to taxi car seat responsibilities in the EU
As a taxi driver, you are legally responsible to ensure that any children are safely and securely seated. This article provides an overview of your responsibilities when driving within the EU. It is recommended you visit your local government website for full details.
Austria
The use of seat belts and child seats is compulsory. However, seat belts are not compulsory for children sitting in the back of taxis.
Belgium
The use of seat belts and child seats is compulsory. However, child seats are not compulsory for children under 18 and shorter than 135 cm sitting on the back of a taxi.
Bulgaria
The use of seat belts and child seats is compulsory.
Croatia
The use of seat belts and child seats is compulsory.
Cyprus
The use of seat belts and child seats is compulsory.
Czech Republic
The use of seat belts and child seats is compulsory.
Denmark
The use of seat belts and child seats is compulsory. However, child seats are not compulsory for children under the age of 3 sitting in the back of a taxi, or children over the age of 3 in the back of a taxi if using a seat belt.
Estonia
The use of seat belts and child seats is compulsory. However, children aged over 3 travelling in a taxi are exempt.
Finland
The use of seat belts and child seats is compulsory.
France
The use of seat belts and child seats is compulsory.
Germany
The use of seat belts and child seats is compulsory.
Greece
The use of seat belts and child seats is compulsory.
Hungary
The use of seat belts and child seats is compulsory. Child seats are compulsory for children under 3. They are also compulsory for children shorter than 150cm, unless they aged are over 3, taller than 135cm and a seat belt fits them.
Ireland
The use of seat belts and child seats is compulsory. However, children under 150cm or 36kg travelling in a taxi are exempt.
Italy
The use of seat belts and child seats is compulsory.
Latvia
The use of seat belts and child seats is compulsory.
Liechtenstein
The use of seat belts and child seats is compulsory. However, child restraint systems (child seats) are not compulsory for children above the age of 14 or taller than 150cm.
Lithuania
The use of seat belts and child seats is compulsory.
Luxembourg
The use of seat belts and child seats is compulsory.
Malta
The use of seat belts and child seats is compulsory.
Netherlands
The use of seat belts and child seats is compulsory.
Norway
The use of seat belts and child seats is compulsory.
Poland
The use of seat belts and child seats is compulsory unless the passenger is visibly pregnant. Child seats are not required in taxis.
Portugal
The use of seat belts and child seats is compulsory.
Romania
The use of seat belts and child seats is compulsory except for pregnant women.
Slovakia
The use of seat belts and child seats is compulsory. However, when cars already have two child seats installed, a 3rd child, aged under 3 and shorter than 150cm, can be attached with a safety belt in the back seat. Children over 3 years in age can use the seat belts in the back seat if the vehicle has no child seat.
Slovenia
The use of seat belts and child seats is compulsory.
Spain
The use of seat belts and child seats is compulsory. However, seats are not compulsory for taxi passengers shorter than 135cm sitting on the back seat and travelling in urban areas.
Sweden
The use of seat belts and child seats is compulsory, except for children under 3 on temporary short distance travel by taxi sitting in the back seat and children over 3 and shorter than 135 cm on temporary short distance travel wearing a seat belt in the back seat.
Switzerland
The use of seat belts and child seats is compulsory. However, child restraint systems are not compulsory for children above the age of 12 and taller than 150m.
United Kingdom
The use of seat belts and child seats is compulsory. When in a taxi, children under the age of 3 must use a car seat if one is provided. Otherwise, the child may sit unrestricted in the rear of the car. If the child is over the age of 3, but under the age of 12 or under 135cm tall, they may sit in the rear seats of a licensed taxi or private hire car without a child seat, but they must be restrained with an adult seatbelt if provided.
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