At What Height Does a Child Count as a Seat in a Private Car?

[LeviDella]

Children over 1.2 meters in height count as a seat. Children under 12 years of age are not allowed to sit in the front passenger seat when traveling in a car and must sit in the rear seats. Children under 4 years of age must use a safety seat when riding in a car, and children under 7 years of age can use a three-point seat belt in conjunction with a child seat. More relevant information is as follows: Note 1: Children are naturally active, and the car's center console, gear lever, and handbrake may all be objects that children play with, which undoubtedly increases the risk factor of driving. If a child sits alone in the front passenger seat, they may collide forward like a bullet during an emergency brake, leading to severe injury or death. Note 2: Allowing a child to stick their head out of the sunroof while the vehicle is in motion can risk injury to the child's neck and ribs if the vehicle brakes suddenly. Additionally, many vehicles have an automatic window and sunroof closing function after the engine is turned off. If the child does not retract their head in time, the closing sunroof may trap their head. Note 3: Do not let children get in and out of the car by themselves. Note 4: Do not place too many decorations or toys in the car.

[LeEllie]

I remember my child started occupying a seat right from birth. The law requires children from birth to 4 years old to use a child safety seat, otherwise, you'll be fined. So, I always check if the child's seat is properly installed before driving. Children aged 4 to 12 can use adult seat belts, but they still have to sit in the back seat and cannot sit in the front passenger seat because if the brakes are applied suddenly, the child could easily get injured. My little one is now 6 years old, and when we travel by car, we always have him sit in the middle of the back seat, feeling it's safer. Before every trip, I also remind my wife not to let the child eat or drink in the car to prevent choking. Overall, as long as the child is breathing, they need to occupy a seat count. Don't try to save trouble by squeezing together, as that's extremely dangerous in case of an accident. I've even read reports saying that sitting in the correct position can reduce accidents by 70%.

[SanAubrey]

I've been driving for over 20 years and have transported many children. Simply put, from birth to adulthood, each child counts as a seat. Traffic regulations are clear: children under 4 must be secured in a child safety seat in the back row; ages 4 to 12 don't require a seat but must wear seat belts in the back; after 12, they follow adult rules. I often drive my grandson to kindergarten—his dedicated seat stays properly installed in the back for safety. Never cut corners by letting kids sit in front or holding them; the risks are too high. Vehicles have strict seating limits—for example, a 5-seater can carry only 4 adults plus one child in a seat. Overloading is illegal. Safety first—I recommend choosing cars with ISOFIX anchors for easier seat installation.

[LilyLynn]

I often take my kids out for fun. As I understand it, children occupy a seat from the moment they are born. The law states that children under 4 years old must use a safety seat, which is fixed in the car. Starting from age 4, they don't need a seat but still have to wear a seatbelt in the back row, like a 6-year-old child. By age 12, they can freely sit in the front. When designing vehicles, the number of seats includes spaces for children, such as SUVs where the back row can fit three safety seats. When choosing a seat, make sure it's appropriate for the child's age—don't randomly buy one that's a size too big. For safety, I regularly check if the screws on my child's seat are loose and drive steadily on the road.