Can Children Sit in the Front Passenger Seat?

[BlakelyDella]

Children under the age of 14 or shorter than 1.2 meters are not allowed to sit in the front passenger seat. Although minors aged 14 and above can sit in the front passenger seat, it is recommended to use a child safety seat for added safety. However, there is no explicit legal regulation on this matter, so being caught by traffic police would result in a warning penalty. The requirements for children in vehicles are: 1. Parents holding children should not sit in the front passenger seat with the child; 2. Children should not lean any part of their body out of the car window; 3. Do not leave children unattended in the car; 4. For younger children sitting in the back seat, please use a child safety seat.

[Nigel]

Sitting in the front passenger seat is generally unsafe for children. With over 20 years of driving experience, I fully understand the astonishing force with which airbags deploy during a crash. Designed specifically for adults, they can cause severe trauma to a child's fragile body, such as neck or facial injuries. The ideal practice is to have children sit in the back using a child safety seat, especially for those under 13 years old, as it provides additional protection and reduces impact. When chatting with friends, I always remind them to check the vehicle manual and local regulations—most places require children to reach a height of 1.5 meters or meet weight requirements before sitting in the front, otherwise the risk is too high. Safety first—don’t cut corners for convenience. A single moment of negligence could lead to lifelong regret.

[LaXavier]

As a parent, I'm very concerned about this. The law stipulates that children cannot casually sit in the front passenger seat. In many regions such as the UK or China, if a child is under 12 years old or not tall enough, sitting in the front seat can result in traffic violations, fines, or even penalty points. Once the airbag deploys, the impact force is too strong and poses significant risks to children. I always place my child in the back seat when going out and secure them with a booster seat for peace of mind. This habit helps prevent the child from hitting the front window during sudden braking, especially on crowded city roads where accidents can happen anytime. When discussing this with neighbors, they often mention that the back seat is quieter, allowing the child to sit properly, and forming good habits starts from an early age.

[MatteoMarie]

Having driven for decades, the most unforgettable memory is witnessing an accident in my youth where a child sitting in the front passenger seat had the airbag deploy, resulting in fractured ribs. Since then, I've advised never letting children sit there. Airbags deploy at speeds exceeding 300 km per second, rendering seatbelts potentially ineffective. The rear seats offer more space, and specialized car seats can absorb impact—especially infant seats or child boosters—which are far more reliable when installed correctly. A simple rule: if they're not tall enough or under 10 years old, keep them out of the front seat. Safety outweighs convenience by a million times.