How Old Must a Child Be to Sit in the Front Seat of a Car?

[George]

The 2021 traffic regulations do not specify any age restrictions for passengers in the front passenger seat of a car. However, most cities currently require children to be at least 12 years old or taller than 1.4 meters to sit in the front passenger seat. Here are the regulations for front seat passengers: 1. Holding a child is not allowed: Parents holding children are not permitted to sit in the front passenger seat, nor can child safety seats be installed there; 2. Seat belts must be fastened: If seat belts are not properly fastened while driving on highways or urban expressways, a fine of 20 yuan may be imposed if caught by electronic surveillance or on-site enforcement, and the violation must be corrected.

[HopeRose]

Be cautious about letting children sit in the front seat. I have two kids at home and have checked the regulations—in China, children under 12 years old are not allowed to sit in the front passenger seat. Airbags are designed based on adult standards, and in case of an accident, the force of the airbag deploying could fracture a child's skull. Additionally, the seatbelt positioning is problematic for children; due to their shorter height, a standard seatbelt would press against their neck instead of their shoulder. On the day my eldest son turned 12, I made sure he was at least 150 cm tall before allowing him to sit in the front. In fact, many countries have stricter regulations, such as the U.S., which requires children to be over 13 years old. The safest spot is actually the middle seat in the back row, as it’s the farthest from any potential impact points. Whenever we go out, I always have my kids sit in child safety seats in the back—safety comes first.

[OJoanna]

As new parents, we've researched this issue thoroughly. Legally, 12 years old is the red line, but height and weight also matter. When my child was three, I once caught them sneaking into the front seat, which scared me so much I immediately pulled over. Children's bones aren't fully developed, and in a crash, the impact directly affects their spine. Plus, the spacious front seat makes it easy for kids to move around and play with controls, distracting the driver. I recommend parents do three things: First, install an ISOFIX-compatible car seat in the back; second, teach older kids to properly fasten seat belts with the shoulder strap crossing the collarbone; third, never compromise just because a child cries. I've seen an 8-year-old relative hit their forehead on the dashboard during sudden braking, leaving a permanent scar.

[VanParker]

Children must be at least 12 years old to sit in the front seat of a car, as required by law. I didn't sit in the front passenger seat until my 12th birthday. Before that, I could only sit in the back, and my dad even bought a booster seat to ensure the seatbelt wouldn't choke my neck. Did you know that airbags deploy at a speed of 300 kilometers per hour? For a child, it's like being punched. The middle seat in the back is the safest because it's farthest from the doors. If a child under 12 insists on sitting in the front, the police will issue a fine. One of my classmates was fined 200 yuan by his dad for sitting in the front before reaching the required age. Always remind your parents that safety comes first.