What are the penalties for minors sitting in the front passenger seat?
2 Answers
For minors under the age of 12 sitting in the front passenger seat, a warning will be issued and correction will be required, with no points deducted or fines imposed. In the event of a collision, children not wearing seat belts are prone to being ejected, and even with seat belts, there is still a risk of injury or ejection. Place children in the rear safety seat and secure them with seat belts. It is best to have an adult accompany children when they are seated in the rear.
As a new parent, I remember taking my 7-year-old daughter out for a ride once when she insisted on sitting in the front seat to experience it. I didn’t think much of it at the time, but halfway through, we were stopped by traffic police and fined 200 yuan with penalty points. That’s when I learned children under 12 aren’t allowed in the front seat—mainly because airbags, designed for adults, can deploy with such force that they risk injuring young kids. After that lesson, I bought a child safety seat and secured it in the back row, which feels much safer. To all fellow parents: never cut corners for convenience. A child’s safety is more important than anything—fines are minor, but an accident would bring irreversible regret. Teach kids traffic rules early and instill good habits—it’s the best long-term solution.
