Child Restraints
As the driver, you must make sure that any child under five years of age is properly restrained by an approved child restraint that is appropriate for the age and size of the child. Babies and children can not travel in the motorhome if you can't put them in an approved child restraint. The vehicle's safety belt on its own is not an approved child restraint.
If the child is aged five to seven years you must use an approved child restraint if there's one available and if it's appropriate for the child's age and size. Otherwise they must use a safety belt if one is available. If there are no child restraints or safety belts available, they must travel in the back seat.
Children aged 8 to 14 years must use a safety belt if one is available. Otherwise, they must travel in a back seat.
Note: A child under 15 years old may sit beside the driver only if the child is restrained by a child restraint or safety belt (whichever is appropriate for their age and size). However, they are always safer in a back seat than in the front.
Common types of child/baby seats:
- Baby capsules (rear facing): birth to at least one year of age (-13kg)
- Child seat (forward facing): about one year to approximately four years of age (9–18kg)
- Booster seat: from approximately four to 10 years of age (18–36kg)
As a general rule, if your child's head is higher than the back of the child restraint when seated, it's time to move them into the next type of child restraint.
Children should be seated in the rear of a vehicle if possible, as it is safer. This is true regardless of the child's age, size or type of child restraint used.
Motorhome companies supply baby/child/booster seats for a small additional charge. Some motorhomes will not accommodate certain child seat types, please check on the motorhome page to check this, especially if you are bringing your own child seat.