The first key is to always use a child restraint system suited to the child’s height and weight. Children who are 135 centimetres tall or shorter must use one by law and, whenever possible, the DGT recommends keeping them in these devices until they reach 150 centimetres, when the seat belt begins to fit the body better.
It is not enough to install the child seat in just any way. In cars with up to nine seats, these children must normally travel in the rear seats, except in cases provided for by law. If they exceptionally sit in the front in a rear-facing seat and there is a front airbag, it must be deactivated to prevent its deployment from causing injuries.
REAR-FACING AND PROPERLY ANCHORED
During the first few months, the position of the seat is especially important. The guide recommends that young children travel rear-facing for as long as possible and, at a minimum, until they are 15 months old. In a collision, this distributes the forces more effectively across the body and provides particular protection for the head, neck and spine, which are much more vulnerable at these ages.
Even a good child seat is of little use if it is installed incorrectly. The DGT advises checking that it is firmly secured, that the harness fits the body without slack and that the manufacturer’s instructions are followed precisely. Among the systems available is Isofix, designed to simplify installation and reduce errors that can occur when securing the device with the seat belt.
The seat should also be checked as the child grows. If, when using the seat belt, the upper strap passes too close to the neck or under the chin, it is still advisable to use a booster seat or an adapted system. The belt should pass over the shoulder and chest, while the lower section must sit low across the hips, avoiding direct contact with the abdomen.
€200 FINE AND FOUR PENALTY POINTS FOR USING A CHILD SEAT INCORRECTLY
Breaking these rules not only increases the risk to the child. Failing to use a child restraint system when required, or using it incorrectly, is considered a serious offence. The current penalty is €200 and four points on the driving licence, as the DGT itself recalls in its 2026 seat belt and child seat enforcement campaign.
The regulations also provide for penalties for transporting children in places where it is not permitted, including certain situations involving mopeds and motorcycles or the vehicle’s seats. Beyond the fine, responsibility for using child restraint systems falls on the driver, so checking that the child seat is correctly installed should be part of the routine before setting off.
The consequences can go beyond €200. Officers are authorised to immobilise the vehicle if a child who is required to use a child restraint system is travelling without one. The measure may be applied both on urban and interurban journeys and remains in force until the reason that led to it has been resolved.
