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Baby and child car seats: which children must use one, and may a child sit in the front?

In short

A child under 18 who is shorter than 135 cm must sit in a suitable child car seat. Children may sit in the front, but if a rear-facing baby seat is fitted in the front, the front airbag must be switched off.

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This rule in 65 seconds
Video transcript

A short trip. You're thinking of holding your baby on your lap in the front seat. Required: A child under 135 cm must sit in a child seat that suits them. Carrying a child on your lap is not allowed. The right way: The front is fine too; but if a rear-facing baby seat is in the front, switch off the front airbag. The seat should carry an R129 or R44 label. Fine (3rd degree): On-the-spot fine: 191 € + 10,67 €; In court: 300 € – 5.000 €; Possible driving ban: 8 days – 5 years.

What is not allowed, what is required?

  • A child under 18 who is shorter than 135 cm must travel in a suitable child restraint: a baby seat, child seat or booster seat.
  • The seat must suit the child's height and weight and be fitted correctly. Check the orange approval label on the seat: it must say R129 (i-Size) or R44/03 or R44/04.
  • Carrying a child on your lap is forbidden. For a child under 3, there are no exceptions in an ordinary car: a child seat is required on every journey.
  • There is no age limit for the front seat: a child may also sit in the front in a suitable child seat.
  • If you put a rear-facing baby seat on the front passenger seat, the front airbag must be switched off. Doing so with the airbag on is forbidden.
  • Third child: if two child seats are fitted and in use in the back and there is no room for a third, a third child aged 3 or over may sit in the back using a seat belt.
  • Occasional short journeys: if there are not enough child seats, a child aged 3 or over may sit in the back using a seat belt. This exception does not apply if one of the child's parents is driving.
  • The third-child and occasional short journey exceptions only apply in vehicles with no more than 8 passenger seats and in vans of up to 3,5 tonnes. Even then, the child must sit in the back, never in the front.
  • In taxis, buses and vehicles with more than 8 passenger seats, a child seat is not compulsory. If the taxi has no child seat, a child shorter than 135 cm may not sit in the front.
  • No child under 3 may travel on a seat without a seat belt (for example in very old cars). No child shorter than 135 cm may sit on a front seat without a seat belt.
  • For a serious medical reason, you can obtain an exemption from the minister responsible for road safety. You must show the exemption if the police ask for it.

Penalty and indirect consequences

PENALTY NOTICETraffic offence, degree 3
Fine / payment
On-the-spot fine 191 € (+10,67 € administrative costs)

Legal basis:KB 30.9.2005, art. 3, 20°/1 (wegcode.be, 26.10.2026)KB 19.4.2014, art. 2, 1° (wegcode.be, 26.10.2026)

Court / prison
No prison sentence. At the police court, a fine of 300 € – 5.000 € (surcharge multiplier included).

Legal basis:Wegverkeerswet 16.3.1968, art. 29 §1 lid 2 (wegcode.be, 26.10.2026) + wegcode.be Overtr…

What does this level mean? Traffic offence, degree 3: On-the-spot payment €191; in court €300 – €5,000; the court may suspend the licence for 8 days – 5 years. All penalty levels →

What really matters: the indirect consequences

What do these terms mean?

On-the-spot payment
A fixed amount offered by the police. If you pay, the case is closed and does not go to court. If not, the prosecutor takes over; the amount can rise and the case can go to court.
Police court
The court for traffic offences and appeals against GAS fines. Despite the name, it is not part of the police; an independent judge decides.

All terms: glossary →

Why does this rule exist?

An adult seat belt does not fit a small child's body. In an accident, a child seat holds the child in place. A front airbag inflating right next to a rear-facing baby seat can seriously injure the baby.

Where can you go?

  • Municipal driving licence serviceExchanging a foreign driving licence and other licence matters
  • Free first-line legal adviceIf you have been summoned to the police court (juridische eerstelijnsbijstand / aide juridique de première ligne)
  • Social interpreterAt the municipality, the OCMW/CPAS, school and hospital, you can ask for an interpreter in your language; it is often free.

This site does not handle individual cases; it points you to the right service. All help addresses

Source and reliability

Official source
Source check
19 / 21 statements in an official source
Checked: 26.10.2026
Last checked
26.10.2026
Rules can change
Show the 21 checked statementsopen

The checked statements are in Turkish, as in the source text. This check does not replace legal advice.

General information, not legal advice. For your own situation, ask a lawyer or free legal aid. How was this information prepared?

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