Car seat Laws in France?

squibbs25

Hi Everyone,

We're due to go to France in a few weeks time, and will need to hire a car from the airport, My dd (4) will obviously have to have a booster seat (got one over there already ), but what about ds aged 9 ? Because of new laws here, he has to use one. Does anyone know if he would have to use one in France?

TIA

Squibbs x

curtlyb

I've a feeling that it could be EU an law but if it was me then i wouldn't be even thinking about the law, i'd take a booster for both of them with their safety in mind full stop, the scenario i'd use is that if the French let kids sit in the front seat without a seatbelt, would you do it ?
We've just bought a couple of these for a trip to Canada, reasonable, portable and the kids love the drinks holders as well.
Have a great trip ....... and watch out for the mad French drivers

BernadetteN

Here is advice from a French government website. It say 0-10 years must be restrained in an appropriate car seat or on a booster seat, unless they are tall enough to use just a seatbelt. It also say 0-10 years are also forbidden to sit in the front seat of a car unless there are no seatbelts in the back of the car (which would be a very rare car these days in the EU at least) or if the vehicle has no rear seats.

https://www.securiteroutiere.equipement.gouv.fr/IMG/pdf/dpl._si_ge_enfant-2.pdf

I would personally take or buy a booster seat for the 9 year old, unless he is over 138cm tall / over 38kg. Halfords have booster seats for less than £10 (light enough for a 9 year old to carry as carry-on luggage).