Can children under 12 travel in the front seats of a car?

Correct answer

Yes, if they use a suitable restraint system or the seat belt, provided that they are at least 135 centimetres tall.

Under the current DGT regulations, the following applies to children in front seats: General rule: children must use the rear seats with an approved child restraint system until they are 135 cm tall. Authorisation to use the front seat: they may travel in the front seat if they are over 135 cm tall, even if they are under 12, and must always wear the seat belt correctly fastened. It is recommended that children under 150 cm use a child restraint system or a booster seat. Exceptions allowing children under 12 who are under 135 cm tall to use the front seat: only when the vehicle has no rear seats, the rear seats are occupied by other children using child restraint systems, or it is not possible to install all the child restraint systems in the rear. Recommendation: continue using a child restraint system up to 150 cm for greater protection.