Child safety in the car
Rear-facing seats, seat groups, booster seats, deactivated airbag: everything for transporting children safely.
Updated 13 June 2026
Why special attention?
Two out of three children are poorly restrained in cars. At just 20 km/h, a poorly secured child thrown against part of the cabin can die. The adult seatbelt is not suitable for children: too high, it can injure the neck or slip under the armpit. This is why specific devices are compulsory.
The basic rule: rear seat compulsory until age 10
Children under 10 must be seated in the rear of the vehicle in an approved restraint device suited to their size. A child seat or booster is compulsory until age 10 (or until the child's build is suited to an adult seatbelt, generally above 1.50 m).
Under 10: rear seat compulsory + suitable restraint device.
Exceptions: when a child can sit in the front
A child under 10 may exceptionally be seated at the front in four cases: if in a rear-facing seat (with the passenger airbag deactivated), if all rear seats are already occupied by children under 10, if the vehicle has no rear seats, or if the rear seats have no seatbelts.
Rear-facing: until at least 15 months
The R129 standard (i-Size), compulsory for seats sold since September 2024, requires the rear-facing position until at least 15 months. This position protects the infant's fragile neck vertebrae in a frontal collision. The rear-facing seat can be fitted at the front or rear.
If a rear-facing seat is fitted at the front, the passenger airbag must be deactivated (OFF position). An airbag that deploys can seriously injure the child.
Seat groups
Group 0 (birth to 10 kg / up to 70 cm): carry cot or rear-facing seat. The infant cannot be placed facing the road.
Group 0+ (birth to 13 kg / up to 80 cm): larger version of the rear-facing seat, semi-reclined position.
Group 1 (9 to 18 kg / up to 1 metre): bucket seat with harness or seat with impact shield. The child can now be placed facing the road.
Groups 2 and 3 (15 to 36 kg / up to 1.50 m): booster seat with seatbelt. The child remains in it until age 10 or until their build is suited to an adult seatbelt.
The Isofix system
Since 2013, vehicles have been fitted with the Isofix system, standardised anchor points for securing child seats. This system reduces installation errors and ensures better stability in a collision. Check the seat's compatibility with your vehicle.
Essential precautions
Activate the child lock on the rear doors: the doors can no longer be opened from the inside. Never leave a child alone in a car, whatever the season (risk of heatstroke in summer, hypothermia in winter). Even if a child cries or wants to leave their seat, never unbuckle them whilst driving.
Fine of 135 euros per child poorly or not buckled in, charged to the driver.
Recap
- Children under 10: rear seat + suitable restraint device compulsory.
- Rear-facing until at least 15 months (R129 standard).
- Passenger airbag deactivated (OFF) if a rear-facing seat is at the front.
- Groups: 0 and 0+ (rear-facing), 1 (bucket seat forward-facing), 2-3 (booster).
- Isofix: standardised anchor points since 2013, reducing installation errors.
- Child lock on doors: prevents opening from the inside.
- Never leave a child alone in a vehicle, whatever the season.
- 135 euro fine per child not or poorly buckled in, charged to the driver.
Test yourself
Until what minimum age is the rear-facing position compulsory under the R129 standard?
- ○6 months
- ○12 months
- ✓15 months
- ○24 months
Correct answer : 15 months
When must the passenger airbag be deactivated?
- ✓When a rear-facing seat is fitted at the front
- ○When a short adult is seated at the front
- ○When the passenger seat is empty
- ○When a child over 10 is at the front
Correct answer : When a rear-facing seat is fitted at the front
Sources: Sécurité routière (securite-routiere.gouv.fr) and service-public.fr.