[bsa_pro_ad_space id=14]
No matter where they sit, all kids under four must be in an approved child restraint, while those aged between four and seven should be seated in an approved forward-facing child restraint or a properly positioned and approved booster seat. Kids over seven? They can sit in a regular passenger seat, with seat belt firmly fastened.
As a general rule, your child will need to be at least seven to sit in the front without a booster. Only have one row of seats? VicRoads guidelines state that if your vehicle doesn’t have a back seat, such as a van or ute, a child can travel up front only if they are in a child restraint. Note that rear facing options can’t be used in the front seat if it has a passenger airbag.
As stated in Rule 266 of the Road Rules 2014 for NSW, driving with children less than four years old in the front row of a vehicle that has two or more rows of seats attracts a penalty of $352 and three demerit points. However, if your vehicle has just one row of seats, a child can occupy a spot up front but must be strapped into an approved and properly fitted child car seat for their age and size.
Indeed, the Queensland Government website states that if your car has more than one row of seats, kids under four must be in the back, in an approved child seat. Little ones aged four to seven can only sit in the front seat if all other seats are occupied by kids under seven, while older children can sit in the front seat.
[bsa_pro_ad_space id=15]