General information, not an individual diagnosis. Ask a healthcare professional if you are unsure about your situation.
In France, a child under ten must generally travel in the rear, secured in an approved restraint suited to their body size and weight. Prepare their place with these three criteria in mind.
The restraint must carry an approval mark certifying compliance with European standards. Also read its installation and use instructions and check the conditions intended for your child and vehicle. In its car-seat investigation published in 2021, DGCCRF found missing or inadequate markings or instructions: this information deserves careful checking.
A child restraint is not mandatory if the child’s body size allows them to use the seat belt, if they have a medical exemption certificate issued by an approved doctor, or if they travel in a taxi or public transport. The certificate must state its validity period.
To place a child under ten in the front facing rearwards, the approved restraint must be intended for that use and the front airbag must be disabled. Both conditions form part of this exception to rear seating.
Other exceptions permit front seating: no rear seat or no rear seat belt, rear seats temporarily unusable, or all rear places occupied by children under ten. In the last two cases, every child must be secured in an appropriate approved restraint.
From age ten, the general rule is to wear the seat belt if the seat has one, in the front or rear; exemptions exist. Each seat equipped with a seat belt holds only one child.
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