In the UK, the laws regarding car seats in minicabs and taxis (hackney carriages) have certain exemptions compared to private vehicles. Here’s how it works:

Car Seats in Minicabs and Taxis:

Children Under 3 Years Old:

• Taxis (Hackney Carriages): Children under 3 years old can legally travel without a car seat, but they must sit in the back seat.
• Minicabs (Private Hire Vehicles): The same rules apply—children under 3 years old can travel without a car seat but must sit in the rear of the vehicle.

Children Aged 3 to 12 (or Under 135 cm Tall):

• Taxis: Children aged 3 or older can travel without a car seat but must wear an adult seatbelt if available. They can sit in the front or rear of the vehicle, though it’s safer for them to be in the back.
• Minicabs: Similarly, children aged 3 and older can travel without a car seat but must use an adult seatbelt. Again, sitting in the rear is recommended for safety.

Children Over 12 Years Old or Taller than 135 cm:

• Once a child is over 12 years old or 135 cm tall, they must wear a seatbelt like an adult in both taxis and minicabs.

Recommendations for Parents:

• It’s always safer to use an appropriate car seat for your child, even in taxis or minicabs, if possible.
• Some taxi or private hire services allow you to request a car seat in advance, particularly when booking minicabs.
• For frequent journeys, it may be worthwhile to carry a portable child car seat or booster seat, such as a foldable booster cushion.

Legal and Safety Considerations:

• These exemptions are intended for occasional, short journeys where a car seat may not be practical.
• If a car seat is available, it’s always best to use it, even if the law doesn’t require it for a specific journey.

For longer trips or pre-booked journeys in minicabs, it’s often recommended to arrange for a car seat in advance to ensure the child's safety.

When it comes to transportation in cities, Hackney licensed taxis (commonly known as black cabs) and private hire minicabs offer distinct services, each with its own advantages. While both provide convenient ways to get around, there are important differences in how they operate, their legal regulations, and the experience they offer to passengers.

Mason & Green can provide child seats if requested in advance, but it’s important to clarify which types they offer (e.g., rear-facing cradle, forward-facing, or booster seats) and any age or size limitations they might follow.

For your next booking, you can specify if you need a child seat and confirm the type of seat suitable for the child’s age and weight to ensure a safe and comfortable journey.

Read about the types of child seats and the legal requirements in your own privately owned vehicles.

For children up to 12 months old, UK law requires the use of rear-facing child car seats. These seats offer better protection for a baby’s head, neck, and spine in the event of a collision. Here's an overview of the types of seats and guidelines for this age group:

Rear-Facing Car Seats for Babies (Up to 12 Months):

Group 0 and Group 0+ Seats:

• Group 0: Suitable for babies from birth up to 10 kg (approximately 6 to 9 months old).
• Group 0+: Suitable for babies from birth up to 13 kg (approximately 12 to 15 months old).
• These are always rear-facing and can be secured using a standard seatbelt or an ISOFIX base.

Infant Carrier Car Seats:

• Common for babies up to 12 months, these seats are portable and can often be clipped onto a pram or stroller frame.
• These carriers should always be rear-facing, and the baby should lie in a semi-reclined position to support their head and neck.

ISOFIX-Compatible Seats:

• ISOFIX is a system that allows car seats to be attached directly to the car’s chassis without the need for seatbelts, providing extra stability.
• Many Group 0+ seats come with ISOFIX compatibility, but the car must also be equipped with ISOFIX points.

Guidelines for Rear-Facing Seats:

• Babies must stay in a rear-facing seat until they are at least 15 months old, although it’s recommended to keep them rear-facing as long as possible for maximum safety.
• Make sure that the car seat is properly secured and that the baby’s head is fully supported and does not extend over the top of the seat.

Placement in the Car:

• The safest place for a baby seat is the rear seat of the car.
• If placed in the front passenger seat, it’s crucial to deactivate the airbag, as an active airbag can be dangerous for a rear-facing seat.

These car seats should also be tested and approved under the R44/04 or R129 (i-Size) safety regulations.

For children aged 15 months and older, the UK law requires them to use an appropriate forward-facing or rear-facing car seat depending on their size and weight. Here’s a breakdown of the different types of car seats for this age group:

Car Seats for Children 15 Months and Older:

Group 1 Car Seats (9 kg to 18 kg):

• Designed for children approximately 9 months to 4 years old (or 9-18 kg).
• These can be either rear-facing (extended rear-facing for extra safety) or forward-facing. Rear-facing seats are considered safer and recommended for as long as possible.
• These seats usually have a 5-point harness to keep the child securely in place.

Group 1/2/3 Combination Seats (9 kg to 36 kg):

• Suitable for children from 9 months up to 12 years (or 9-36 kg).
• These are adjustable seats that can transition from a forward-facing harness seat to a high-back booster seat as the child grows.
• They offer long-term use and adaptability as they convert through different stages.

Group 2/3 High-Back Booster Seats (15 kg to 36 kg):

• For children from around 3.5 years to 12 years (or 15-36 kg).
• These are forward-facing seats that elevate the child to ensure the adult seatbelt fits properly across their body.
• The high-back booster provides side impact protection and guides the seatbelt to sit correctly over the child's shoulder and pelvis.

Rear-Facing Option:

• Extended Rear-Facing Seats: Some seats are designed to remain rear-facing beyond 15 months (up to around 4 years old). These offer enhanced safety for the child’s head, neck, and spine in the event of a collision and are highly recommended for as long as possible.

ISOFIX-Compatible Seats:

• ISOFIX is a secure and easy-to-install system for child car seats, and many Group 1 and Group 1/2/3 seats are compatible with ISOFIX connectors, providing additional stability.

Guidelines for Forward-Facing Seats:

• 5-Point Harness: Most forward-facing seats use a 5-point harness to distribute forces in a crash and protect the child’s body.
• Positioning: Forward-facing car seats are usually installed in the rear seat of the car, which is the safest place.
• Height and Weight Considerations: Always choose the seat based on the child’s current height and weight rather than their age alone to ensure a proper fit.

Legal and Safety Requirements:

• Children must use a car seat until they are 135 cm tall or 12 years old, whichever comes first.
• Once they outgrow their harness seat, they can transition to a booster seat that helps position the seatbelt correctly across their body.

It’s important to regularly check the car seat’s fit and installation as the child grows, ensuring the seat provides the correct level of protection at all times.

Booster seats are designed for older children who have outgrown their forward-facing car seats but still need help to ensure the vehicle's seatbelt fits properly. Here’s a guide to using booster seats in the UK:

Types of Booster Seats:

High-Back Booster Seats:

• Suitable for children from around 15 kg to 36 kg (approximately 4 to 12 years old).
• These seats have a high back and sometimes side wings to provide side impact protection and head support.
• The seat raises the child so that the car’s seatbelt fits across their chest and lap properly, avoiding injury in case of an accident.

Backless Booster Seats:

• Also known as booster cushions, these are suitable for children who are at least 22 kg and 125 cm tall.
• These seats don’t provide side or head support and simply raise the child to the correct height for the seatbelt to fit.
• However, backless boosters are generally considered less safe than high-back boosters, especially in the event of a side-impact collision.

UK Legal Requirements for Booster Seats:

• Children must use a car seat (including booster seats) until they are either 135 cm tall or 12 years old, whichever comes first.
• After reaching this height or age, children must use an adult seatbelt.

Seatbelt Fit:

Booster seats are designed to ensure the seatbelt fits properly:

• Shoulder Belt: The belt should lie across the middle of the chest and shoulder, not the neck.
• Lap Belt: The belt should fit low across the hips and upper thighs, not across the stomach.

Placement in the Vehicle:

• Rear Seat: The safest place for a booster seat is the back seat of the car.
• If using a booster seat in the front passenger seat, you must ensure the airbag is deactivated, particularly for younger children.

ISOFIX-Compatible Boosters:

• Some booster seats can be secured using ISOFIX connectors for added stability, although the seatbelt will still be the primary restraint for the child.

Safety Recommendations:

• High-back boosters are recommended over backless boosters due to the extra protection they offer, particularly in side-impact collisions.
• Always ensure the booster seat is installed and positioned according to the manufacturer’s instructions for optimal safety.

Booster seats are essential in ensuring that the adult seatbelt fits correctly and provides adequate protection for older children in the car.