UK law states that the driver of a car is responsible for the correct restraint of all occupants under the age of 14 years. Until a child is either 1.35m in height, or 12 years old (whichever happens first) they must use the appropriate child restraint. Fines (for the driver) are as high as £500 for non-compliance and what's more, this could affect claims against your UK car insurance policy. Here's what you need to know.

Regardless of the age of the child (up to 12 years old or 1.35m in height), a suitable child seat must be used when using the front passenger seat. Note that it is illegal to use a rear-facing baby seat in the front passenger seat if the passenger airbag is active.

The only time a child of under three years old may travel unrestrained in the rear of a car is if there is no suitable restraint available and the car is a licensed taxi or hire car.

For children between three and twelve (or over 1.35m high), there are two further exceptions, in that children may travel unrestrained in the rear of a car if there are two child restraints already fitted and no room for a third; or the journey is a short one and it is of 'unexpected necessity'.

There are hundreds of child seats to choose from, so here are a few tips to ease the process:

1 - Start with your child's height and weight. Those figures determine what type and which model seat you'll need.

2 - In general, babies should be in rear-facing seats until they are about 9kg in weight and can sit up for themselves. There are larger rear-facing seats available and there's no hurry to get the child onto the next stage so long as they fit the seat correctly.

3 - Consider how your use your seat. Will you be taking it in and out of a car (or several cars) regularly? If so, go for a lighter option. Some seats have reclining features and others swivel to allow easier placing of the child into the seat through a car door.

4 - ISOFIX is probably the easiest way to attach a car seat securely - certainly for the uninitiated. However, not all cars have ISOFIX points and they do make for a heavier seat.

5 - Only buy online if you're 100 per cent certain that the seat you're ordering is suitable and it fits your car.

6 - Try to find a retailer that will let you physically fit seats to your car so you know they fit and are suitable for your needs.

15 Oct 2012