In a licensed taxi or minicab, a child does not always need a child car seat, but the exemption is narrow. It applies only when the correct seat is not available, and the child must then travel on a rear seat. A child under three may go unrestrained in that situation; a child aged three or over must wear the adult seat belt. Drivers are not required to carry child seats, so the safest approach is to plan ahead rather than rely on the exemption.
What the rules actually say
The national rules are set out in the Highway Code (rule 99) and summarised on GOV.UK's child car seats: the rules page. In general, a child must use a suitable car seat until they reach 135 centimetres in height or their 12th birthday, whichever comes first. After that, the adult seat belt is enough.
Licensed taxis and private hire vehicles get a limited exception. If the right restraint is not available, the rules allow the following:
| Child | Normal rule | If no suitable seat is available in a licensed taxi or minicab |
|---|---|---|
| Under 3 years | Correct child restraint must be used in front and rear seats | May travel in the rear seat without a restraint |
| 3 years up to 135 cm (or 12th birthday) | Correct child restraint must be used | Must use the adult seat belt, on a rear seat |
| 12 years or 135 cm and over | Adult seat belt | Adult seat belt, as normal |
Two points are easy to miss. The exception depends on the seat being unavailable, so if you bring your own seat, you should use it. And the front seat is not covered by the exemption: a child under three in the front needs the correct restraint.
Why an adult belt is a compromise
The exemption exists so that a parent is not stranded when a taxi is the only practical option, such as an unplanned hospital trip. It does not mean an unrestrained baby is as safe as a baby in a proper seat. An adult belt is designed for adult proportions and sits badly on a small child, and a baby held on a lap is not secured at all. Treat the exemption as a fallback for short, unavoidable journeys, not a plan.
Taxi or private hire: does it change anything?
The seat belt exemption covers both licensed hackney carriages and licensed private hire vehicles, so the legal position for the child is the same. What differs is how you arrange things. A private hire car is pre-booked, so you can tell the operator the children's ages when you book. A taxi from a rank is hired on the spot, which leaves no time to ask. The difference between the two is explained in taxi or private hire.
The front-seat rule matters most in practice. Many people assume a child can sit up front for convenience. Even in a taxi, the exemption is for rear seats only.
Planning ahead for a journey with children
- Ask when you book. Some private hire operators can supply a seat if you request one in advance. Do not assume this; ask for the type and age range you need, and whether any charge applies.
- Bring your own seat if you can. A lightweight, belt-fitted booster or an ISOFIX-compatible seat is easier to carry than a large one. Check that it suits the child's weight and height, and that it can be fitted in the car you are travelling in.
- Allow time to fit it. Fitting a seat properly takes a couple of minutes. Tell the driver at the start so the car is not waiting at the kerb unexpectedly.
- Sit the child in the back. Whether you use a seat or the exemption, a rear seat is the correct place.
- Check the belt. If a child is using the adult belt, the lap section should lie across the pelvis, not the stomach, and the diagonal strap should cross the chest rather than the neck.
- Do not let a rear-facing baby seat go in the front without checking the airbag. The Highway Code requires any front passenger airbag to be deactivated before a rear-facing baby seat is used there.
If a booking goes wrong
If a confirmed booking is cancelled on arrival because of a dispute over a child seat, or a driver behaves unreasonably, note the plate and badge details, the time and the operator. The licensing council that issued the plate can act on conduct problems, and how to complain about a taxi driver explains what to include. Rights relating to disability and assistance dogs are a separate matter, covered in wheelchair users and assistance dogs in taxis.
Checks that still apply
Whether or not a child seat is involved, the usual safety routine applies. Check that the vehicle and driver match the booking details, and that the licence plate is displayed, as set out in how to check a taxi is licensed. Hold on to the booking confirmation, which shows who you booked with if there is a later problem.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do taxis have to provide child car seats?
No. Licensed taxis and minicabs are not required to carry child seats. If you need one, ask the operator when you book or bring your own.
Can a baby travel in a taxi without a car seat?
Under the exemption, a child under three can travel without a restraint in the rear seat of a licensed taxi or minicab if the correct seat is not available. It is a fallback, not a recommendation.
Can a child sit in the front of a taxi?
The exemption applies to rear seats. A child under three in the front seat needs the correct child restraint, and a rear-facing baby seat in the front needs the passenger airbag switched off.
What about a child aged four in a taxi with no seat?
If the right seat is not available in a licensed taxi or minicab, a child aged three or over must sit on a rear seat and use the adult seat belt.
Does the exemption cover my own car or an unlicensed driver?
No. The exemption is for licensed taxis and private hire vehicles. A friend's car, an unlicensed hire or a lift from someone else follows the normal child seat rules.