child car seat regulations in france for my 9 year old

[KC]

Hi - we are due to come on holiday on sunday and are hiring a car. My 9 year old is 141 cm tall. Will I need to bring a booster seat for her as she is under 10 years old - even though she is over the 135 cm requirement here in the UK?

Thanks to all in advance!

[amos]

As far as I am aware the regs in France are exactly the same as those in the Uk as they are EU regs and not national ones.

[Jimmy]

France: Children under 10 years of age are not allowed

to travel in the front seat of a car unless they are a baby, that is 9

months old or under and weigh less than 9kg, but they must be in an

appropriate baby seat (rear facing) unless there is an airbag fitted,

when they are not allowed on the front seat at all. In the rear seats

all children under 10 must be in the right restraint, if their weight is

between 9 and 15kg a child seat and over 15 kg's a booster type seat.

You can hire a seat from car hire firms but they are expensive and it is probably cheaper to bring your own.

[Mme poivre]

Hi Jimmy

Where did you find that from because if its it the case then my 11 year old can legally sit in the front of our car so would like to check it.

thanks

Judith

[Weegie]

Aged 11 can sit in the front:

http://vosdroits.service-public.fr/particuliers/F19459.xhtml

which links to:

http://vosdroits.service-public.fr/particuliers/F628.xhtml

Also lists exceptions for under 10 if there is no rear seat but seat belt and child/booster seat requirements still have to be met.