Seatbelt Legislation

Seatbelts and Child Car Seats

Here you will find the details of the legal position regarding the requirements for the wearing of seatbelts and child restraints in Public Passenger Vehicles (PPV’s) following the introduction of new legislation on 1st July 2007.

The Department of Infrastructure has issued a guide for the wearing of seatbelts and the use of child restraints in ordinary vehicles and PPV's.

Seatbelt Requirements for Taxis & Private Hire Cars

	Front Seat	Rear Seat	Responsibility
Child under the age of 3 years in a taxi or Private Hire car	Correct child restraint must be worn (a rear facing child restraint must not be used in a seat protected by a frontal airbag unless the airbag has been deactivated)	No seatbelt or child restraint need be worn (it is generally the responsibility of the parent or passenger with the child to ensure the child's safety)	Driver
Child of 3 years or more in a taxi or Private Hire car	Correct child restraint must be worn	Either a correct child restraint or an adult belt must be worn	Driver
Adult passengers in a taxi or Private Hire car	Seatbelt must be worn	Seatbelt must be worn	Passenger

For further clarification please contact the RTLC Office, or the Department of Infrastructure, Highways Division.

Seatbelt Requirements for Buses, Coaches and Minibuses

	Front Seat	Rear Seat	Responsibility
Driver	Seatbelt must be worn if fitted		Driver
Adult passenger, i.e. 14 years or over	Seatbelt must be worn if an available seat in the front or rear is fitted with a seatbelt	Seatbelt must be worn if an available seat in the front or rear is fitted with a seatbelt	Passenger
Child under 4 years	Correct child restraint must be worn in coaches, goods vehicles and minibuses (a rear facing child restraint must not be used in a seat protected by a frontal airbag unless the airbag has been deactivated)	Correct child restraint must be worn in minibuses (a rear facing child restraint must not be used in a seat protected by a frontal airbag unless the airbag has been deactivated)	Driver
Child from 4th birthday who is under the age of 12 years and under a height of 1.35 meters (4 ft 5 ins)	Correct child restraint must be worn in coaches and minibuses	Correct child restraint or adult belt must be worn in minibuses	Driver
Child at or over 1.35 meters (4 ft 5 ins) or 12 or 13 years	Correct child restraint or adult belt must be worn in coaches and minibuses	Correct child restrain or adult belt	Driver

For further clarification please contact the RTLC Office, or the Department of Infrastructure, Highways Division.