Booster Seat Regulations: Essential Guidelines for Your Rental Car

Thinking about renting a car for your family vacation? Depending on the age of your children, you might need to use child safety seats. Rental car laws regarding car seats differ from country to country, so it's crucial to understand the booster seat regulations at your destination. Here’s what you should know.

What are the booster seat regulations in the US?

If you have young children and a vehicle, you probably already understand the ins and outs of child and booster seats. The same laws that govern your personal vehicle apply to any car you rent.

What type of child seat or booster seat is suitable for ages 0 to 12 years?

• Children are required to use a child car seat or booster seat until they turn 12 years old.
• Height-based seats must be rear-facing until your child is over 15 months old. After that, they can transition to a forward-facing car seat.
• From ages 1 to 3, your child may use a forward-facing car seat.
• Between the ages of 4 and 7, depending on their height and weight, children can use either a forward-facing car seat or a booster seat.
• After they turn 8, again depending on their height and weight, they may either remain in a booster seat or sit in the back seat with the seat belt fastened at all times.

Discover more details about the various child seat and booster seat regulations in the U.S. here.

Regulations for children older than 12 years

Is a car seat necessary when traveling internationally?

Can you rent a car seat along with your rental vehicle? Yes, in fact, it’s usually required. Fortunately, obtaining a car seat with your rental car is quite straightforward.

Nearly all countries around the world mandate that children use a booster seat in vehicles, with India being a notable exception. While most EU nations and the UK adhere to similar booster seat regulations and safety standards, there are some significant exceptions.

I’ve outlined the countries with significant differences in their laws below, but it’s crucial to verify the specific regulations for the country you’re visiting. Failing to do so could result in driving illegally and, more importantly, jeopardizing your children’s safety.

Child Car Seat Regulations in Ireland

In Ireland, the law mandates that a child must use a booster seat until they reach a height of at least 4’11” (150 cm).

Booster Seat Regulations in Italy

In Italy, the law requires that a child must use a booster seat until they are at least 4’11” (150 cm) tall. Additionally, every vehicle must be equipped with an integrated safety device that notifies drivers if a child has been left in the car seat.

Child Car Seat Regulations in Germany

In Germany, the law requires that a child must use a booster seat until they reach a height of at least 4’11” (150 cm).

Child Car Seat Regulations in Spain

In Spain, children are prohibited from riding in the front seat of a car until they turn 12 years old.

Child Car Seat Regulations in Australia

Any child car seat purchased outside of Australia will not comply with the Australian standard AS/NZS 1754. They also won't fit the anchorage system in Australian vehicles, so you’ll need to rent one locally.

Booster Seat Regulations in the US

Child seat regulations in the US vary by state. Be sure to check the legal requirements for each state you’ll be driving through with children. UK and EU child car seats do not meet US standards, as they are incompatible with US Federal regulations (FMVSS213). Therefore, you’ll need to rent a compliant seat there.

Renting a Booster Seat vs. Bringing Your Own

If you’re traveling with only one child, bringing your own booster seat for a rental car can be a practical choice. However, if you have multiple children, transporting several car seats may become more trouble than it’s worth. Before deciding, ensure your child’s car seat is compliant with the laws of the country you’re visiting.

Reasons to Bring Your Own Booster Seat

• You’ll know exactly how to properly install the seat in the vehicle.
• The seat will be suitable for your child’s size and weight.
• Your child will be accustomed to the seat, which may enhance their comfort during travel.
• Only your child will have used the seat, ensuring it’s clean and hygienic (well, as clean as a child’s car seat can realistically be).
• You won’t incur rental fees from the car rental company for the booster seat, which can add up for longer trips.

Benefits of Renting a Booster Seat from a Car Rental Company

• You can be confident that the seat you’re renting complies with child car seat laws for the country or countries you’ll be driving in.
• You won’t have to carry the booster seat along with all your other luggage during travel to and from the car rental.
• Many car rental companies provide free child seats for young children, typically those under two years old. Make sure to check before booking, as this can lead to significant savings, especially for extended rentals.

What is the Cost of Renting a Booster Seat?

The rental price for booster seats varies depending on the country and the rental company.

Overseas prices can fluctuate significantly. Based on my findings, most EU countries had rental costs that were comparable to or lower than those in the UK. Similarly, the US and Australia were consistently more affordable as well.

Before making a reservation, always check with the car rental company regarding their policies on child and booster seats. Some may offer free seats for very young children, while others may charge differently based on the type of seat. If you opt to bring your seat abroad, ensure it complies with the child car seat laws of the country you're visiting.

Leading Car Rental Companies Offering Booster Seats

You can discover trustworthy car rental companies across the US and internationally. The following brands are commonly found in most countries: Avis, Budget, Enterprise, Europcar, Hertz, Sixt, and Thrifty.

How did Dinogo compile this guide?

This guide has been refreshed with the most recent official data from the UK government regarding child car seat regulations in the UK and EU. For information on other countries like the US and Australia, I consulted their official government websites.

I also dedicated time to researching major car rental companies to assess their policies on booster seats. This research covered everything from the types of child seats they provide to their associated costs.

Final Thoughts

When traveling with children, it's important to be aware of child car seat laws in nearly every country you visit. Beyond just following the rules, using a child car seat is the safest way to protect kids while driving. Planning ahead and bringing your own seat can also help you save money. However, since regulations vary by country, ensure your seat complies with local laws before you go.

Renting a car involves several considerations beyond just booster seat regulations. From selecting the right vehicle to understanding the appropriate insurance options, Dinogo provides resources to assist you.