Services > Child Restraints

CHILD RESTRAINTS

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The law around child restraints

Age of child  & what the law says you must do:

Until their 7th Birthday -  Correctly secure your child in an approved child restraint

From their 7th to their 8th Birthday -  Correctly secure your child in an approved child restraint if one is available in the vehicle (and if not, in any child restraint or safety belt that is available)

From 8th birthday to 14 years old - Must use safety belts if available. If not available, they must travel in the back seat.

Over 14 years old - Must use safety belts where they are available.

International best practice recommends the use of an appropriate child restraint (or booster seat) until your child reaches 148 cm tall or is 11 years old.  Child restraint and medical professionals recommend that you keep your baby in a rear-facing restraint until as old as practicable, at least until they are 2 years of age.

For more information:

• download the Child restraints save lives information brochure

• download the My booster comes with me brochure

• find a certified child restraint technician

What are child restraints?

 Approved child restraints include:

• infant restraints for young babies (often called baby capsules)

• restraints for older babies, toddlers and preschool children (often called car seats)

• booster seats for preschool and school-aged children

• child safety harnesses (used with or without a booster seat) for preschool and school-aged children.

more information from The Car Seat Dude - check out the facebook page

Child restraints protect children from crash forces

Children must be correctly seated in child restraints that are correctly secured into the car to keep them safe from crash forces. 

It’s a driver’s responsibility

When you are the driver, children in your car must be protected in the event of a crash.

As the driver, you are responsible for ensuring that any child travelling in your vehicle is correctly using an appropriate child restraint. Find out the legal requirements [PDF, 243 KB].

How to tell if a child restraint can be legally used in New Zealand & EXPIRY DATES

All child restraints must meet an approved standard. This ensures a restraint's design and construction are laboratory tested under crash conditions and provide the best protection when used according to manufacturer’s instructions.

All approved child restraints display standard markings to show they are approved.

Look for a child restraint that shows:

• a tick mark (indicates the restraint meets the joint New Zealand/Australian Standard AS/NZ 1754)
   

• an 'E' mark (indicates the restraint meets the European Standard ECE 44) – the number on the circle will vary depending on the country of certification.
   

Or, look for a restraint that complies with the United States Standard FMVSS 213. The restraint must also show the New Zealand Standard 'S' mark indicating it is certified for use here.
 

HOW LONG DOES A CAR SEAT LAST FOR?

Child restraints have a life-span of 5-10 years. These dates vary depending on the brand.

 

Restraint attachments

Requirements for how the restraints are attached are part of the American and European standards. Restraints that comply with these standards come with connectors called LATCH (lower anchors and tethers for children) in the United States or ISOFIX in Europe. Both systems have lower anchors in the vehicle and lower attachments on child restraints. This method of installation allows a child restraint to be snapped into place instead of being held by the safety belt.

Some restraints complying with the joint Australia/New Zealand standard also have ISOFIX lower attachments.

Find out more about LATCH and ISOFIX systems (external link).

MOTOR VEHICLE CHILD PASSENGER INJURIES IN NZ
THE NUMBERS

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