Under 145 cm (4’9″)

Although the law allows children over 9 years old to use the seat belt, the best protection for your child depends on their height. If your child is under 145 cm (4’9″) they are probably too short to use the seat belt alone. In this case the best protection for your child is to use a booster seat.

These are the 4 types of booster seats available:

• Infant/child/booster seat
• Child/booster seat
• High back booster
• No back booster

Key points for booster seats and child passengers:

• Keep your child in a booster seat until they are over 145 cm (4’9″)
• Always use a lap/shoulder seat belt when one is available

For more information about booster seats:

• Types of booster seats
• Using booster seats
• BC law regarding child passengers

Over 145 cm (4’9″)

If your child is over 145 cm (4’9″) they can use the lap/shoulder seat belt without a booster seat. Children must use a lap/shoulder seat belt if one is available, even if that means the child must sit in the front passenger seat. Children take priority over adults in using a lap/shoulder seat belt.

If you need to use the front passenger seat for your child, make sure the seat is as far back as possible from the dash.

For information about seat belts:

• Seat belts
• BC law regarding child passengers

Fact Sheets

• Infant and Child Car Seats
• Rear-Facing Child Car Seats (Birth to 1 Year)
• Forward-Facing Child Car Seats (Over 1 Year)
• Booster Child Car Seats (Under 9 Years)
• Seat belts and Children (Over 9 Years)
• Buying a Used Child Car Seat
• Universal Anchorage System