Seat belt, airbag and child seats
⏱️ 4 min read
The seat belt is, by far, the piece of equipment that saves the most lives on the road. In Belgium, it is compulsory for every occupant, in the front as well as in the back. The airbag complements it but never replaces it. And for children, precise rules require a device suited to their height. Here is what you need to know, and the classic exam traps.
✨ Key takeaways
- The seat belt is compulsory for all occupants, in the front as well as in the back.
- A child under 1.35 m must travel in an approved, suitable child restraint.
- A rear-facing seat is prohibited in front of an active passenger airbag: it must be deactivated.
- The airbag complements the seat belt but never replaces it.
- The driver is responsible for the seat belt use of passengers under 18.
- A child under 3 is never transported without a suitable restraint.
The seat belt: compulsory for everyone
In a vehicle fitted with seat belts, every occupant must wear one, in every seat, in the front as well as in the back. The driver is responsible for ensuring that passengers under 18 wear their seat belt. Each adult passenger is responsible for their own seat belt.
Children under 1.35 m
A child under 1.35 m must be transported in a child restraint suited to their height and weight: infant carrier, child seat, booster seat with or without a backrest. This device must be approved and correctly fitted. The Belgian rule uses height as the main criterion.
From 1.35 m, the child may use the vehicle's seat belt like an adult, provided it is correctly positioned (strap over the shoulder, never under the arm or behind the back). In practice, a booster seat often remains useful above this height to position the belt properly.
| Child's height | What is required |
|---|---|
| Under 1.35 m | Approved child restraint suited to height and weight |
| 1.35 m or more (but under 18) | Vehicle seat belt, correctly positioned |
Rear-facing seat and airbag: a deadly danger
A child installed in a rear-facing seat may never be placed on a front passenger seat protected by an active frontal airbag. In a collision, the airbag deploys with such force that it would violently throw the infant carrier backwards, with a risk of serious or fatal injury to the child.
The role of the airbag: a complement, not a substitute
The airbag is designed to work with the seat belt, not instead of it. The seat belt restrains the body and holds it in position; the airbag then cushions the impact of the head and chest. Without a seat belt, the occupant is thrown forwards and can hit the airbag at the wrong moment, which worsens injuries instead of limiting them.
A few exceptions
Wearing the seat belt and using a child restraint allow a few limited exemptions:
- People holding a medical exemption certificate (to be presented in the event of a check).
- Certain professional drivers (e.g. deliveries or collections with very frequent stops) within the framework provided for by the regulations.
- In a taxi, a child with no available restraint travels in the back (never in the front); above a certain age, they wear the seat belt if one is fitted.
- If the child restraints on board are already occupied by other children and an additional seat cannot be installed, a child aged 3 or over may travel in the back wearing the seat belt.
How many people can you carry?
The number of passengers is limited to the number of seats fitted with a seat belt (according to the registration certificate). You never carry more people than there are seats with a belt, and each person in their own seat.
❓ Frequently asked questions
Is the seat belt compulsory in the back?
Yes. In Belgium, the seat belt is compulsory in every seat fitted with one, in the front as well as in the back, for short and long journeys alike.
From what height can a child do without a seat?
From 1.35 m, the child may use the vehicle's seat belt if it is correctly positioned. Below that, a suitable child restraint is compulsory.
Can I install a rear-facing baby seat in the front?
Only if the passenger airbag is deactivated. With an active frontal airbag, it is prohibited and dangerous. The safest option is to install the child in the back.
Is the airbag enough to protect me if I don't wear the seat belt?
No. The airbag is designed to act as a complement to the seat belt. Without a seat belt, it can even worsen injuries. The two work together.