Car Seat Groups Explained

When travelling with babies and children, it’s so important to make sure they are safely secured into the correct type of car seat. With so many types of car seats on the market, where do you start?

Here at Wilsons Epsom we can help. In this article dedicated to the topic of child car seats and boosters, we explain the different types of car seats available in the UK, how to work out the correct car seat for your child, and under what circumstances a child can travel without a car seat. Read on to find out more… 

What are the car seat regulations in the UK?

Here in the UK, all car seats must be regulated for use through a certain set of standards. Safety is of the utmost importance, so ensure your child’s car seat meets the following criteria:

• Look out for the official European Union (EU) safety standard mark which is identified by an ‘E’ in a circle on the car seat’s label, followed by ‘R129’. i-Size is replacing the old R44/04 and R44/03 safety standards, and are compatible with all ISOFIX connectors
• Check it is the most suitable car seat for your child’s current height and weight
• Make sure the car seat is correctly fitted by following the manufacturer’s instructions 

What types of car seats are there?

Car seat shopping isn’t as easy as choosing the one you like and simply popping it in the car. There are five main types of car seats for babies, toddlers and children that not only operate differently, but are specifically designed depending on the age, height and weight of a child: 

Rear facing baby car seats

Rear facing baby seats (also called rearward-facing baby seats) are designed specifically for babies and infants. As the name suggests, this type of car seat quite literally faces backwards, so your baby is facing the rear of the car. They provide much greater protection for a baby’s head, neck and spine to keep your infant as safe as possible when driving.   

Forward facing car seats

Forward facing car seats are designed for infants over 9kg  - which is usually when they are around nine months old and have outgrown a rear facing baby seat. But rather than facing backwards, your infant will instead face forwards. Fitted with an impact shield, forward facing car seats have three or five point harnesses integrated.

Rear and forward facing car seats 

For the best of both worlds, rear and forward facing car seats can either face forwards or backwards depending on your child’s height and weight. Unlike models of separate rear facing and forward facing car seats, these are generally heavier so are best to stay fitted in your vehicle at all times.       

Booster car seats

Booster seats are a legal requirement for children when they have outgrown their forward facing seat (usually around 4-years-old) until they are either 12-years-old or at least 135cm in height (whichever comes first). There are two main types of booster seats - a booster cushion and a high-backed booster seat - which we explain below:

1. Booster cushion: designed for a child to sit on only
2. High-backed booster seat: designed for a child to sit on with an additional back part and integrated headrest

Some brands of high-backed booster seats are designed so that the back part and headrest can be removed, which means it can be turned into a basic booster cushion. It’s important to understand that both types of booster seats are not fitted with an internal harness, so your child is secured by your car’s standard seat belt only.       

Lie-flat car seats

Lie-flat car seats are designed to carry newborn babies and as the name suggests, means your baby can lie flat in order to provide the best sleeping position possible. Car seats that enable your little one to sleep flat usually cater for babies up to 75cm (around 12-months-old). Most come fitted with a carry handle for ultimate convenience for mum and dad. 

What are the car seat groups?

The type of car seat you need for your little one totally depends on their weight (height is also taken into consideration too). As such, child car seats are divided into different groups by weight as displayed in the table below:

Because car seat groups are weight related, there is naturally an element of crossover between them. As your child grows and moves up a car seat group, it’s really important that they reach the maximum height or weight before you do so. 

What is an ISOFIX child car seat?

ISOFIX (which stands for International Standards Organisation Fix) is a fixture found within most new cars to ensure child and baby seats are fitted correctly. It is a market-leading safety system that has been designed to secure a car seat via a series of connection points, rather than relying solely on a seatbelt. 

Bear in mind that an ISOFIX child seat is only compatible with a car that has ISOFIX fittings integrated. If your vehicle does not have this as standard, then you’ll need to purchase an ISOFIX base to make the fitting possible and safe. 

How do you know if your car has ISOFIX points?

Back in 2012, it became mandatory for cars with four seats or more to be fitted with ISOFIX points as standard. This means that cars with reg plates of ‘61’ and above are likely to have ISOFIX connectors. To confirm this, check your vehicle’s handbook for more information.   

What size car seat should you buy?

When it comes to choosing the right type of car seat for your baby or child, then height, weight and age are all determining factors. To help, here’s a snapshot of what car seat group your son or daughter falls into:

• Group 0 - 0kg up to 10kg (newborn up to around 9 months)
• Group 0+ - 0kg up to 13kg (newborn up to around 15 months)
• Group 1 - 9kg up to 18kg (newborn up to around 4-years-old)
• Group 2 - 15kg up to 25kg (from around 9 months up to around 6-years-old)
• Group 3 - 22kg up to 36kg (from around 4-years-old up to 12-years-old)

Tips for buying a baby or child car seat

Before you buy a baby or child car seat, read our top 10 tips: 

1. Make sure the child seat you choose fits in your make and model of car - select a retailer that will allow you to try before you buy
2. Ask the retailer to demonstrate how the car seat works - some are more difficult to use than others
3. If you want to use the car seat in more than one vehicle, check it fits first 
4. Only purchase i-Size car seats that display the EU safety standard mark
5. Check the car seat already has ISOFIX connectors built in
6. Ensure your car is compatible with a child car seat that has ISOFIX connectors
7. Decide whether you’d prefer a car seat that is fixed or can be moved
8. Never buy a child car seat second hand as it could have been damaged in an accident
9. Only ever accept a car seat that’s been used before, if it meets EU safety standards and you can be sure it’s never been damaged
10. Not all child car seats come with handles, so consider convenience too 

Child car seats - the law in the UK

Did you know that it’s the law in the UK for a child to travel in a car seat or booster seat? Not only this, but it’s very dangerous to drive with a child who is not properly secured as a passenger. Abide by the law by following the rules below:

• Children under 12-years-old or 135cm tall (whichever comes first) must travel in a car seat or booster seat
• Children aged 12-years-old and over or more than 135cm tall must wear a seat belt
• Only EU approved child car seats and booster seats can be used in the UK
• Your child’s car seat or booster seat must comply with his or her height and weight
• Front airbags must be deactivated before fitting a rear facing baby seat in the front seat
• A child’s car seat cannot be fitted in a vehicle that has side-facing seats  

How to fit a child car seat

Every child car seat or booster seat is fitted slightly differently, so always make sure you refer to the instruction booklet first. Any decent retailer will show you how to fit your child’s car seat or booster seat when you purchase the item. Always remember:

• It is not only dangerous, but illegal to travel with a baby in a rear facing car in the front seat, if an airbag is still active
• Make sure you fit forward facing car seats in the rear passenger seats only
• Only use a child’s car seat if your car has designated ISOFIX anchor points, a diagonal seat belt strap, or has been designed to be used with a lap seat belt

When can a child travel without being in a car seat?

In some cases, a child aged three or older can travel without being in a car seat for one of three reasons:

1. If travelling in a private hire vehicle (taxi or minicab) or coach and minibus
2. If on an unexpected journey where the correct child car seat isn’t available (this may be an emergency trip to hospital, for example)
3. If there is no room for a third child car seat in the front or back of the vehicle

In the case of the above, you must ensure that the child is secured in the back by an adult seat belt. 

Child-friendly cars at Wilsons Epsom

If you’re searching for a new or used car to cater for a growing family, then visit our Wilsons Epsom dealership in Surrey for a huge amount of choice. We are proud to be the largest family-run new and used car supermarket in the South of England so are best-placed to help in your search for a family-friendly car complete with ISOFIX fittings. Check out our blogs highlighting the safest family cars and the best family cars to buy in 2023 then start your search online by exploring our vast selection of stock.