Quote:
Taxis have an exemption from two of the new provisions regarding children in the rear of
vehicles that were introduced in September 2006. These are:
• requiring children between 3 and 11 years of age but less than 135 cms in height to
be secured with a child restraint appropriate for their height and weight in the rear of
motor vehicles provided there is an adult belt in place to secure the child restraint;
and
• prohibiting children under 3 being carried in the rear of a motor vehicle altogether
unless they are in an appropriate child restraint.
In general, taxis and PHVs without a partition are basically treated in the same way as
ordinary cars. The driver of the vehicle is responsible for ensuring that children under 14 are
wearing seat belts: it is an offence for someone to drive a car with a child under 14 in the
front of a car and not wearing a seatbelt and with a child under 14 in the rear who is not
wearing a seatbelt if it is fitted. A child sitting in the rear where there are no seat belts fitted
when there is an unoccupied seat in the front with a seatbelt must move to the front. For
children aged 14 and over, responsibility for compliance rests with the passenger not the
driver.
Where taxis or PHVs have a partition (e.g. London’s hackney carriages), they are exempt
from the requirement to ensure that children under 14 in the rear of such a taxi are wearing a
seat belt. Children over 14 would appear to be covered by the legislation and should wear a
seatbelt but it is their responsibility, not the driver's.
Motor vehicles: seat belts and child restraints
Standard Note: SN/BT/43
Last updated: 1 December 2010
Author: Louise Butcher
Section Business and Transport
Thats interesting as i always thought it was the drivers responsibility in a London style black back as well. Even the licence authority and VRQ people seem to think so too! .. so much conflicting information its no wonder people don't no
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