Child Booster Seats in Paris: Private Car Rules & Safety Guide 2025

Child Booster Seats in Private Cars: Rules & Safety Guide 2025

Your child has outgrown their baby car seat. Now what? Understanding when and how to use booster seats is essential for keeping your growing child safe on the road.

French Regulations: When Is a Booster Seat Required?

Under French traffic law (Article R412-2):

• Children under 10 years old must use appropriate restraint systems
• The type of seat depends on the child's weight and height, not just age

Car Seat Groups Explained

Group	Weight	Approximate Age	Type
0+	0-13 kg	Birth - 12 months	Infant carrier
1	9-18 kg	9 months - 4 years	Child car seat
2	15-25 kg	3-7 years	High-back booster
3	22-36 kg	6-10 years	Booster cushion

The i-Size Standard (R129)

The newer i-Size regulation uses height instead of weight:

• Children should use rear-facing seats until 15 months minimum
• Height-based stages ensure better fit
• All Lajoieway vehicles use i-Size certified seats

When Can Children Stop Using Booster Seats?

According to French law and road safety recommendations:

A child can stop using a booster seat when:

• They are at least 10 years old, OR
• They are at least 135 cm tall
• The seatbelt fits correctly across shoulder (not neck) and hips (not stomach)

Important: Just because a child reaches 10 doesn't mean the seatbelt fits properly. Always check!

Booster Seat Types: High-Back vs Cushion

High-Back Boosters (Recommended)

Advantages:

• Side impact protection
• Guides seatbelt correctly
• Head support
• More comfortable for sleeping children

Best for: Children 15-36 kg until they outgrow it

Booster Cushions

Advantages:

• Compact and portable
• Less expensive
• Easy to transfer between vehicles

Disadvantages:

• No side impact protection
• No head support
• Seatbelt can slip off shoulder

Our recommendation: Always choose high-back boosters when possible. At Lajoieway, we only provide high-back boosters for maximum safety.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

1. Moving to a Booster Too Early

• Wait until your child exceeds the weight/height limit of their current seat
• Bigger seat ≠ safer seat

2. Using Booster Cushions Too Soon

• Booster cushions are for children 22 kg+ (approx. 6 years)
• Smaller children need high-back boosters

3. Incorrect Seatbelt Positioning

• Belt should cross shoulder (not neck)
• Belt should sit on hips (not stomach)
• Child should sit up straight, not slouching

4. Removing the Booster Too Early

• Even if a child is tall, their hips may not be developed enough
• Test the seatbelt fit before removing the booster

Private Cars and Taxis: Know the Difference

Vehicle Type	Booster Required?
Private car (family car)	✅ Yes, always
Private hire (VTC like Lajoieway)	✅ Yes, we provide them
Taxi	⚠️ Legally exempt (but not recommended)
Bus/Coach	⚠️ Varies by type

What Lajoieway Provides

When you book with us for children aged 3-10:

• High-back booster seats (Group 2/3)
• Certified to i-Size R129 or ECE R44/04 standards
• Pre-installed in the vehicle
• Cleaned and sanitized before each journey
• No extra charge for any car seats

Simply tell us your children's ages when booking, and we'll have the right equipment ready.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: My child is 5 but very tall. Does he still need a booster? A: Yes! Age doesn't matter - what matters is whether the seatbelt fits correctly without a booster. Most 5-year-olds still need booster seats.

Q: Can two boosters fit side by side? A: Yes, our Mercedes V-Class can accommodate up to 3 child seats across the back row.

Q: What if I forget to mention my child's age? A: Please always tell us! We can't guarantee the correct seat without knowing ages/weights.

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Traveling with children aged 3-10?

Book your transfer with free booster seats included!

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Official Sources

This article is based on official and verified sources:

• Sécurité Routière
• Euro NCAP
• Paris Info (Office du Tourisme)