Car seat - legal requirement?

[newcomer]

I've heard rumours that you're legally obliged to have a car seat to bring the baby home from hospital. That's understandable for people who own cars, but what happens if you don't have a car?

We don't yet own a car, so I wasn't necessarily planning on buying a car seat unless/until we have a car as we rarely travel by car and, when we do, it's in the cars of friends who already have children (and thus, already have car seats).

Unless we've bought a car by the time our baby in born in April I was therefore planning on ordering a taxi to bring me home from Kings after the baby is born. Does the 'car seat' rule still apply to taxis? I've never seen a car seat in a black cab, and I don't know of any taxi firms that 'provide' car seats. If the rule applies, can the hospital 'lend' you a car seat or are you expected to have bought one already? Even if I bought a car seat:

a) What car seat am I meant to buy, and how do I know in advance if it will fit the taxi I order when I leave? Are they all the same fitting?

b)Is it easy to fit a car seat in a taxi, given that I've never fitted one before and am unlikely to be able to 'practice' between now and April? Does anyone know of any taxi firms that would help with this?

c) How do I get the car seat to the hospital in the first place - eg, would I be expected to carry around a car seat with me in the last few weeks of pregnancy just in case my waters break and I have to go into hospital? :-)

d) Does the rule continue to apply after you've left hospital? Ie, if I ever walk/take a bus to the shops but then fancy getting a taxi home, can I do that without a car seat?

If it's all really true, then what happens if (for whatever reason) you don't have a car seat when you leave hospital? Are you forced to live in the hospital for the rest of your days, or do you have to walk home/catch a bus?

I'm sure that this is a very stupid question with a very simple answer but, in my defence, I'm now 25 weeks pregnant and

my fluffy pregnancy hormones have now truly set in!

Thank you!

PS, if anyone knows of anyone with a second-hand BMW 1 series in great condition for sale (2007(57) model or later), please let me know!

[suzisoo]

This made me laugh so much, I also wonder whether the hospital staff would hold the baby to ransom until you produced a car seat. i think a baby can go in a taxi without restraint if there is no other alternative, I let my son hold his daughter once while i ran them to the station but i was frantic something might happen. Also trusting someone you have never driven with before to drive you home would be a worry, also the taxi driver may not be comfortable with this. I am sure someone on this forum will lend you one nearer the time and then just get someone to bring it into hospital on the day.It really is not worth taking the risk. Good luck.

[Fuschia]

There are cab companies that will come with a car seat. I wouldn't travel with no restraint, it's really not safe (though legal in case of a taxi)

[Cora]

We got a bus home both times with the babies in the baby bjorn....

[snowboarder]

I think there was a long thread about this a while back. Summary I think was no you don't need a car seat to get out of hospital (subtext - kings prob not notice you leaving anyway!) you only need a car seat if a baby is travelling in a private car, and whilst I'm unsure of the legalities I have certainly been in a black cab with the baby in the pram.

[Pickle]

They were so busy when I left after having baby #2 I don't think they even noticed we were leaving, let alone what the baby was in!

[bizzylizzy]

Couldn't you borrow one for that 1 journey? Get someone to bring it in to hospital once baby is born and you are ready to come home. The first size seats normally have slits in them to strap the seatbelt round and ours has a diagram on to show you how to attach it.

[sillywoman]

I think that if the baby is in a car of any sort (hackney carriage doesn't apply) then by law they do have to have an "appropriate restraint" - i.e. car seat. I think that this applies to mini-cabs too. You probably wouldn't want to take your new baby in a car without the proper safety precautions anyway would you?

[newcomer]

Thanks everyone! I think we'll try to borrow a car seat from someone but it's good to know that they don't stop you leaving if you don't have one!

[ClareC]

You do need a car seat legally in any private car / mini cab. Black cabs are different, no car seat necessary provided the baby is in a pram and presumably busses different again.

There is a cab firm that St Thomas's use that will provide a car seat if you request it when booking a cab - can't remember the name but have a midwife appt tomorrow so can check if you like.

Probably easiest to borrow a seat / get a friend with a seat to collect you.

[Fuschia]

You don't need one in a licnesed taxi, or in case of emergency/short trips (3+ only)

Exceptions to the rules

In limited circumstances, children can travel without the correct child restraint.

"1) In a licensed taxi or licensed private hire vehicle. If the correct child restraint is not available then, in the rear seat only, children under 3 may travel unrestrained. Children aged 3 years and over must use an adult seat belt.

2) In cases of unexpected necessity over a short distance. If the correct child restraint is not available then, in the rear seat only, a child of 3 years or more must use an adult belt. This exemption does not apply to children under 3 years and does not cover regular school runs or other journeys that are planned in advance.

3) Where two occupied child restraints in the rear seat prevent you fitting a third. In this case, provided the front seat is occupied, a third child aged 3 years and over can use an adult seat belt (lap OR lap and diagonal) in the rear. If the front seat is free, then they must seat there using the correct child restraint.

"

http://www.dft.gov.uk/think/focusareas/children/childincar

[standswithfist]

we borrowed one from a friend and another friend drove us home. We also do not own a car.