Car Seat Rules in Singapore: A Guide for Parents

Every year in Singapore, hundreds of children are injured in road traffic accidents, many of which could have been prevented with the proper use of child restraints. Between 2012 and 2023, about 10% of all child injury deaths were due to road traffic injuries. It is even more troubling that about one in two children were not properly buckled up when accidents occurred, and nearly two-thirds of injured infants under one year old were not restrained.

Research shows that the use of proper restraints, such as car seats, boosters and seatbelts, can lower serious and fatal injuries to children by up to 80%. Ensuring your child is properly buckled up in the car is not just a legal requirement – it is a critical safety measure that could save your child’s life.

This article will cover:

• The legal requirements for car seat safety in Singapore
• What is considered an “approved child restraint”, and the different types of child restraints
• The penalties for non-compliance with car seat rules in Singapore
• Whether there are any exemptions to the car seat rules in Singapore
• FAQs on car seat safety requirements in Singapore 
• Practical guidance for parents/caregivers on car seat safety requirements

What are the Legal Requirements for Car Seat Safety in Singapore? 

Car seat safety in Singapore is governed by two main pieces of legislation:

• Road Traffic Act 1961 – This provides the general framework for road traffic regulations in Singapore, including provisions for passenger safety.
• Road Traffic (Motor Vehicles, Wearing of Seat Belts) Rules 2011 – These specific rules lay down detailed requirements for proper restraints for children under 1.35 metres.

There are two key agencies involved in car seat safety regulation and enforcement. The Land Transport Authority plays a key role in setting out the regulations, including making front seat and rear seat belts mandatory, requiring the appropriate child restraints, as well as requiring seat belt installation in motor cars, small buses and school buses. The Singapore Police Force and Traffic Police are in charge of enforcing traffic laws such as child restraint requirements, conducting road patrols and issuing penalties for traffic offences.

Under Singapore law, all passengers below 1.35 metres in height must be properly secured in an approved child restraint appropriate to their height and weight. This requirement applies regardless of age, which means that adults who are below 1.35 metres must also use appropriate restraints. Once a child reaches or exceeds 1.35 metres in height, they can transition to using a regular adult seat belt. However, parents must continue to assess whether the seat belt fits properly. In particular:

• The lap belt should sit low across the hips, not the stomach
• The shoulder belt should cross the chest and shoulder, not the neck
• Do not let your child put the shoulder belt under his/her arm or behind his/her back
• Your child should be able to sit all the way back against the vehicle seat with knees bent comfortably at the edge.

Children must be secured in a child restraint appropriate to both their height and weight. This means that even if a child meets the height requirement for a specific car seat, it may not be considered an “appropriate child restraint” should it exceed the manufacturer’s recommended weight capacity. Parents should familiarise themselves with both the height requirements under the Singapore law and the weight limits specified by the car seat manufacturer to ensure the safety of your child.

What is an “Approved Child Restraint”? 

So how do you choose a child restraint? Start by making sure that it complies with the law. According to the Road Traffic (Motor Vehicles, Wearing of Seat Belts) Rules 2011, an “approved child restraint” is any child restraint that has been approved by the Deputy Commissioner of Police.  As of 13 June 2025, the Singapore Police Force has published the following approved safety standards:

• American Standard FMVSS 213
• Australian Standard AS 1754-1975 (including AS1754.1-1989 Part 1, AS 1754.2-1989 Part 2 and AS 1754.4-1989 Part 4)
• British Standards B.S. 3254: Part 2: 1988, B.S. AU 202a: 1988, or B.S. AU 185: 1983 (will be phased out from 1 January 2031) 
• European Standards ECE R44 and ECE R129 (i-Size)
• Japanese Standard JIS D0401-1990 (will be phased out from 1 January 2031) 

The British and Japanese Standards will no longer be approved standards as of 2031, as they have been replaced by newer, more rigorous standards such as the European Standard ECE R129 (i-Size). Drivers using child restraints with the British and Japanese approval standards should switch to the newer standards and will have until 31 December 2030 to do so..

Unlike older standards, the European Standard ECE R129 classifies seats based on the child’s height, instead of weight, to make it simpler for parents to find a suitable seat. The standard also requires stricter safety tests to protect a child from being hurt from the side in a crash.

Check if your child restraint meets the approved standards by clarifying with the retailers, and reviewing information provided by the child restraint manufacturer on their website.

Different types of child restraints

Different types of child restraints are designed for children at different stages of development:

• Rear-facing car seats, which are for infants
• Forward-facing car seats
• Booster seats
• Adjustable seat belts

Rear-facing infant seats are designed for newborns and infants about two to four years of age. Rear-facing seats provide better protection for a young child’s head, neck, and spine during a frontal collision. A rear-facing seat keeps the head, neck and spine aligned, while distributing the force of impact across the entire back. This is important for infants and toddlers whose neck muscles are not yet strong enough to support their relatively large heads during sudden movements or on impact. Children should be kept in rear-facing seats for as long as possible, as it decreases the chance of serious injury compared to other types of car seats.

Forward-facing seats should be used by toddlers and young children who have outgrown their rear-facing seats. These seats should have a five-point harness that secures the child at the shoulder, hips and between the legs, keeping them in the car seat during a collision. Children can remain in a forward-facing seat with a harness, until they weigh around 18kg and can sit upright without moving out of place or unbuckling.

Booster seats should be used by older children who have outgrown forward-facing seats, but are still below 1.35 metres in height. Children typically use booster seats from around four to seven years of age. Booster seats elevate the child so that the vehicle’s adult seat belt fits properly across the child’s body. The lap belt should fit low and tight across the child’s hips and not on their stomach, while the shoulder belt should rest across the child’s chest and collarbone and does not rub against the child’s neck. There are various types of booster seats: high-back booster seats provide head and neck support as well as side-impact protection, while booster cushions only elevate the child, without providing back or side support. Booster cushions tend to offer less protection than high-back booster seats, but are more portable. They should only be used when the children are able to sit upright throughout the car ride and the car seat also has a headrest.

Adjustable seat belts are seat belts with built-in adjusters to fit older children who have outgrown their booster seats. These seat belts can be adjusted to suit the child’s height, and are designed to help the child transition from using child-safety seats to adult seat belts.

What are the Penalties for Non-Compliance with Car Seat Rules in Singapore?  

Fines and imprisonment 

Singapore takes child passenger safety seriously and the driver is primarily responsible for this. The driver must ensure that:

• All passengers below 1.35 metres are properly secured in the appropriate child restraints (i.e. child restraints are properly installed and appropriate for the child’s height and weight).
• All other adult passengers are wearing seat belts. In this case, adult passengers can also be penalised for failing to wear their own seat belts, even if they are in the rear seats. For children, the legal responsibility lies with the driver or parent/guardian, not the child.

Failing to do any of the above will result in drivers incurring 3 demerit points and having to pay a composition fine of S$150. These drivers are still liable to be convicted in court and may face a court fine of up to S$1,000 or jail time for up to 3 months. Repeat offenders can be further fined up to S$2,000 or jailed for up to 6 months.

Implications on insurance 

Car insurance covers the damage to third parties, including your child, if an accident occurs and could even cover any damage sustained to your car. However, there could be implications on your insurance claims, if your insurance provider finds that you failed to ensure that your child was properly restrained and you did not adhere to the laws under the Road Traffic Act. It may affect the payout amount for the child’s injuries, and future insurance premiums with your accident history. Demerit points from traffic offences may not directly impact your insurance coverage, but accumulating too many may result in higher premiums. On the other hand, if you have a clean driving record, with no demerit points for at least 3 years, you may qualify for a Certificate of Merit from the Singapore Traffic Police, which entitles you to an additional 5% discount on car insurance premiums. Receiving demerit points for child restraint violations would disqualify you from this benefit.

Are There Any Exemptions to the Car Seat Rules in Singapore? 

You might be wondering – do these car seat rules apply to all vehicles? Surely, it would be unreasonable to expect a taxi that you flagged down in the middle of the road to carry the necessary child restraints in their vehicle. In this section, we discuss the application of car seat rules to various vehicles. In summary,

• Taxis are exempt from child restraint requirements
• Private-hire vehicles and buses are not exempt from child restraint requirements

Taxis 

Taxis are legally exempt from the requirement to carry child restraints. This is because passengers may not be able to request for a child seat in time, should they flag a taxi in the street. However, children under 1.35 metres should ride in the rear seat (instead of the front seat) of taxis to minimise risk of injury in the event of an accident. Nevertheless, you are strongly encouraged to bring along portable child restraints when taking taxis, especially for infants and young toddlers who cannot safely use adult seat belts even in the rear seat.

Private-hire vehicles 

On the other hand, private-hire vehicles are not exempt from this requirement. A child restraint is legally required every time a child under 1.35 metres travels in a private-hire vehicle. Passengers are responsible for indicating if they need child restraints at the time of booking, so that drivers have the opportunity to prepare these in advance or cancel the booking if they do not have the required child restraints. Alternatively, you are expected to bring your own portable child restraints when using private-hire services.

For example, Grab offers “GrabFamily” service options where private-hire vehicles are equipped with child restraints, and can be booked for an additional fee on top of the base fare (typically an additional S$2-$5, depending on the age of the child). However, availability may be limited, and the specific restraint provided may not be suitable for all children. Gojek and other private-hire platforms also have similar options for families with young children, though vehicle availability may vary. If you are travelling with a child below 1.35 metres in height, do consider making arrangements for child seats as early as possible. Do beware – not complying with child restraint requirements in private-hire vehicles can result in the same penalties as in private cars.

Small/school buses  

Certain buses are not exempt from child restraint requirements. Small buses, in particular, those ferrying school children (with a seating capacity for 15 passengers or fewer) must:

• Have forward-facing seats equipped with three-point seat belts.
• Have drivers and bus attendants/conductors ensure child passengers are properly secured with the appropriate child restraints or seat belts

Large school buses (with a seating capacity for more than 15 persons) also have to comply with LTA safety requirements, including the installation of seat belts and having bus attendants on board (mandatory for buses carrying more than 30 children or ferrying children to and from childcare centres and kindergartens), and have proper safety equipment.

School bus drivers or attendants who fail to ensure passengers are properly secured may be liable to a S$200 composition fine. Bus drivers face an additional 3 demerit points. Drivers/attendants are also liable to be convicted in court and may face a court fine of up to S$1,000 or jail time for up to 3 months, with repeat offenders being fined up to S$2,000 or jailed for up to 6 months.

FAQs on Car Seat Safety Requirements in Singapore 

My child is small but above 1.35 metres – must they use a booster? 

No. Children taller than 1.35 metres should use an adult seat belt.

When can my child safely move to an adult seat belt? 

Your child can legally use an adult seat belt once they reach 1.35 metres in height. However, for safety, you should ensure that (a) they can sit properly for the entire journey without slouching or leaning, (b) the lap belt sits low across the hips and the shoulder belt crosses the chest (not the neck), and (c) your child can sit all the way back with knees bent at the seat edge.

Can I use a second-hand child restraint? 

You can use a second-hand child restraint if it is within its expiry date, meets Singapore’s approved safety standards, is in good condition with all of its original components intact, and it can be installed in your car. The safest option is to purchase a new car seat with current safety certifications.

Can I use a seat purchased overseas? 

Yes, if the restraint meets the accepted safety standards in Singapore.

What do I do if my Grab/Gojek driver does not have a child restraint? 

You should consider booking a “family-friendly” option that carries the appropriate child restraints. You may also want to bring your own portable restraint. Alternatively, you could book a taxi instead, which is legally exempt from carrying a child restraint, but your child must be seated in the rear.

Are car seat laws enforced often in Singapore? 

The Traffic Police conduct regular road patrols and enforcement operations. They may check for child restraint compliance during general traffic stops, especially near School Zones.

Practical Guidance for Parents/Caregivers on Car Seat Safety Requirements

Rather than seeing child restraints as a mere legal requirement, you should see them as essential life-saving equipment.

Types of transportation 

• In a private car, always use an approved child restraint appropriate for your child’s height and weight. Ensure that the restraint is properly installed according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Check that harness straps are snug (should only fit two fingers between the strap and your child’s chest).
• In a taxi, ensure that children under 1.35 metres ride in the rear seat. Bring a portable car seat or booster when possible. Consider planning ahead to ensure that you are able to book a taxi ride with child seat options to ensure better safety.
• In a private-hire vehicle, you may also want to plan ahead to book “family-friendly” options which include child restraints when available. Where possible, do verify with the driver the type of restraint provided, and assess whether it is appropriate for your child’s age, height and weight. Consider bringing your own portable restraint, as a backup. If the provided restraint is not suitable, politely decline the ride and rebook.
• In a school bus, verify that the seat belts are installed. Teach your child to always wear their seat belt when in the bus, remain seated throughout the journey and to follow the bus attendant’s instructions.

Choosing an approved child restraint 

Consider your child’s height (must be under 1.35 metres in height to require restraint), and weight (look at the manufacturer’s recommended limits). Assess whether they are mature enough to sit properly positioned throughout the journey.

Check for approved safety standards. The certification should be clearly labelled and attached to the seat.

Follow the manufacturer’s installation instructions precisely. If you are installing the child seat in your own car, measure your vehicle’s back seat depth and width, and consider test-installing the seat in your car before buying. The seat should not move more than 2.5cm side-to-side or front-to-back when pulled at the belt path. Adjust harness or car seat straps such that they are snug (you should fit only two fingers between the strap and your child). Check the installation regularly, as seats can become loose over time. As your child grows, re-adjust the harness height.

Consider the safety features of the child seat. Look for seats with side-impact protection (with extra cushioning on the sides of the seat), energy-absorbing foam to dissipate the impact, and adjustable features (as your child grows). Note that convertible seats that transition from rear-facing to forward-facing seats can also be used for a longer period of time. You may want to also consider the ease of installation, to reduce the risk of incorrect use. If you frequently use taxis or several private cars, a lighter and more portable option may be useful.

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Car seat safety in Singapore is governed by clear legal requirements designed to protect our most precious and vulnerable passengers. Remember that:

• All children under 1.35 metres must use approved child restraints appropriate to their height and weight when travelling in vehicles (except taxis which are exempt, but children under 1.35 metres should ride in the rear seat)
• Singapore recognises multiple international safety standards, giving parents flexibility in choosing seats
• Drivers are primarily responsible for ensuring their passengers, especially children, are properly restrained
• Private-hire vehicles are not exempt, and passengers must provide their own child restraints or book “family-friendly” vehicles that come equipped with the necessary child restraints. School buses must also meet specific LTA safety requirements including seat belt installation and bus attendants.

Every car ride, no matter how short, carries risk. Beyond legal compliance, child car seat safety is about protecting what matters most. Making sure your child is properly restrained in an appropriate, correctly installed car seat is one of the most important things you can do to keep them safe. Your child’s safety is worth the time and investment required to get car seat safety right. Make every journey a safe one.