Hi there,
Just wondering if anyone knows what the "restrictions/specifications" for carseats in Germany are?
I've tried using the internet to find out, but no luck.
Our girls are 9 1/2 (I've read somewhere that kids have to be in carseats/boosters until age 12?) - but what types of seats are acceptable? Are half boosters?
I'm trying to find out, so I can work out if it's worth buying them at home and taking them, or simply renting them out through our campervan booking.
Many thanks
The reaction of a casual but curious browser:
I've read somewhere
I think it a shame that people posting on this forum do not keep track of whatever it is they think they have 'read somewhere'.
I've tried using the internet to find out, but no luck.
I'll grant that it isn't practical to provide us with a detailed log of your web-search activities. Nonetheless, what have you found, and what's causing the confusion in you?
I did my own Google search on "booster seat requirements Germany" and came to the conclusion that, once again, spread of rumor, misunderstanding and other sorts of misinformation is common on the internet. Web forums, personal blogs and similar 'uncontrolled' information' sites score high on the guilty-as-charged factor.
And just in case my point isn't clear enough: the info is already out there. All I or anyone else can do is repeat it. Without a credibility check on we who post answers, you're not in any better position than you already are in.
Which makes it all the more useful if you could state with more precision what's confusing you and/or why you can't find the info.
And i have read somewhere that not only the age of the kid but also its length is a factor.
All children under the age of twelve must have a booster seat. Height and weight need to be considered.
Unless your girls are very small , a simple half-booster seat will be enough. They are not as safe as a full seat with back - and side protection,though.
Google "Sitzerhöhung kindersitz" to see what I mean.
The legal obligation to have a child's seat / booster seat applies until children are 12 years old or taller than 150 cm (because then they are tall enough for the seat belt to work correctly without a childrens' / booster seat).
The type of seat / booster seat depends on the child's weight, you may check this Wikipedia article for details (using Google Translate or similar if necessary).
That said, I would rent them along with the campervan to be sure they comply with German regulations and standards, (and there's less luggage for you to lug around), unless you would also need them for the plane seats.
Incidentally, automobile associations are a good source of information for this kind of question, at least in Europe.
Ive read somewhere is ok, as long as you read the appropriate literature. In this case it is article 21 of the german highway code ("Strassenverkehrsordnung - StVO).
It says clearly that all children under 13 and under 150 cm need a car seat. As car seat only seats which meet the requirements of the ECE-44/03 or /04 standard are acceptable. The seal should be printed under the seat. It includes half boosters, if they meet that standard.