Am I allowed to drive with a child without a car seat in Denmark?
No — children who are under 135 cm tall must use approved safety equipment in the car. Under Road Traffic Act §80a a child under 135 cm must use a child seat or booster suited to height and weight — it is the height and not the age that decides, and that is where people get it wrong. At 135 cm and above the child can use the ordinary seat belt. A rear-facing seat may not be placed on a front seat with an active airbag; the airbag must be deactivated. In a car without seat belts a child under 3 may not be carried at all. The driver is responsible for making sure every passenger under 15 is secured — including children who are not your own. A breach brings 2,000 kr, 1,000 kr to the Victim Fund and a clip.
📋 The rules
- A child under 135 cm must use an approved child seat
- The seat must be suited to height and weight
- A rear-facing seat may not be in front of an active airbag
- Without belts: a child under 3 may not be carried
- Fine: 2,000 kr + 1,000 kr + a clip
🔓 Exceptions
- In occasional transport a child of 3 and above may use the ordinary belt in the back
- In a taxi a child of 3 and above can sit in the back with the ordinary belt
- If there is no room for a third child seat, a child of 3 and above may use the belt
⚠️ Penalties & fines
Driving with an unsecured child under 135 cm brings a fine of 2,000 kr, 1,000 kr to the Victim Fund and a clip on the licence — 3,000 kr in real terms, plus a clip that stacks on any earlier ones. The bill goes to the driver and not to the child's parents: you are responsible for every passenger under 15 being secured, including when you drive the neighbours' children to football. It is the height and not the age that is the threshold, so it is the tape measure and not the birthday that decides when the booster can go.
📎 Official sources
- Road Traffic Act §80a · Retsinformation →
- Safe Traffic · Children in the car →
- Borger.dk · Safety in the car →
❓ Frequently asked
Can I drive with a child without a car seat?
No. Children under 135 cm must use an approved child seat or booster suited to height and weight, and the ordinary belt is not enough on its own. The fine is 2,000 kr, 1,000 kr to the Victim Fund and a clip.
Up to what height must the child use a seat?
Until the child is 135 cm tall. At 135 cm and above it can use the ordinary seat belt — it is the height and not the age that decides, so the tape measure tells you when the booster can go.
Can I put a child seat in front of the airbag?
A rear-facing seat may not be placed on a front seat with an active airbag, so the airbag must be deactivated first. In a car with no seat belts at all, a child under 3 may not be carried, however short the trip.
Who is responsible for securing the child?
The driver is responsible for making sure every passenger under 15 is secured in the car. That applies when you drive other people's children too, so the fine and the clip land on you, not on the parents.
What is the penalty for an unsecured child?
2,000 kr, 1,000 kr to the Victim Fund and a clip on the licence. In occasional transport, in a taxi, or when there is no room for a third child seat, a child of 3 and above may use the ordinary belt in the back.
🔎 Common searches
What people search to land here:
- “can I drive without child seat denmark”
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- “booster child height”