Can I carry a child in the car without a car seat?
It depends on height: under 135 cm, a car seat is mandatory. The Road Code ties the duty to the child's height, not age. Children up to 135 cm can be carried only if secured with an approved restraint device (car seat or booster) fitted in the car. Children over 135 cm can use the adult belt, adjusted so it doesn't pass over the neck or face. On the front seat, a child can sit only from 12 and with a minimum height of 1.50 m. Beyond the law, experts recommend using a booster up to 150 cm, since only then does the adult belt protect properly. In short: up to 135 cm — seat/booster mandatory; on the front — only from 12 and 1.50 m.
📋 The rules
- Under 135 cm: approved car seat/booster mandatory
- Over 135 cm: adult belt adjusted correctly
- On the front seat: only from 12 and 1.50 m
- The device must be approved and fitted correctly
- Recommended: booster up to 150 cm for safety
🔓 Exceptions
- Child over 135 cm: adult belt, if adjusted correctly
- Rear-facing seat: disable the front airbag
- Booster recommended up to 150 cm, above the legal minimum
⚠️ Penalties & fines
Breaching the rules on the belt and child restraint device is fined with 4–5 fine points (about 810–1,012 lei). From July 2026 the point value rises, so the fine will be higher. Beyond the sanction, the real risk is the child's safety: without a seat, in a crash, the adult belt or the lack of restraint can cause serious injury. To stay compliant: choose an approved seat matched to weight and height, fit it correctly, keep the child in the seat/booster up to 135 cm (ideally 150 cm), don't put them on the front seat before 12 and 1.50 m, and if you use a rear-facing seat in front, disable the airbag.
📎 Official sources
- GEO 195/2002 · Road Code →
- Ministry of Internal Affairs · carrying children →
- Romanian Police · Traffic Directorate →
❓ Frequently asked
Up to what height is a car seat mandatory?
Up to 135 cm. The Road Code ties the duty to the child's height, not age: children shorter than 135 cm must travel in an approved car seat or booster fitted in the car. Over 135 cm they can use the adult belt, adjusted correctly so it doesn't pass over the neck or face.
From what age can a child sit in the front?
A child can sit on the front seat only from 12 and if they're at least 1.50 m tall. Below these thresholds, the child's place is on the rear bench, in a suitable seat or booster. The rule aims at protection in a crash and the correct action of the airbag.
What fine do I risk without a car seat?
Breaching the rules on the belt and child restraint device is fined with 4–5 fine points, i.e. about 810–1,012 lei. From July 2026 the amount rises with the fine-point value. Beyond the fine, the main risk is the child's safety in an accident.
Can I put a rear-facing seat in the front?
Technically yes, but only if you disable the front passenger airbag. An airbag that deploys can seriously injure a child seated facing the rear. As a rule, the safest place for the child's seat remains the rear bench, especially for babies and young children.
Up to what height is a booster recommended?
Although the law requires a seat or booster up to 135 cm, road-safety experts recommend using a booster up to 150 cm. This is the minimum height at which the adult belt can effectively protect the child, passing correctly over the shoulder and hips, not over the neck or abdomen.
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