Rules to Follow While Using a Baby Car Seat in Dubai?

A recent study revealed that the use of specially-designed child seats in cars along with proper seat belts could reduce the risk of serious injury or death by 80%. However, a survey of the parents alarmingly showed that at least 1 parent out of 3 does not own a safe child seat in UAE. 

This figure is indeed alarming considering the UAE government’s introduction of the ‘seat belt law’, which mandates parents to buckle their child to a special child seat in the car. Violation of this law attracts a fine of AED 400 alongside 4 black points on the licence of the driver. 

To ensure the safety of their children and avoid traffic violations, parents in the UAE must be aware of the RTA child seat rules. Let’s find out more about the child seat rules Dubai in this article. 

An Overview of Child Seat Rules in Dubai 

The Traffic Law of UAE (1st July 2017) mandated that –

• Children aged up to 4 years must be strapped in a child seat in the car while on the road. 
• No children aged below 10 years and shorter than 145 cm are allowed to sit in the car's front seat. 

Additionally, it is mandatory for all passengers to wear seat belts while in the car. 

Besides the regulations mentioned above, the child seat rules in Dubai also require the seats to undergo the crash test, have correct labelling, and be classified into age and weight groups. Likewise, the manufacturers must provide a manual on installing the seat belt for their customers to better comprehend the process. 

As mentioned earlier, any violation of this law can lead to fines as well as black points. With that said, parents must understand the safety aspect as well. They must, for instance, try to make their children understand the importance of staying in the child seat and not unstrapping themselves while in the car. 

Importance of Child Seats in Cars

Besides complying with RTA child seat rules, there are several benefits of using child seats in cars that have child passengers -  

• The primary benefit of child seats is that they ensure the safety of the children, which is of utmost importance for any parent. 
• A child seat also takes care of the children's comfort while on the go. 
• Unlike adults, kids don’t fit in the normal seat belts of the car, which can make it difficult for parents to buckle their kids in the normal car seat. On the contrary, a child seat is designed purposefully to ensure the kid is strapped well. 

Your Guide to Buying Child Seats in Dubai

With seat rules in UAE in effect, it is mandatory for you as a parent to fit a child seat in your car for your little one. However, selecting the correct child seat in Dubai is confusing, at least for first-time buyers, considering the wide range of options available in the market. 

Usually, baby car seats in Dubai are available in the following variants based on the child’s - 

• Height 
• Weight
• Age

You will find the following options for child seats while buying one.

• Group 0 to 0+ - Children who are up to 9 or 12 months old and weigh up to 13 kg are suitable for this group.
• Group 1 - It is suitable for children aged between 9 months and 4 years with a weight of up to 18 kg. 
• Group 2 - Children of 3.5 years to 6 years (weighing up to 25kg) are suitable for the seats of this group. 
• Group 3 - Children up to 12 years qualify for this group with a maximum weight of up to 36 kg. 

Important: The above-mentioned figures are for reference purposes only. Depending on the manufacturers, these groups and their specifications may vary. For this reason, you must verify the sizes and your requirements with your manufacturer before purchasing a seat that complies with the baby seat rules UAE. 

You should also consider the fact that children usually grow fast and opt for a seat that can be adjusted accordingly and used for a prolonged period. 

Ramifications and Precautions

With the law mandating child seats in vehicles, it is essential for drivers to maintain clear communication with younger individuals to help them understand the safety advantage of such seats. Similarly, it is also recommended to explain to children the importance of seat belts, which could prevent them from unfastening the seat belts or avoiding their special seats. These simple steps could go miles in preventing injuries in case of accidents prevented. 

How to Buy Child Seats for Vehicles in the UAE?

As mentioned in the previous sections, installing specific seats for babies and children in the UAE is mandatory. However, getting them is pretty straightforward nowadays due to the sheer number of options available. You will find such seats at the leading childcare shops and stores in the UAE. Alternatively, you can opt for the online mode and order them from the comfort of your home. 

Whichever company you select, there are key aspects to be remembered while buying a child seat for your car or similar vehicles. To begin with, the seat should be comfortable for the infant yet firm enough to properly restrain them from jerks and shocks in case of accidents. Another aspect to keep in mind is that the seats should have a provision for flexibility. As the child grows during the specified period, there is always a possibility of a lack of suitability regarding physical dimensions later on. 

Things to Ensure Safe Driving in Dubai

While the child seat rules Dubai are strictly implemented, you must also consider other factors to drive your cars in the UAE without breaking any law. For instance, having a valid driving licence and a car insurance plan are two critical factors you must consider while driving in Dubai.  

In particular, having your car insured is mandatory to drive in UAE and Dubai. If you are found driving a car without an insurance plan, you will be required to pay a hefty fine of AED 500. On top of that, you can also get 4 black points, which can potentially affect your driving records. Thus, besides having a child seat in cars and complying with the child seat rules in Dubai, you also need to have car insurance which provides maximum coverage. 

In case you are overwhelmed by the sheer number of car insurance plans available in UAE, you can continue on our website and get the best car insurance in Dubai for your vehicle. Policybazaar.ae hosts the top car insurance plans from the leading providers in the UAE. With us, you can compare the features and specifics of various plans and choose the right one for you online in a few easy simple steps! 

RTA/Driving License
Roads and Transport Authority (RTA)	Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) Dubai
Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) Sharjah	Transfer Car Registration
Driving License UAE	Driving License in Dubai

Motor Insurance – Another Necessity for Drivers in the UAE

Extending its stringency regarding traffic laws, authorities have made vehicle insurance mandatory in Dubai and the UAE. In case a driver fails to possess this document, they will face heavy fines along with further inspection by the police officers. The type of insurance compulsory is third-party insurance, where the insurance amount is paid to the third-party in case of an accident instead of the policyholder. 

Several leading firms in Dubai provide third-party as well as comprehensive insurance in Dubai, with the latter referring to plans covering both third-party and the policyholder’s vehicle in case of an accident. However, such a multitude of options may appear confusing to customers. In such cases, you can always visit the ‘car insurance’ section on our website where insurances are arranged according to various categories like two-wheelers, cars, and more. The major benefit of exploring car insurance dubai with Policybazaar UAE is that you get to explore various options with all the required details at one site. Moreover, after comparing and selecting the most appropriate option, you can always buy the plan directly from our website for a hassle-free and quick online insurance buying experience.

Key Takeaways

Following the child seat rules in Dubai is necessary to ensure the safety of your child on the roads. These seats are instrumental in protecting your kids in case of an accident. 

As per the RTA child seat rules, children aged up to 4 years must be properly strapped in a child seat. When getting a child seat for your car, make sure to consider various options while considering the height, weight, and age of your child. 

As mentioned earlier, having a valid car insurance plan from a reputable insurer is also necessary to comply with UAE traffic laws and financially safeguard yourself against any losses incurred due to car accidents, theft, and more.

To get started, you can click on the ‘Insurance’ tab on the top of this page and choose the ‘car insurance’ option. You can then fill out the lead form to get to our car insurance quotes page!