Rear Facing in the Front Seat
- Nov 22, 2025
- 3 min read
Updated: Mar 10
Many parents are surprised to learn that rear facing in the front passenger seat is not only legal in the UK, but can be completely safe when done correctly. In some families and some vehicles, it is not just acceptable but the best and safest option.
Here’s what parents really need to know.
Is Rear Facing in the Front Legal?
Yes. It is legal to rear face in the front passenger seat as long as the front passenger airbag is fully deactivated.
A rear-facing seat must never be used in front of an active airbag. This is illegal.
If the airbag cannot be turned off, the seat cannot go in the front. Some older vehicles may have the ability to have an airbag switch installed if it was an optional extra available at the time of manufacture (commonly found with Ford’s, Vauxhall’s and Peugeot’s), you can reach out to the vehicle manufacturer for confirmation and they will be able to sign post due to an approved garage to have it fitted. You should not have the switch retrofitted otherwise.
When Might the Front Seat Be a Good Option?
1. Not enough space in the rear seats
Some families simply cannot fit multiple car seats across the back, especially in smaller cars, cars with vehicle manual restrictions, or when transporting three children.
2. Vans, pickups and 2-seater vehicles
Many vans, pickups and sports/luxury vehicles do not have usable rear seats.
In these cases, the front passenger seat is the only option.
3. Shorter rear seatbelts preventing proper installs
Some cars have back-seat seatbelts that are too short to route correctly around belted child seats.
Front passenger belts tend to be longer, allowing a safe and correct installation.
4. A child is distressed, screaming or trying to escape when seated in the back
If a child screams, panics, or repeatedly tries to escape their harness, this creates a significant distraction for the driver.
A calm, monitored child in the front is safer than an unseen, distressed child behind you.
5. Medical, developmental or sensory needs
Some children must be observed more closely.
Rear-facing in the front allows safe visibility without turning around while driving.
In any of these cases, a correctly installed rear-facing seat in the front with the airbag OFF is safer than a forward-facing child in the front, or a compromised or unsafe install in the back.
How to Rear Face Safely in the Front Seat
The airbag must be OFF
Always confirm the airbag indicator shows “OFF” every journey.
Position the passenger seat based on installation needs
Always read your vehicle manual for guidance on vehicle seat positioning when using a rear facing car seat in the front seat. It should be placed wherever:
The installation is safe
There is no buckle crunch (belted seats only)
The child’s head is at least 10cm from the windscreen
You may need to adjust the seat forward or back depending on your child seat and vehicle layout. Providing the vehicle manual does not state otherwise, the child seat can likely touch the dashboard but cannot be braced.
Follow the seat’s manual carefully
Most ERF seats allow front installation as long as the airbag is deactivated.
Check manufacturer instructions for anything vehicle-specific.
Never reactivate the airbag while the seat is installed
Only reactivate the airbag once the child seat is full fully uninstalled. Always remember to turn it back on when transporting adult passengers.
What About Forward Facing in the Front?
Forward-facing in the front is never recommended unless it is the only remaining option, ie the child has outgrown all rear-facing seats up to 125cm/36kg and the vehicle doesn’t have any rear seats.
Rear-facing in the front with the airbag OFF is always the safer alternative to forward facing in the front. Ensure you have read your vehicle manual for airbag enabling/disabling guidance.
FAQs
“My car seat is isofix but I don’t have isofix in the front seat - what do I do?”
You cannot install the seat there if the installation method isn’t available. You would need to purchase a seatbelt installed car seat. Never retrofit isofix.
Isn’t it unsafe to let a child sit in front because of distraction?
A distressed or escaping child in the back is far more dangerous.
Front seat rear-facing setups often reduce distraction significantly.
Can I install an ERF seat in the front?
Yes, as long as the vehicle manual allows it and the airbag is turned off.
