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Correct Child Restraint and Booster Seat use in rental cars is critical.
Travelling with infants and young children can be rewarding, challenging, and usually a healthy combination of both!
One thing that will always be the most important factor to consider is the use of an appropriate child restraint to ensure all of your family reach their destination in safely and comfort.
Given the size and unwieldy nature of child restraints in general, it makes sense to choose a rental car provider that can not only supply a reliable late model vehicle, but also supply and help with the fitting of an approved child restraint suited to the age and size of your most precious cargo!
OCR Car Rentals stock a comprehensive range of late model child seats and booster seats from reputable brands such as Mothers Choice, Baby Love and Infasecure. Our friendly staff are fully trained in their fitment, and whilst the final responsibility for installation and use remains the driver’s, OCR staff are happy to help with selection, fitting and advice regarding the ideal positioning and use of the child seat.
In Queensland, the laws regarding child safety restraints specify the types of seats required by children by age and size. Heavy penalties apply to drivers of vehicles based on each child found not to be travelling in an approved and properly fitted and adjusted child seat.
All children up to and including 7 years of age must be restrained while driving in a child seat manufactured to Australian Standard (AS) 1754. Approved seats can be identified by an AS sticker. Non-Australian manufactured child seats can NOT be used in Queensland unless they comply with AS/NZS 1754.
Children under 4 may not travel in the front seat of any vehicle with more than 1 row of seats.
Children from 4 – 6 may only occupy a front row seat (while suitably restrained) only if all the rear seats are already occupied by other children under 7 years of age.
Up to the age of 6 months, infants must be seated in a rear facing child restraint with an inbuilt harness and rear tether strap. OCR Car Rentals staff can supply and help fit a range of convertible-type restraints that can be fitted rearward facing for safety and compliance.
From 6 months to 4 years, children must travel in an approved child seat that can be fitted in the rear or forward facing position. The child seat must have an inbuilt harness and be installed and adjusted correctly in relation to the height of the child.
While the child may legally transition to the forward facing position, babies up to the age of 2 are still recommended to remain in the rear facing position, or until their shoulders reach past the shoulder-height markings on the restraint.
From the age of 4 children may progress to an approved child booster seat, utilizing the cars 3 point lap sash seatbelt as the primary method of restraint, so long as they are above the minimum height to do so and can remain suitably restrained for the duration of the journey.
While the child may legally transition to a booster seat, it is recommended that they remain in a forward facing child seat with inbuilt harness until their shoulders reach past the shoulder-height markings.
By selecting the appropriate child restraint when booking your rental vehicle, you can be sure that your child will travel comfortably and safely at all times while on holiday and in line with government requirements.
Not having to remove, transport and fit your own child restraint will free up your time and luggage capacity for other items, a handy addition to be sure when travelling with young children.
OCR’s child seats and booster seats are kept clean and maintained, including a thorough inspection before every rental for signs of wear or damage.
So next time you are travelling with young children, ensure their safety is paramount by hiring an approved child safety seat or booster from OCR.
