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What the law says
All the latest information on applicable regulations and advice for always travelling safely.
The Highway Code
Article 172 of the Italian Highway Code establishes that “children under 1.50 metres in height must be secured to the seat using an approved restraint system appropriate for their weight, in accordance with the regulations established by the Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport and with the regulations of the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe or equivalent EU directives.
Penalties
Failure to use the required restraint system may result in an administrative fine ranging from €83 to €323 and the deduction of 5 points from the driving licence. In the event of two offences within a 24-month period, the law also provides for the suspension of the driving licence for a period ranging from 15 days to 2 months.
The relevant regulation: ECE R129/03
From 1 September 2024, only child car seats approved under the ECE R129 regulation will be available on the market. This regulation was developed to raise child safety standards in cars and make it easier for parents to choose the right car seat.
The key points:
- Car seats are classified according to the child’s height;
- The use of a rear-facing car seat is mandatory up to 15 months of age;
- Car seats must pass frontal impact, rear impact and side impact tests.
Rear-facing: why?
Children’s neck bones and muscles are not yet sufficiently developed to support the head. In a rear-facing position, the head is better supported and impact forces are distributed more effectively over a larger surface area than in a forward-facing position.
Can ECE R44/04 car seats still be used?
Yes! Until August 2024, retailers can still sell car seats approved under the ECE R44/04 regulation, and consumers who purchased an ECE R44/04 car seat before 1 September 2024 may continue to use it without any time limit and without incurring any penalties.
It is important, however, to use these car seats correctly. They are classified into groups according to the child’s weight (rather than height, as under ECE R129/03), the use of a rear-facing car seat is mandatory up to 9 kg, and side-impact crash testing is not required.
Isofix: the system that makes a difference
Isofix is an international anchorage system that allows the child car seat to be attached directly to the vehicle using 2 dedicated rigid connectors located on the car seat or on its base, without using the vehicle’s seat belts.
The Isofix system ensures maximum installation effectiveness:
- Reduces the risk of incorrect installation;
- The child car seat becomes an integral part of the vehicle;
- Faster installation system: just 3 clicks to install the car seat.
The Isofix system includes an additional anchorage point to prevent the child car seat from rotating or tipping forward in the event of an impact. This anchorage point can be either a Top Tether strap or a support leg.
Isofix and i-Size: the differences
Isofix
Semi-universal system that allows the car seat to be installed in the vehicle using rigid connectors and a third element designed to prevent rotation. It provides greater safety and reduces the risk of incorrect installation compared with models using a traditional installation system.
i-Size
Extension of the ECE R129/03 regulation that ensures compatibility between the child car seat and i-Size-approved vehicles thanks to specific dimensional requirements.
Anti-abandonment devices
Under Italian Law No. 117 of 1 October 2018, it is mandatory to use an anti-abandonment device when transporting children under 4 years of age by car.
Anti-abandonment systems can be:
- Integrated into the vehicle (some cars are equipped with presence and/or weight detection systems that operate when the vehicle is switched off);
- Integrated into the car seat (some car seats are available with built-in sensors and warning systems);
- An accessory for the car seat (devices that can be fitted to the car seat).
