Iceland Car Seat Laws Explained: What Every Visiting Family Needs to Know

By Johanna Georgsdóttir Verified Expert

Iceland has a reputation for being one of the safest countries in the world, making it an excellent destination for families with young children. However, traveling with little ones means meeting car seat requirements. Understanding Iceland’s car seat laws will help you keep your child safe while being mindful of the local laws.

Car seats in Iceland must meet European safety standards, but Iceland has its own enforcement rules. Here’s everything you need to know about child and baby car seats in Iceland to prepare for your trip.

Basic Legal Rules for Child Car Seats in Iceland

First, we’ll go over the basic legal rules about child car seats in Iceland. These rules are likely similar to those in your home country, but it’s critical to understand the details to meet local legal requirements. You’ll spend a lot of time on the road, and your child’s safety is paramount.

When Is It Mandatory to Use a Child Seat or Booster Seat in Iceland?

Iceland’s car seat laws dictate that all children under 135 cm (53 inches/4 feet 5 inches) must be in a child car seat in a vehicle at all times. The type of seat varies based on the size and age of the child, but they cannot simply use a seat belt until they reach the designated height. The recommendation, however, is to keep a child in a booster seat until 150 cm (59 inches/4 feet 11 inches) to ensure the seat belt fits properly.

Is It Legal to Transport a Child With Only a Seat Belt for a Short Trip?

Some parents make the mistake of thinking it’s okay to travel a short distance without a child car seat. However, doing so in Iceland is breaking the law. It is required to secure your child in an appropriate car seat whenever you are driving in the car, regardless of the distance traveled.

What Is the Driver’s Legal Responsibility?

The responsibility of using an appropriate child safety seat falls solely on the driver of the vehicle. If you are driving, you must make sure all children under the height limit are secured in the correct car seat before you start your journey. If not, you will be subject to a fine of 30,000 ISK ($245 USD/207 EUR) per child per instance.

Types of Seats and Correct Use According to Regulations

Iceland’s car seat laws cover the types of seats that should be used and how to use them correctly based on the height, weight, and age of the child. Knowing which regulations apply to your child before you visit is essential.

How Does Icelandic Law Define an “Appropriate Seat?”

What does it mean to have an “appropriate seat” for your child? Icelandic law is clear about which types of seats to use. All child car seats and booster seats must meet the European safety standards detailed in ECE R44 or R129/i-Size. The type of seat should be based on the child’s height and weight, and it must be installed correctly.

Seat Categories Explained

There are three basic types of car seats: infant, toddler, and booster. Each one has specific requirements:

When Should You Switch From a Car Seat to a Booster?

It’s always safer to keep your child in a toddler car seat as long as possible. Therefore, you should plan for this option if your child is younger than 4 and weighs less than 18 kg (40 lbs.). While you can use a booster seat starting at 15 kg (33 lbs.), it is safer to wait as long as possible without exceeding the car seat limits.

How Long Is It Recommended to Transport Children Rear-Facing in Iceland?

Iceland’s car seat laws don’t specifically address when it is allowed to turn a car seat forward-facing, but it is recommended to keep children rear-facing as long as possible, up to 4 years old. Your child should be at least 15 months old before facing forward, but young children are always safer in the rear-facing position for the following reasons:

• Better support for the head and neck
• Reduced spinal load
• Protection against whiplash
• Protection from side-impact injuries
• Reduction in fatal injuries

Front Seat and Airbag Rules

Another common question is whether you can seat your child in the front seat of your rental car. While it is recommended to keep children in the back seat until at least 150 cm (59 inches/4 feet 11 inches), you can install a car seat in the front seat as long as the airbags are disabled. Airbags are designed for safety, but for children, they can be extremely dangerous.

Do the Rules Change If the Car Is Rented?

So what happens if you’re renting a car? Are the rules different for a visitor renting versus someone who lives in Iceland? The short answer is no, the rules still apply to you. Getting a car rental booster seat or baby seat is just as important as having one in your home country. 

The good news is that we offer car seat rentals, so you don’t have to find a way to bring yours from home. In fact, it’s actually better to rent because then you know the car seat you’re using meets European safety standards. However, it’s up to you to request the car seat when you rent the car to ensure one is available.

Renting a Car Seat in Iceland: What Visitors Should Know

Renting a child car seat with one of our vehicles is simple. When booking the vehicle you want, let us know what type of car seat and how many you need, and we will make sure you have them when you arrive.

What Type of Seat Should I Reserve?

We recommend giving us your child’s height and weight when booking your car seat rental, so we can help you choose the most appropriate car seat. You should book:

• An infant seat if your child is under 1 year.
• A baby/toddler seat if your child is between 1 and 4 years old.
• A booster seat if your child is over 4 and under 135 cm.

How Far in Advance Should I Reserve During High Season?

If you’re visiting in the busy summer months between June and August, we recommend booking your car seat as soon as possible. Demand is often high, and supply can be low. If you don’t want to bring your own car seat, it’s best to rent one earlier rather than later.

ISOFIX or Seat Belt Installation?

Most modern vehicles in Iceland are equipped with ISOFIX for properly installing car seats, but seat belt installation is also an option. However, ISOFIX is widely seen as the safest option, anchoring the car seat directly to the vehicle’s chassis, rather than just to the seat. Seat belts can also loosen unexpectedly in a collision.

What Should I Check Before Leaving the Rental Parking Lot?

Once you finish checking in, we suggest you check the following before you even drive off our parking lot:

• The car seat is approved (it should have an orange ECE sticker).
• It is not expired or visibly damaged.
• It is installed correctly and doesn’t move.
• The harness fits your child snugly.
• The airbag is off if the car seat is in the front seat.

If anything seems wrong, let our team know, so we can help you figure it out.

Common Fines and Mistakes

Even though you’re visiting another country, your child’s safety is important. Law enforcement in Iceland is vigilant about making sure children are properly secured in a vehicle, with fines starting at 30,000 ISK ($245 USD/207 EUR) for each child who isn’t in an appropriate child seat.

What Child Seat Violations Are Most Commonly Fined?

The most common child seat violations we see include:

• No car seat for a child under 135 cm
• Incorrect car seat installation
• Improper harness fit
• Car seat in the front seat with airbags not disabled

Most Common Mistakes Tourists Make

The above violations are seen among locals and tourists, but there are some mistakes that are more likely to occur among visitors, including:

• Assuming a short drive with no car seat is fine
• Wearing thick winter coats under the harness
• Switching to a booster seat too early
• Not adjusting the headrest or belt
• Failing to check the airbag status

Winter-Specific Safety Considerations

If you’re bringing your family to Iceland in the winter, you must consider a few more things regarding car seat use. Bulky coats are common in the colder months, especially if you come from a warmer climate, but it’s important to remove anything bulky before securing the harness. Instead, cover your child with a blanket or drape the coat over them after they are secured.

Roads in winter are also more likely to be slippery, increasing the risk of an accident. Proper car seat installation is especially vital in these situations to keep your child as safe as possible. No one expects to get into an accident, but you will be grateful for a properly installed car seat if you do. Remember to plan extra time for driving to keep you safer on the road.

Traveling With Multiple Children

The number of young children you have plays a big role in which type of car you rent. Not all vehicles can comfortably accommodate multiple car seats. Before you commit to a specific vehicle, contact us to ask whether the car seats you need for your children will fit in the back seat. If not, we can recommend a more suitable option. 

Quick Legal Checklist Before You Start Driving

Here’s a quick rundown of Iceland’s car seat laws:

• Children under 135 cm must be in an appropriate car seat
• The seat must meet your child’s height and weight requirements
• The car seat is installed correctly with minimal movement
• The harness fits snugly with no bulky coat underneath
• Airbags must be deactivated for front seat installations
• The rental seat must have an ECE-approved label
• All children are properly secured before driving

Final Thoughts on Iceland’s Child Car Seat Laws

Iceland’s car seat laws are meant to keep young ones safe while on the roads, even if you’re just visiting. Some of these laws may be similar or the same as those in your home country, but following them is just as important. While some families prefer to bring their own car seats, we recommend renting appropriate car seats with your rental car to ensure they meet European safety standards.

When you rent a car in Iceland with us, you can rest assured that you’re getting modern, certified car seats in excellent condition. We replace all car seats before the 10-year expiration date and inspect them thoroughly in between customers. We’re dedicated to making sure that you can focus more on making memories with your family and spend less time worrying about safety.