Safety equipment, seat belts, child restraints and helmets
Seat belts
Every occupant must wear a seat belt where one is fitted, front and rear. The driver is responsible for ensuring passengers under 15 are correctly restrained.
Children
- Children shorter than 135 cm must use an approved child restraint suited to their weight and height.
- Never place a rear-facing child seat in front of an active airbag.
- A child may not travel on an adult lap; a belt shared between two people is illegal.
- The belt should be low across the hips and over the shoulder, not the neck.
Helmets
Motorcyclists and moped riders must wear an approved helmet. Bicycle helmets are compulsory for children under 15 in Iceland; adults are strongly advised to wear one. Replace a helmet after any impact.
Worked example
A four-year-old who is 100 cm tall travels in the back seat. A booster cushion alone is not appropriate; the child needs a child seat or booster with a backrest that routes the belt correctly. The test rewards the height rule, not the child's age.
Traps
Assuming rear seats are exempt; using a second-hand seat with unknown history; putting a rear-facing seat in front of an airbag; treating a bicycle helmet as optional for a 10-year-old.