Once your child reaches a minimum age, height, and weight, they may finally transition from sitting in a booster seat to using a seatbelt. However, just because they’re allowed to switch to seatbelts doesn’t mean that they’re legally permitted to sit in the front seat of a car in Ontario. Failure to meet the legal minimum age can result in a fine and even demerit points for the driver, as they are responsible for the child’s safety.
This guide explains the legal age for sitting in front, the penalties for failing to secure a child’s seat safety, what it could mean for your car insurance, and how to know if your child is ready to sit in the front seat.
When Can a Child Sit in the Front Seat in Ontario?
Technically, children in Ontario can legally ride in the front seat as soon as they turn 8 (the legal age of using a seatbelt). Ontario law does not set a specific age for a child to ride in the front seat legally. Instead, seat placement depends on the child’s size, booster seat status, and the presence of an active airbag.
| Child Status | Can Sit in Front Seat? | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Still requires a booster seat (under 8 years old, <36 kg, <145 cm) | ❌ Not allowed if airbag is active | Illegal under Ontario Regulation 613 |
| Outgrown booster seat (meets any 1 of: 8+ years old, 36+ kg, 145+ cm) | ✅ Legally allowed | Safer in the back seat if under 13 — Ontario car seat guide |
| No back seat available + airbag is off or vehicle has no airbag | ✅ Permitted (if in appropriate child seat) | Still safest in rear seating positions |
| Rear-facing child seat with active airbag present | ❌ Strictly prohibited | Danger of fatal injury in a crash |
Children who still require a booster seat (based on weight and height) cannot legally sit in a front seat with an active airbag unless it can be turned off. Once a child meets the booster seat exit criteria, they may legally ride in the front seat, but it’s still not recommended for those under 13 due to airbag risks.
Can Letting Your Child Sit in the Front Seat Raise Your Insurance Premium?
Simply letting your child sit in the front seat won’t necessarily raise your premiums as long as you follow the rules as outlined by the Highway Traffic Act. However, seating children in the front seat can raise your premiums if you do it wrong. If you’re caught failing to secure your child in the front seat, you’ll get fined and hit with demerit points.
With demerit points on your licence, insurers can see that you’ve committed some traffic offences. When it comes time to renew your car insurance policy, you may be assigned higher rates.
How Improper Child Seating Affects Your Insurance Claim
Proper child seating in your car is regulated by Ontario law. Therefore, if you don’t provide proper child seating during your trips like using a proper booster seat according to the regulations, you’re breaking the rules and may encounter problems during your insurance claims process.
Improper child seating won’t necessarily invalidate any insurance claims after an accident, but it may reduce your insurance payout because you didn’t take the proper safety measures.
Safety Reminders for Children Sitting in the Front Seat
Even with a seatbelt on, it’s best to observe certain safety reminders to avoid injuries in the event of a car accident. Here are some things to double-check to make sure your child is sitting safely in the front seat:
- Make sure their seat is moved back as far as possible while allowing enough room for a passenger sitting in the back.
- Remind your child not to lean against the door or have their feet propped up on the dashboard. Your child should be sitting up straight in their seat at all times.
- Check if the lap belt fits snugly on your child’s hips.
- Make sure the shoulder belt fits properly across the middle of your child’s shoulder. This keeps your child comfy during car rides and makes it less likely that the belt will slip off if you crash or if you suddenly stop.
- Straps should always be tight, but not so snug that breathing and movement are too restricted. This is especially important if your child is wearing heavy clothing.
Penalties for Failing to Follow Child Car Safety Requirements
In Ontario, drivers are responsible for making sure that all children under the age of 8 are secured in booster seats or the appropriate child car seat. They are also supposed to make sure every passenger under the age of 16 is properly wearing their seatbelts, regardless of where they sit in the car.
These legal requirements apply even to visiting drivers. Failure to secure a child under your care as a driver is punishable under the Highway Traffic Act. If you’re convicted, you may be fined $240 and given two demerit points on your Ontario driving record.
While demerits and violations only stay on your Ontario driving record for two years, insurers may check as far back as 10 years into your driving record to assess the risk of offering you car insurance. This means even your previous demerits for not securing children’s car seats can still affect your car insurance premiums.
Having too many demerits and violations can also result in the suspension of your Ontario licence. If you’re unsure how to restore your driving privileges, read our guide to learn how to deal with a suspended licence in Ontario.
Key Advice from MyChoice
- To keep your children safe in the front seat, move the seat as far back as possible and remind them not to prop their feet on the dashboard.
- Always buckle your children into their seatbelts tightly.
- Getting caught seating your child improperly may result in fines and demerits, which may increase your insurance premiums.