Victoria
Understanding road laws
Safe car travel
Safe and comfortable car travel is important for everyone.
Car seats, booster seats and seatbelts help protect passengers if a vehicle stops suddenly or is involved in a crash. Using the right restraint for a person’s size and needs can reduce the risk of serious injury or death.
Victorian Road Rules
If a person with disability or a medical condition can travel safely in a standard Australian child restraint, booster seat or vehicle seatbelt, the table below shows the minimum legal requirements and best practice recommendations for safer travel.
Age | Road rule | Best practice recommendation |
Under 6 months | Rearward-facing child restraint | Rearward-facing child restraint |
6 months to under 4 years | Rearward-facing or forward-facing child restraint | Rearward-facing child restraint for as long as the child fits, then a forward-facing child restraint with an inbuilt harness |
4 to under 7 years | Forward-facing child restraint or booster seat | Forward-facing child restraint with an inbuilt harness for as long as the child fits, then a booster seat with a lap-sash seatbelt |
7 to under 16 years | Booster seat or vehicle seatbelt | Booster seat until the child fits a vehicle seatbelt properly. Use the five-step test to check when they are ready to use a seatbelt |
16 years and over | Vehicle seatbelt | Vehicle seatbelt |
Alternative restraints and methods of travel
Some people with disability or a medical condition cannot travel safely using a standard child restraint or vehicle seatbelt. If an alternative restraint or method of travel is needed, a medical certificate must be carried in the vehicle.
Examples:
- special purpose car seat
- modified child restraint or vehicle seatbelt
- specialty harness/vest
- buckle cover
- extra recline or positioning support
- travelling in the front row of a vehicle when the person is under 7 years of age.
Taxi travel
In Victoria, taxi drivers are not required to provide child restraints or booster seats, but passengers can bring their own. Taxis must have at least one anchorage point that can be used to install a child restraint or booster seat.
If a suitable child restraint or booster seat is available, it must be used. If one is not available, the road rules below apply.
If a person with disability or a medical condition uses an alternative restraint or method of travel, it can also be used when travelling in a taxi.
Taxi - Under 1 year
Best practice: travel in a child restraint
Road rules:
Must travel in the back seat
Must be carried on an adult’s lap
Must not share the vehicle seatbelt with the adult
Taxi - 1 year and over
Best practice: use a restraint that is appropriate for the person's age and size.
Road rules:
Must travel in their own seat
Must use the vehicle seatbelt
Rideshare travel
In Victoria, the road rules for rideshare vehicles (such as Uber) and hire cars are the same as for private vehicles.
Where to get help
A MACA Certified Professional is an occupational therapist or physiotherapist with specialist training in vehicle transport. They can:
- assess transport needs
- recommend alternative restraints or methods of travel
- recommend strategies and other supports for safe transport
- help you to get a medical certificate needed for a seatbelt or child restraint exemption.
Review of Australian Road Rules
The Australian Road Rules for children under 16 years of age are under review. Subscribe to MACA’s newsletter to keep updated.
