I have a ford & if they turn one off, then they are all off so I didn't do it.  I just put dd as far back as possible if she is ever in the front.  It is if the child under 12 is not in the appropriate child seat, that it is illegal to sit in the front.

They can turn that air bag off at the garage I am sure, can't say I know about it having to be a vauxhall car seat, maybe that's just sales talk?

I have a vauxhall astra, and i have 2 kids so cant fit 3 seats in the back. i used to have a meriva and i asked a vauxhall garage about deactivating it and they said it can only be done with a vauxhall car seat. dont know how true that is, may try a different garage. my nephew is very tall and is the height of a 6-7 year old already so i'll speak to my sis. dont think it will be often but just thought it might help her. thanks for all your comments.

I couldnt turn mine off manually either so took it to the garage and they did it for me-they do charge you but its ones of those things thats a necessity if it poses a risk to lo. Have a look in the guide that came with your car and see what advice it gives about getting it turned off.

What car do you have that won't fit a child seat in? Just so I never consider it for a family car for us.

My old car also said no children under 12 in the front seat as it was a 3 door and a baby on the way, we sold it for that reason thinking we would be stuck with him in the back for years.

But the car I have has plenty of room in the back now.

In my car ,on the front passenger sun visor is a safety warning notice that says no child under the age of 12 should travel in the front passenger seat due to the air bag. Probably overkill on their part to cover themselves but it is there for a reason - its possible.

My dd is five and there have been times when she's had to go in the front in her seat. I always move the seat as far back as possible. I don't know how big airbags are but she's a long way from the dashboard.

Legally booster seats are allowed in the front seat but it is not recommended. An airbag is designed for a adult of average height and people/children below this average can sustain injury in the case of a airbag activation. I know because my airbag deployed in a low impact collision and i ended up with 2 black eyes and a broken nose. Incredibly an airbag can even cause fatal injury in people below its working level.

Just to add think its seats with harness fasteners stage 1 and 2 seats, think its something to do with them not being able to move, too small as they may  suffocate.In stage 3 / booster seaats they use seat belts and have the ability to move as we do.  hth

Yes, you can.  Just slide the seat so it is not too far forward.  It is just the rear facing that is not allowed.

i can not turn my airbag off in the passenger seat of my car. i am thinking of taking my 5 year old nephew out a few times in the summer but cant fit him in the back in his seat. he only has a booster does anyone know if this is ok in the front with an airbag? is it only rear facing seats that can not be in the front with an airbag or all seats? i'm confused.