In your professional activity, you travel on a daily basis using a commercial vehicle. Outside of work, you are also the proud parent of one or more young children. You may be wondering if you are allowed to drive around with them sitting next to you. The answer is yes!
Children can be transported in a light commercial vehicle (e.g. minivan, van or pick-up). There is, however, one exception - if your employer or insurer has formally forbidden you to do so.
You should also be aware that in Belgium, you have the right to place a child in the front seat of the vehicle, irrespective of their age. Provided, of course, that the seat is properly installed. The child must therefore be seated in a car seat that is adapted to their size and weight, or they must be in a booster seat. It must also, of course, be properly secured. It is fine for taller children (who have reached the minimum height of 1.35m) to just wear a seat belt. If you place a rear-facing child seat in the front of the vehicle, remember to deactivate the airbag. This is a legal requirement, as, in the event of an accident, the baby could be ejected when the airbag is activated. If your van has a back seat, it is still best to seat the children there.
Please note: the rules may be different abroad. In France, a child under 10 years old must be seated in the back seat. Unless all the seats are occupied by other children under the age of 10 or there is simply no seat in the back. In Germany and in the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, a child must travel in a car seat until he/she reaches 1.50m in height. In the Netherlands, the rules are the same as those in Belgium.
