A German booster seat question

[laurie31]

I'm interested in hearing from Germans, or ex-pats now living in Germany, and also from Certified Car Seat Technicians.


First off let me say that I am a self-described "car seat nazi." My girls stayed in boosters until they were 4'9 and 80 pounds. This meant DD#1 was 10, and DD#2 was 9 when we started allowing them to use adult seat belts. The law in our state only says age 6, but I was more concerned with the laws of physics. I didn't care that they were the only ones in their grade still in a booster.

We are going to Germany in September and are planning to rent a car during the time we are in Bavaria. The rest of the time we will use trains, but trains just won't work for the Bavarian part of our trip. We have every intention of obeying German laws to the letter. However, we found out that Germany requires booster seats until a child is 12.

A booster works by positioning the car's seat belt so that it comes across the body properly. But what if a child is too big? I don't want to endanger my child by using a booster. DD11 is now 5'1 and weighs 120 pounds. She also has...shall we say...very feminine curves. She does NOT look 11! In fact, she will be only 3 weeks away from turning 12 when we are in Bavaria. So...do I risk getting some terrible fine if she's not in a booster, or do they have a booster that will fit a child her size?

If her safety were in question, I wouldn't be posting. I absolutely have her safety as my first priority. But I'm afraid a booster would NOT be safe for her now.



What are the chances that we would "get caught" for DD not being in a booster? If anyone saw her, they'd never guess she was under 12. She's nearly as big as I am, and we even wear the same size shoe!

If we do put her in a booster seat, in order to obey the law, is there one that is safe for her? Maybe Germans have bigger boosters than we have here. (or maybe...they have smaller kids!)

In conclusion, my intent is not to break any law, but rather to keep my DD safe. If someone can assure me that DD will be safe in a German booster, I'll happily rent one along with the car. (ours are long gone, and they would be way too small for her now anyway).

 

[Illuminations_Rocks]

Some googling has determined that it is under 1.5 meters and under 12. So since your oldest is 5'1", which is taller than 4'11", she's fine without the seat.

The links I found also said that the rental car companies'll have the boosters if you request in advance.

 

[laurie31]

Wow, thank you!

The source I had just said 12 years, and I had this silly fear of a police officer pulling us over, inspecting our passports, and seeing that DD was 3 weeks shy of 12 and us getting a huge ticket.

She meets that height requirement now, and in 6 more months there will be no question.

DH is very paranoid about driving in a foreign country, and we just don't want to do anything wrong. Meanwhile, DD11 was *horrified* at the thoughts of going back in a booster after being out for 2 years. She's 11 going on 16, I think. It's not like any of her friends would see her in it over there!

 

[NHdisneylover]

As mentioned above--you do not need a car seat. I have not seen any kids that old in car seats here (DS is 11 and DD13).
Children under 12 may not sit in the front passenger seat of a vehicle though.

The big thing your husband should be aware of is that unless you have a right of way sign (a white diamond with a yello diamon inside of it) the car approaching from your right at ever intersection has the right of way. Meaning you will be driving down a straight road with no stop signs or yeild signs and have to always be looking to see if a car is coming from any street on the right--and if so stop. This seems very hard for Americans and I have seen many, many (mostly minor and injury free thank goodness) wrecks becuase of this.
When on very narrow streets which do not leave room for passing due to parked cars, the car driving on the side which has the parked cars is responsible for getting out of hte way of oncomming traffic. The idea is that you can squish in between the parked cars--it is easier said than done sometimes though
Also, on the autobahn the stay right except to pass concept is truly observed. If you are moving to the left to pass, remember that cars you see comming can easily be driving 200 KPH and will approach much faster than they do in the USA.
Really though, I find it much easier to drive in Germany than I ever did in the US so you and your husband should be fine.
One last piece of advice is that parking can be very tight very often (and just driving down some narrow streets can be interesting). We found it worthwhile to pay extra to rent a car with front and rear parking sensors (I use them even now on my car once in a great while on a very narrow street as well as when parking) while we waited to buy our car. So, that is an option I recommend.
Oh, and the trains are fantastic

PS--Please tel me you saw the irony of calling yourself the car seat Nazi when you posted about going to Germany lol!
PPS--If your plans include Heidelberg and you would like to meet for a pastry please PM me. If the kids are out of school (or you are here overnight and they can meet up after school) I am sure my 13 year old DD would be happy to share "real life" in Germany with your DDs.

 

[Bren's Mom]

It seems that your questions was answered...but if you're still wanting any additional input post over at car-seat.org. There is an international section of that message board and we have a number of moms/car seat fanatics/CPSTs who have lived or are living in Germany currently who are regular posters there.