Hungarian Highway Code (KRESZ) rules
The KRESZ is clear:
“In a passenger car […] a child under 150 cm may only be transported when secured in a child safety restraint system designed to match their body size and weight. The child restraint system must be attached to the anchorage points factory‑installed in the vehicle for this purpose, or to the seat belt of the seat, in accordance with the installation instructions provided by the manufacturer.”
(1/1975. (II. 5.) KPM–BM joint decree on the rules of road traffic)
Depending on the child’s age and size, a child restraint system may be an infant carrier, a child seat, or a booster.
How long is a child seat mandatory?
Above 135 cm, if the child is travelling in the rear seat and can be safely secured with the seat’s built‑in seat belt (adapted to their body size), the child restraint system can be omitted.
According to Hungarian Central Statistical Office (KSH) data, most Hungarian children reach 135 cm between the ages of 8 and 11, so until then a child restraint system is required.
Every year, more than ten thousand road accidents with personal injury occur on Hungarian roads; by the end of September 2023, 10,674 such accidents were recorded.
At a speed of 50 km/h, in a frontal collision, for a 15 kg child, the load on the neck can correspond to 40–220 kg depending on the direction of seating.
So it’s clear why using a child seat is mandatory.
ADAC child seat test
Official approval of child restraint systems used to be governed by UN Regulation 44, and from 1 September 2023 it is governed in detail by UN Regulation 129 (i‑Size)—covering requirements, production conformity and labelling.
The German automobile club ADAC (Allgemeiner Deutscher Automobil‑Club), founded in 1903, tests a range of child seats and infant carriers every year.
Many parents use these results as guidance, because ADAC tests set even higher requirements than the regulations.
For example, the conditions of frontal and side impacts match those of Euro NCAP crash tests, and testing is carried out with the latest Q‑series crash‑test dummies, which allow better assessment of injury risk for child occupants of different ages and sizes.
Child seats are evaluated along the following dimensions:
- Safety: the most important factor; it contributes 50% of the final score. Beyond how well the structure protects the child, this includes seat stability, the seat‑belt routing and size adjustment. Safety is always tested in the same test car at 64 km/h frontal impact and 50 km/h side impact. Since 2020 the test car has been a Volkswagen Polo VI; before that (2015–2019) it was a VW Golf VII.
- Usability: ease of handling, buckling/unbuckling the child, installing/removing the seat, and even cleanability.
- Ergonomics: space available in the seat, seating position, space required in the car, and comfort aspects.
- Harmful substances: introduced in 2011; tests for substances such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH), phthalates, flame retardants, phenols, organotin compounds, heavy metals, etc. Surprisingly, there are still seats on the market that contain substances harmful to children.
Final scoring works as follows—on this test, the lower the overall score, the better the seat:
- 0.6–1.5: excellent (these are the best seats)
- 1.6–2.5: good
- 2.6–3.5: average
- 3.6–4.5: sufficient
- 4.6+: insufficient
Like with car crash tests, most manufacturers strive for good results. Currently, almost two‑thirds of models (65%) meet this benchmark.
However, an “insufficient” rating is also not rare: one in ten tested models (11%) received an insufficient score.
Which is the best child seat?
ADAC categorises child seats by life stage: there are versions made for infants, toddlers and (older) children, as well as seats designed for multiple age groups.
It’s important to choose a device that matches the child’s body size, because only then can it provide maximum protection.
| Name | Approved for | Score |
|---|---|---|
| For infants: | ||
| Kiddy Evo‑Luna i‑Size (Isofix) | 45–83 cm | 1.5 |
| Maxi‑Cosi Jade + 3wayFix | 40–70 cm | 1.5 |
| Silver Cross Dream + Dream i‑Size Base | 40–85 cm | 1.5 |
| For toddlers: | ||
| Kiddy Phoenixfix 3 (Isofix) | 9–18 kg | 1.7 |
| Britax Römer Swingfix M i‑Size | 61–105 cm | 1.7 |
| Besafe iZi Modular RF X1 + iZi Modular i‑Size Base | 61–105 cm | 1.7 |
| For children: | ||
| Cybex Solution M SL | 15–36 kg | 1.7 |
| Cybex Solution M‑Fix SL (Isofix) | 15–36 kg | 1.7 |
| Cybex Solution S‑Fix | 15–36 kg | 1.7 |
| Britax Römer Kidfix III M | 15–36 kg | 1.7 |
| Cybex Solution G i‑Fix | 100–150 cm | 1.7 |
| Infant + toddler: | ||
| Joie i‑Spin Safe | 40–105 cm | 1.6 |
| Toddler + child: | ||
| Cybex Anoris T i‑Size | 76–115 cm | 1.5 |
| Infant + toddler + child: | ||
| Axkid One+ | 40–125 cm | 2.1 |
In each category, we listed only the products with the best scores. The table is based on tests from 2015–2023.
Although ADAC continuously improves its methodology, and results from different years are not directly comparable one‑to‑one, the organization still recommends devices from recent years that achieved at least a “good” rating.
You can access more results on adac.de.
What is ISOFIX?
ISOFIX is a quick‑connect system that speeds up installation and removal. It has been mandatory equipment on new cars registered in Europe since 2011.
Correct installation is essential for safety, and without ISOFIX, 27% of parents install the child seat incorrectly.
What is i‑Size?
Instead of weight, i‑Size classification follows height.
Children must be transported rear‑facing until at least 15 months of age; in a collision or hard braking, the child seat supports the baby’s neck and head.
Remember: under the age of 5, the head‑to‑torso ratio is not like an adult’s, so the baby’s neck would otherwise have to support a proportionally larger head.
i‑Size provides enhanced protection in both frontal and side impacts.
Child seats approved under the i‑Size standard can be installed in any vehicle seat with i‑Size approval.
Buying a used child seat?
If you’re considering a used seat, it’s important to know that child restraint systems also have an expiry period, typically around six years.
Normal use, UV radiation and moisture cause material wear and fatigue, which can reduce safety.
Learn the seat’s history and don’t buy one that has been in an accident! In this respect, a seat bought from a trusted acquaintance can be a better option.
Remove the cover and check thoroughly for hairline cracks, deformation, dents, fraying seat belts, missing belt pads, and whether buckles and locking systems work perfectly and the padding isn’t broken.
If everything seems fine, also check whether the seat has been recalled.
How safe is your car?
In the app you can also see European crash‑test results for child occupants (only for tested vehicle types made after 2009).