Can I install a child car seat myself?
Asked by Steven
Do you have to get a child support seat professionally put in, or can you do it yourself?
Answered by CarsGuide
20 Nov 2020In WA, it’s okay for you to fit your own child restraint to a vehicle. The catch is that the legislation requires the child to be caried in “a correctly installed restraint” so you need to instal it absolutely by the book. I contacted the relevant authorities in WA who told me that the biggest problem they see with this is that some people try to mount the restraint on a luggage hook or some other non-approved mounting point for a restraint. But if you follow the instructions that come with the restraint in combination with the car’s owner’s manual, most people manage.
That said, it’s not something to gamble with, so if you have any doubts about this, there’s a list of fitting stations across WA that are set up to guide you through the process in person. You’ll find the list of fitting stations and a lot of other information at https://www.transport.wa.gov.au/licensing/seats-and-seat-belts.asp