Criterion HS114#

If children travel in a motor vehicle while in the care of the service:

• each child is restrained as required by Land Transport legislation
• required adult:child ratios are maintained; and
• the written permission of a parent of the child is obtained before the travel begins (unless the child is travelling with their parent).

Documentation required#

Evidence of parental permission for any travel by motor vehicle. In most cases, this requirement will be met by the excursion records required for criterion HS113. However, services that provide transport for children to and/from the service must also gain written permission from a parent upon enrolment.

Guidance#

How to show you are complying#

If you’re using a vehicle to transport children, adults need to know how to safely restrain them, in line with relevant land transport legislation.  

Before travelling with children in a private motor vehicle, adults must check that:

• every child is properly restrained
• there are enough adults to safely supervise children, keeping in mind adult to child ratios
• parents have provided written permission for children to travel in a motor vehicle.

You can collect parents’ written permission at the time of enrolment or through an excursion form if the parent is not accompanying the child. If you are considering transporting children to and from the service, the accountability for regular transport (outside enrolled and licensed hours) is to be agreed between parents and the service concerned.

There are different requirements for taxis, shuttles and buses#

In most circumstances, you do not have to use child restraints if you travel in taxis, shuttles, and buses. The exception is if a taxi company provides appropriate child restraints.

If you are travelling by bus, and seatbelts are not provided, children must remain seated throughout the journey.