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Hi. I am about to have my third child. The two older children are six and four, and still using booster seats. I cannot fit their booster seats as well as the baby's pod across the back seat of my car (a Toyota station wagon). I really do not want to have to get another car as this one is newish, but I cannot seem to get a definitive answer from anyone regarding putting the eldest child in the front. The issue seems to be the airbag in the front, and the fact that because it is a Japanese car it does not have a switch to deactivate the airbag. The middle seat in the back has a lap belt only. How can I fit the three children safely and legally?

Thanks for your help.

Even though it is not ideal it sounds like you have no other option but to seat your oldest child in the front passenger seat. Ensure the booster seat is fitted if necessary so that the diagonal seat belt doesn't sit across the child's neck and the lap part of the seat belt is against the child’s thighs and not their stomach - judging by the age a booster seat is necessary. Never use a booster seat with a lap belt only (middle seat in the back). Move the front passenger seat all the way back, as far as it can go to the rear of the car. Follow this NZTA linkfor more information on child restraints and airbags.