How to Ride With a Car Seat in Uber or Lyft
When you haul your child to a new city without a car, it might be tempting to tie them to Uber of Lyft – without a car seat – “just this time.” A 2018 hidden camera investigation found drivers allowed passengers to do this. (“If you’re okay, I agree,” one driver told the mystery mom.) But the laws of physics don’t change when you ride an Uber. Car seats save lives (and in most cases they are required by law) whether you are traveling in the surrounding area or traveling in an unfamiliar city.
Yes, you can ride with a car seat in Uber and Lyft (and if, for whatever reason, your driver doesn’t want to let you install one, call another driver ). Both service companies offer car seats in some cities, but the models they use may not be suitable for every child. Here’s what you should know before getting in your car.
Uber
Uber only offers a service called Uber Car Seat for its uberX vehicles in New York City. To request a car with a car seat, open the Uber app, select your uberX vehicle type, and then click on the car seat option. A surcharge of $ 10 will be added to your trip.
There will be one car seat in the car – a couple of years ago the standard car seat was the IMMI Go , but today different brands can be used in cars. The company indicates only that the place will be the front model for the child that is at least 12 months and 22 pounds and 31 inches, according to the Web – Uber site . The child is too big to ride in a car seat, weighing 48 pounds or 52 inches.
Uber states that it is your responsibility as a parent or guardian to inspect your car seat to ensure it is properly installed. Once you request a ride, it’s a good idea to call the driver to confirm that a car seat is available (I’ve heard some parents say that some cars only arrived with the base) and that they are parked in a safe place from where you can leave. time to properly secure the car seat and your baby.
Lyft
Lyft also currently only offers cars with car seats in New York. To request a ride, open the Lyft app, select a car seat ride type, select pickup and drop-off locations, and request a ride. You will be charged $ 10 on top of the trip.
Lyft uses an IMMI Go car seat. Your baby must be at least 12 months and 22 pounds and 31 inches. The child is too big to ride in a car seat, weighing 48 pounds or 52 inches.
Drivers are responsible for installing and removing the car seat at the beginning and at the end of each trip. According to Lyft, they have received training to properly install car seats and must pass a test to participate in the car seat program. It is your responsibility as a parent or guardian to securely secure your child in the seat.
Drive your own car seat
If your child does not meet the size requirements of the car seats offered by the companies, or if you simply prefer to use something that is already comfortable for you, you can always bring your own car seat with you. For my child, when we travel, we carry the BumbleBum inflatable booster seat with us . You just blow it up when you need it and then deflate it and put it in your bag when it doesn’t. Several parents I hear from love the Cosco Scenera too . It’s lightweight and less than $ 50 at Walmart. This post was originally published in May 2018 and was updated on October 30, 2020 to include updated information on changes to the car seat regulations of various companies.