Uber with Car Seat

Uber with Car Seat – What All Parents Need To Know

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Uber is a great thing. I love to request an Uber instead of phoning or hailing a cab. I love how easy it is to tap on your app, request a car, and watch as it makes its way to you. The feedback system also makes me feel more comfortable when I get into a car with a stranger, but there is one thing which has always troubled me. Can you use Uber with a car seat?

I have a small child and, though it is not often, there are times when I want to hop in an Uber with my child. I never really knew if Uber had car seats that they could provide or if I should bring my own, or whether I was even allowed to use my own car seat in an Uber.

What are the rules? Well, I decided to find out so that you could have access to the information. Here is what I found.

Does Uber Have Car Seats?

Uber with car seats

The first thing you need to know is that your children are allowed to ride in an Uber, but if they are of an age where they require a car seat then they are legally obliged to ride in a car seat. Now, it would not make sense for all Uber drivers to purchase car seats to make them available for all trips, nor would it be an option for Uber to purchase car seats for all their drivers.

It would also be a logistical nightmare for drivers to carry around car seats in the trunk of their car, ready to be fitted. I cannot even imagine the training needed for drivers to get to grips with fitting a car seat (I have enough rumble myself after doing it a thousand times). Thankfully, ride-sharing companies, such as Uber, are making cars more family friendly.

Uber has two services, known as Uber Car Seat or Uber Family. Both services will come with a forward facing car seat for children who are at least one-year-old.

The child also needs to be between 22-48 pounds in weight and 31-52 inches tall. Of course, this is subject to the car seat laws in your area.

Two things to know about this service is that you cannot use this car seat for children who are younger than one or outside of the weight and height ranges (you can bring your own car seat for younger children, and we will get to that soon). The second thing to know is that there is a $10 surcharge for this service.

The service is limited to certain locations, so you should check within the app to find out if it is available in your area. If it is not, then it may become available soon.

How to Request Uber With Car Seat

It is extremely easy to order an Under with Car Seat or Family. First, you obviously need the app. If you do not have the app already, then you can download it for free through your phone’s app store. Once you have downloaded it, you will need to add your personal and payment details.

Uber payment is made through the app, so you cannot hail an Uber without having payment set up first. The app is secure, so you need not worry about giving your details.

After installation and setup, you can open the app to hail an Uber. You first need to navigate to UberX. The cars in UberX are larger and more luxurious, with more room for a car seat. You then need to select the Car Seat or Family option. This will hail a car which has been set up with one forward-facing car seat and the option of two booster seats.

If your child is too big for the forward-facing car seat, then they can ride in a booster seat. Children over 100 pounds or taller than 67 inches do not need to use a car seat.

Things to remember when using the car seat service is that your driver is responsible for ensuring that your child is strapped in safely, but you should be responsible too. The driver will be trained in using the car seat, but it does not hurt to double check. You also need to remember that there will be a $10 surcharge on the ride.

Can I Use My Own Car Seat With Uber?

If your child is too small for the forward-facing car seat which an Uber driver will provide with the Car Seat and Family services, then you can bring your own. You can bring your own even if your child will fit in one of their seats, but it is handier not to have to carry a seat around with you after the trip.

If you do bring a car set with you, then your child must be legally allowed to use it. It is the responsibility of you and your driver to ensure that the seat is correctly fitted and that the child is correctly strapped in. A driver may refuse to carry your child in the car seat if they deem it unsafe or if it is not compatible with their car.

Take the time to install the car seat properly and have your child strapped in correctly, even if it means you pay for the waiting time of the driver. A small amount of money is a low price to pay for the safety of your child.

Conclusion

No matter the age of your child, there is an option for them to ride in an Uber. You should be prepared to pay a little more for the ride or have a car seat to carry at the end of it. Safety should be your top priority, so always make sure that you are using your car seat correctly.

The good news is that Uber does have car seats that you can use, and you can also use your own car set in an Uber.

Robert

Robert is a father of a young daughter and has developed an expertise in child car seat safety. He is a keen supporter of the use of child safety systems having seen his daughter come away from a side impact collision unscathed due to the use of a child car seat. When he's not spending time reviewing child safety systems he works as a Technical Manager on major construction projects.

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