When you’re towing a kid in a new city without a car, it can be tempting to strap him in an Uber of Lyft—sans car seat—“just this one time.” Hidden cameras have discovered that drivers have been letting passengers do so. (“If you’re all right with it, I’m okay with it,” one driver said to an undercover mom.) But the laws of physics don’t change when you’re on vacation. Car seats save lives (and in most places, are required by law), whether you’re cruising around your neighborhood or in a town on the other side of the world.
Yes, you can ride with a car seat in an Uber and Lyft (and if for any reason, your driver doesn’t want you to, call for another driver). Both ride service companies offer car seats in some cities, but the models they use might not work for every kid. Here’s what you should know before you get in the car.
Uber
Uber offers a service called Uber Car Seat (sometimes called uberFAMILY) for its uberX vehicles in New York City, Washington, D.C., Philadelphia, and Orlando. To request a vehicle with a car seat, open the Uber app, select the uberX vehicle type, and then tap the “car seat” option. A $10 surcharge will be added to your trip.
The vehicle will have one car seat—a couple years ago, the standard car seat was the IMMI Go, but today’s vehicles might use different brands. The seat will be a forward-facing model for a child who is at least 12 months old and 22 pounds and 31 inches, according to Uber’s website. A child is too big to ride in the car seat at 48 pounds or 52 inches.
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Uber states that you as the parent or caregiver are responsible for examining the car seat to make sure it’s installed properly. It’s a good idea to call the driver once you request the ride to confirm that the car seat is available (I’ve heard some parents say that some cars arrived only having the base) and that they park in a safe spot where you can take the time to get both the car seat and your kid properly secured.
Lyft
Right now, Lyft only offers vehicles with car seats in New York City. To request one, open the Lyft app, select the “car seat” ride type, set your pickup and drop-off locations, and request the ride. You’ll be charged a fee of $10 on top of your ride fare.
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Lyft uses the IMMI Go car seat. Your child must be at least 12 months old and 22 pounds and 31 inches. A kid is too big to ride in the car seat at 48 pounds or 52 inches.
Drivers are responsible for installing and uninstalling the car seat at the beginning and end of each ride. According to Lyft, they’ve been trained in proper car seat installation and must pass a test to be part of the car seat program. You as the parent or caregiver are responsible for safely securing your child in the seat.
Ride With Your Own Car Seat
If your child doesn’t meet the size requirements for the car seats the companies offer, or if you simply prefer to use something you’re already comfortable with, bringing your own car seat is always an option. For my five year old, we carry the BumbleBum Inflatable Travel Booster Car Seat when we travel. You just blow it up when you need it, and then deflate it and stick in your bag when you don’t. Several parents I heard from also love the Cosco Scenera. It’s lightweight and less than $50 at Walmart.
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