Uber does not provide car seats, and the law in your state determines whether you must bring your own
Uber's standard UberX service does not include car seats. If your child is young enough to legally require one in your state, you have two options: bring your own car seat and install it in the Uber vehicle, or use Uber's car seat service if it is available in your area. Most states require children under a certain age or weight to ride in a car seat, and that requirement does not change just because you are in a rideshare vehicle instead of a personal car.
The specific age and weight at which a car seat is no longer required varies by state. Some states require car seats until age 8 or until a child reaches 57 inches tall, while others have different thresholds. You are responsible for knowing your state's law and following it, whether you are driving your own vehicle or riding in someone else's.
Key Takeaways
- Uber does not supply car seats with UberX rides, so you must either bring your own or use Uber's car seat service if available in your city.
- Your state's car seat laws explore to rideshare vehicles, and you can be cited if your child is not properly restrained according to state law.
- Installing your own car seat in an Uber takes a few minutes and requires the same steps as installing it in any other vehicle.
- Uber's car seat service, called Uber Car Seat, is only available in select cities and must be requested through the app when you book your ride.
- If you travel frequently with a young child, learning to install a car seat quickly or using Uber Car Seat consistently is more practical than relying on standard UberX rides.
How to install your own car seat in an Uber
If you own a car seat and want to bring it with you, installation in an Uber vehicle works the same way as in your own car. Most car seats use either the vehicle's seat belt or the LATCH system (Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children), which consists of two metal anchors built into the vehicle's back seat. Check your car seat's manual to see which method it uses, then locate the anchors or seat belt in the Uber vehicle's back seat.
Bring the car seat with you when you request the ride. Once the driver arrives, let them know you will be installing a car seat before you get in. Most drivers expect this and will wait while you find it. The installation usually takes 3 to 5 minutes if you are familiar with your car seat. If you are not sure whether the car seat is installed correctly, many fire departments and hospitals offer free car seat installation checks.
The main drawback to this method is that you have to carry the car seat with you every time you take an Uber with your child. For a single trip, this is manageable. For frequent rides, it becomes cumbersome.
Using Uber Car Seat when it is available
Uber offers a service called Uber Car Seat in some cities, which sends a driver in a vehicle that already has an infant or child car seat installed. You request this service through the Uber app the same way you would request a standard ride, but you select the car seat option instead of UberX. The car seat is already in place, so you straightforward place your child in it when you get in the vehicle.
Uber Car Seat costs more than a standard UberX ride — the exact price varies by city and demand. You can see the price before you confirm the ride, just as you would with any other Uber service. The service is only available in select cities, so check your app to see if it is offered where you live. If it is not available in your area, you will not see it as an option when you open the app.
This service is most useful if you take Uber regularly with a young child and do not want to install and remove a car seat each time. It is also useful if you do not own a car seat or do not want to transport one.
What your state's car seat law actually requires
Car seat laws vary significantly by state. Some states require a car seat or booster seat until a child turns 8 years old or reaches a certain height, usually between 4 feet 9 inches and 5 feet 7 inches. Other states have different age cutoffs or weight requirements. A few states allow children to transition to a seat belt alone at a younger age than others.
The safest approach is to check your state's Department of Transportation or highway safety website, which will list the exact requirements. You can also call your local police non-emergency line and ask. Knowing the law matters because if you are in an accident or pulled over, you could be cited for not having your child properly restrained, and that citation applies regardless of whether you are in your own car or an Uber.
If you are traveling to another state with your child, check that state's law before you arrive. A car seat setup that is legal in your home state might not meet another state's requirements.
When you can use a regular seat belt instead
Once your child meets your state's requirements — usually by age and height — they can ride in an Uber with just a regular seat belt, the same as any adult passenger. At that point, you no longer need to bring a car seat or book Uber Car Seat. Your child straightforward buckles the seat belt like any other passenger.
Do not transition to a regular seat belt before your child meets your state's legal requirements, even if the child seems tall or mature enough. The law exists because younger children's bodies are not developed enough to be safely restrained by an adult seat belt alone in a crash.
What happens if you do not have a car seat and need to travel
If you need to take an Uber with a young child and do not have a car seat, your options are limited. If Uber Car Seat is available in your area, that is the simplest choice. If it is not available, you have a few paths forward: you can rent a car seat from a car rental company or a specialized car seat rental service, you can purchase an inexpensive car seat if you do not already own one, or you can ask a friend or family member to drive you instead.
Some car rental companies rent car seats for a daily fee, and some cities have car seat rental services that deliver to your location. These options cost money but may be worth it if you only need a car seat for a short period. If you travel with a young child regularly, buying a car seat is usually more economical than renting one repeatedly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get a ticket for not having a car seat in an Uber?
Yes. Rideshare vehicles are subject to the same car seat laws as personal vehicles. If you are pulled over or in an accident, you can be cited for not having your child properly restrained according to your state's law. The citation applies even though you are not the driver.
Does Uber Car Seat work with booster seats?
Uber Car Seat availability and what type of seat it provides varies by city. Some cities offer infant car seats, some offer booster seats, and some offer both. Check the app in your area to see what is available, or contact Uber support to ask what type of seat is provided in your city.
What if the Uber driver refuses to wait while I install a car seat?
You can cancel the ride without penalty if the driver is unwilling to wait for you to install a car seat. Request another ride and let the next driver know upfront that you will need a few minutes to find the seat. Most drivers are accommodating, but if you encounter resistance, canceling and trying again is faster than arguing.
Is it safe to use a car seat in an Uber?
Yes, as long as the car seat is installed correctly. Uber vehicles are regular passenger cars that meet the same safety standards as any other vehicle. The car seat works the same way in an Uber as it does in your own car. Make sure the seat is snug and does not move side to side or front to back before you place your child in it.
Can I use a car seat from a different child in an Uber?
Yes, as long as the car seat is in good condition and has not been in a serious accident. Check the car seat's manual or the manufacturer's website to see if it has an expiration date — many car seats expire 6 to 10 years after manufacture. If the seat is expired or damaged, it should not be used.