Uber requires you to bring your own car seat for children, and the driver is not responsible for installing it
Uber does not provide car seats. If you're traveling with a child who needs one by law in your state, you must bring your own car seat and install it yourself before the ride begins. The driver cannot help you install it, and Uber's standard service does not include car seats as part of the ride.
This is different from some other services. Uber does offer Uber Car Seat in select cities, which is a separate service where the vehicle comes with a car seat already installed. But this service is not available everywhere, and you need to request it specifically when you book — it will not appear as an option in all locations.
Key Takeaways
- Standard Uber rides do not include a car seat, and you must bring and install your own if your child needs one.
- Uber Car Seat is a separate service available in some cities that provides a vehicle with a car seat already installed.
- You are responsible for making sure the car seat meets your state's car seat laws and is properly installed before the ride starts.
- If Uber Car Seat is not available in your area, you will need to use a different transportation service or bring your own car seat to a standard Uber.
What Uber Car Seat includes when it's available
When Uber Car Seat is offered in your city, the vehicle arrives with a forward-facing car seat already installed. You do not need to bring your own seat or install anything yourself. The car seat is cleaned between rides and meets federal safety standards.
To request this service, open the Uber app and look for the car seat option when you select your ride type. It will only appear if the service operates in your location. The price is higher than a standard Uber ride because you are paying for the vehicle and the car seat service together.
Uber Car Seat is currently available in a limited number of cities. You can check whether it's offered where you are by opening the app and attempting to book a ride — if the option does not appear, the service is not running in your area yet.
Which cities and states have Uber Car Seat
Uber Car Seat has been rolled out to select markets, but the list changes. Cities where it has been available include parts of California, Texas, and other states, but availability is not consistent across all areas of those states.
The best way to learn about it's available to you is to open the Uber app, enter your pickup location, and see whether "Car Seat" appears as a ride option. If it does not show up, the service is not currently operating in your area. Uber's website does not publish a complete list of cities where the service runs.
What to do if you need a car seat and Uber Car Seat is not available
If Uber Car Seat is not offered in your location, you have a few options. You can bring your own car seat in a standard Uber and install it yourself before the ride begins. Make sure the seat meets your state's car seat laws for your child's age and weight.
Another option is to use a different rideshare service. Lyft also offers a car seat option in some cities, though like Uber, it is not universally available. You can check the Lyft app to see if that service is available where you are.
If neither rideshare service offers a car seat option in your area, you may want to use your own vehicle or arrange a ride with someone you know who can help with car seat installation.
Car seat laws and what you're responsible for
Every state has its own car seat laws based on a child's age and weight. Most states require children under a certain age (often 7 or 8) or under a certain height or weight to use a car seat or booster seat. You are responsible for knowing your state's law and making sure your child is in the correct seat for their size.
When you bring your own car seat to an Uber, you are also responsible for installing it correctly. The driver cannot help with installation, and Uber does not provide instructions. If you are unsure how to install your car seat, check the manufacturer's manual or watch an installation video before you book the ride.
If you are stopped by police while riding in an Uber with a child who is not in the correct car seat, you — not the driver — can be cited for violating your state's car seat law. This is why it's important to bring the right seat and install it properly.
What happens if you don't have a car seat when you need one
If you arrive at your Uber pickup without a car seat and your child needs one by law, the driver may refuse the ride. Uber's policy allows drivers to decline rides if they believe a child is not safely secured. This protects both the child and the driver from liability.
If a driver does accept the ride without a car seat, you are taking a legal risk. In most states, riding without the required car seat is a violation, and you could be fined if stopped. The child is also at greater risk of injury in a crash.
How to prepare for an Uber ride with a child
Before you book an Uber with a child who needs a car seat, check whether Uber Car Seat is available in your area by opening the app. If it is, you can request it and the seat will be ready when the vehicle arrives.
If Uber Car Seat is not available, bring your own car seat and plan to arrive at your pickup location a few minutes early so you have time to install it before the driver arrives. Make sure you know how to install the seat correctly — if you have never done it before, practice at home first or watch an installation video.
Keep your state's car seat law in mind when choosing which seat to bring. If your child has outgrown their current seat, get a new one before the ride. Having the right seat installed correctly is the best way to make sure the ride goes smoothly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a booster seat instead of a car seat in an Uber?
It depends on your state's law and your child's age and weight. Some states allow booster seats for children over a certain age or weight, while others require a full car seat. Check your state's specific requirements before the ride. Uber Car Seat vehicles come with forward-facing car seats, not booster seats, so if you need a booster, you would need to bring your own.
What if the car seat doesn't fit in the Uber?
Some car seats are bulky and may not fit easily in a standard vehicle. If you're concerned about fit, you can try installing the seat at home in a similar-sized car first to see if it works. If the seat truly does not fit, you may need to use a different transportation option or consider whether a different car seat model would work better for rideshare travel.
Can I install a car seat in the front seat of an Uber?
No. Car seats should always be installed in the back seat for safety. Uber drivers will not allow a car seat in the front, and it violates safety guidelines. Always install the car seat in the back seat, behind either the driver or the front passenger.
Do I have to pay extra for bringing my own car seat?
No. If you bring your own car seat to a standard Uber ride, there is no additional charge. You only pay the regular ride fare. Uber Car Seat is a separate service with its own higher price because the vehicle and car seat are provided.
What if the driver refuses my ride because I don't have a car seat?
The driver has the right to decline. If this happens, you will not be charged for the ride. You can then either find a car seat and request another Uber, or use a different transportation method. Having the correct car seat ready before you request the ride prevents this situation.