Uber does not provide car seats — you must bring your own or request a driver who has one
Uber's standard service does not include car seats. If you need to travel with a child, you have two options: bring a car seat with you and install it yourself in the Uber, or use Uber's car seat rental service where available in your city. The car seat rental option is called Uber Car Seat, and it pairs you with a driver who has an installed, child-appropriate car seat ready to use.
Which option works for you depends on whether Uber Car Seat operates in your area, how often you need the service, and whether you own a car seat already. Not all cities have Uber Car Seat available, and availability can change. You can check whether the service exists in your location by opening the Uber app and looking at the ride options available to you.
Key Takeaways
- Uber Car Seat is a separate service available in some cities that pairs you with a driver who has an installed car seat; standard Uber rides do not include one.
- If you bring your own car seat, you are responsible for installing it correctly in the vehicle before the ride begins.
- Uber Car Seat typically costs more than a standard Uber ride and requires you to request it through the app at least a few minutes before you need the ride.
- Car seat availability varies by city and changes over time, so check your app to see whether the service is offered where you live.
- If Uber Car Seat is not available in your area, you can bring your own car seat or use a different transportation service that offers car seats.
How to Request an Uber With a Car Seat Through the App
Open the Uber app and tap the ride type selector at the bottom of the screen. Scroll through the available ride options. If Uber Car Seat appears as an option in your city, tap it. The app will show you the estimated fare, which is higher than a standard Uber ride because the driver has invested in maintaining a car seat.
Enter your pickup and dropoff locations, then request the ride. Uber Car Seat requests typically require a longer wait time than standard rides because fewer drivers offer this service. The app will show you the estimated arrival time before you confirm. Once you request the ride, the driver will head to your location with the car seat already installed in their vehicle.
You do not need to do anything when the driver arrives except get in and buckle your child into the car seat. The driver is responsible for ensuring the car seat is properly installed and appropriate for your child's age and weight. If you have concerns about the car seat's condition or installation, you can cancel the ride and request another one.
Bringing Your Own Car Seat on a Standard Uber Ride
If Uber Car Seat is not available in your area or you prefer to use your own car seat, you can bring it with you on a standard Uber ride. You are responsible for installing the car seat correctly before the ride begins. The driver is not required to help you install it, and Uber does not provide installation instructions or support.
Before you request the ride, make sure you have the car seat with you and know how to install it using either the vehicle's seat belt or the LATCH system (Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children). Installation takes several minutes, so plan to arrive at the pickup location early. Once the car seat is installed and your child is buckled in, you can proceed with the ride.
Some drivers may be uncomfortable with passengers installing car seats in their vehicles, particularly if installation takes a long time or requires moving the front seat. If a driver objects, you have the right to cancel the ride without penalty and request another driver. However, most drivers will allow you to install a car seat as long as you do so safely and do not damage the vehicle.
What to Know About Car Seat Safety in Rideshare Vehicles
Car seats in rideshare vehicles must follow the same safety rules as car seats in personal vehicles. Your child should sit in a rear-facing car seat if they are under 2 years old or weigh less than the car seat's rear-facing limit. Children ages 2 and older or who have outgrown the rear-facing limit should use a forward-facing car seat with a harness. Once a child outgrows the forward-facing car seat, they should use a booster seat until they are tall enough to use the vehicle's seat belt alone (usually around 4 feet 9 inches tall).
The car seat must be installed in a rear seat of the vehicle, never in the front. If you are using your own car seat, double-check that it is installed tightly before the ride begins — the car seat should not move more than an inch side to side or front to back when you push on it. If you are using Uber Car Seat, the driver is responsible for this, but you can ask the driver to show you the installation if you want to verify it yourself.
Uber does not inspect or certify the car seats that drivers use in Uber Car Seat rides. The company requires drivers to maintain their car seats in good condition, but you should visually inspect the car seat when you arrive — check for cracks, missing parts, or visible wear. If the car seat looks damaged or unsafe, cancel the ride and request another one.
Cost and Availability of Uber Car Seat Service
Uber Car Seat costs more than a standard Uber ride. The exact price varies by city and time of day, just like standard Uber fares. The app will show you the estimated fare before you request the ride, so you will know the cost upfront. Because fewer drivers offer this service, wait times are typically longer — sometimes 10 to 20 minutes or more depending on your location and time of day.
Uber Car Seat is not available in all cities. The service is currently offered in select metropolitan areas, but availability changes as Uber expands or contracts the program. To find out whether it is available where you live, open the Uber app, tap the ride type selector, and look for the car seat option. If you do not see it, the service is not currently available in your area.
If Uber Car Seat is not available in your city, your options are to bring your own car seat on a standard Uber ride, use a different rideshare service that offers car seats, or use a traditional taxi or car service that may have car seats available. Some cities have local car services that specialize in child-safe transportation, which you can search for online.
Common Issues and How to Handle Them
If you request Uber Car Seat and the driver arrives without a car seat, or the car seat appears damaged or unsafe, cancel the ride when ready. You will not be charged a cancellation fee if the driver failed to provide the service as described. Request another Uber Car Seat ride, or switch to a standard Uber ride and bring your own car seat if you need to leave right away.
If you are installing your own car seat and the driver becomes impatient or asks you to hurry, take the time you need to install it correctly. Your child's safety is more important than the driver's schedule. If the driver refuses to wait or becomes hostile, cancel the ride and request another driver. You will not be charged if you cancel before the ride begins.
If your child is too large for the car seat provided in an Uber Car Seat ride, or if the car seat is the wrong type for your child's age or weight, you can contact Uber support through the app to report the issue. Describe the problem and provide details about your child's age and weight. Uber may refund part of your fare or credit your account, depending on the situation.
Alternatives to Uber Car Seat in Your Area
If Uber Car Seat is not available where you live, or if you prefer not to use it, several other options exist. Lyft, another rideshare service, offers a car seat option in some cities called Lyft Car Seat. You can check the Lyft app to see whether it is available in your location. The process is similar to Uber Car Seat — you select the car seat option, and a driver with an installed car seat picks you up.
Traditional taxi services and car rental companies sometimes offer vehicles with car seats, though you typically need to call ahead to reserve one. Local car services that specialize in child transportation may also be available in your area. Search online for "car service with car seat" or "child-safe transportation" plus your city name to find local options.
If you travel frequently with a child, buying your own car seat and bringing it on rideshare rides may be more cost-effective than paying the premium for Uber Car Seat or Lyft Car Seat every time. A basic car seat costs between $100 and $300, and a booster seat costs $50 to $150. If you use rideshare more than a few times a month, owning a car seat will likely save you money over time.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use Uber Car Seat if I do not have a car seat with me?
Yes, that is the entire purpose of Uber Car Seat — the driver provides an installed car seat, so you do not need to bring one. The driver's car seat is ready to use when you arrive. If you prefer to use your own car seat, you can bring it on a standard Uber ride instead.
What if my child does not fit in the car seat provided by the Uber driver?
If your child is too large or too small for the car seat in the vehicle, the ride is not safe and you should not proceed. Cancel the ride and request another Uber Car Seat ride, or use a standard Uber ride with your own car seat. Contact Uber support through the app to report that the car seat was not appropriate for your child's size.
Do I have to tip the Uber driver if I use Uber Car Seat?
Tipping is optional and works the same way as a standard Uber ride. You can add a tip through the app after the ride ends, or you can tip the driver in cash. There is no requirement to tip, but many people do as a way to thank the driver for providing the car seat service.
Can I install a car seat in the front seat of an Uber?
No. Car seats must always be installed in a rear seat for safety reasons. If you are bringing your own car seat, install it in one of the back seats. If the Uber driver's vehicle does not have a rear seat (which is extremely rare), you cannot safely use that vehicle for a child and should request a different ride.
What happens if the Uber driver cancels after I request Uber Car Seat?
If the driver cancels, you will not be charged. You can request another Uber Car Seat ride right away. If Uber Car Seat rides are taking a long time to arrive in your area, you may want to switch to a standard Uber ride and bring your own car seat instead to save time.