How to Request a Lyft or Uber with a Car Seat and Why You Should

Here's what you need to know about using a car seat in an Uber, Lyft, or other ride share service or taxi.

By Barbara Russo November 16, 2020

One of the questions I get asked most often is "does the law require parents or Uber to supply car seats?" You can, in fact, request an Uber with a car seat. After all, keeping your child safe when riding in a car is an important responsibility as a parent—especially in taxis and ride shares like Uber and Lyft.

“Motor vehicle injuries are the leading cause of death among children in the United States,” says Christine Nastasi, R.N., B.S.N., T.C.R.N., C.P.E.N., pediatric trauma coordinator at Stony Brook Children's Hospital in Stony Brook on Long Island. “Always buckling children into age-appropriate and size-appropriate car seats, booster seats, and seat belts reduces serious and fatal injuries by up to eighty percent.”

It's easy to install a car or booster seat into your own vehicle, but what if you rely on cabs and ride-share services like Uber and Lyft to get around the city? What are some important rules and best-practice tips you should know when using this type of transportation to commute with your kids?

Ride Shares and Car Services in NYC with Car Seats

While most New York City Taxi and Limousine Commission-licensed cars do not have car or booster seats, passengers with children are encouraged to bring their own. Drivers must allow passengers to install the seats, according to the NYC Taxi & Limousine Commission. And while children ages 7 and younger are permitted to sit on an adult’s lap, according to the TLC, it is safer to use your own car seat.

Requesting an Uber with a Car Seat

Of course, carrying a car seat can be cumbersome, so for parents who prefer to travel light, there are a number of ride-share services that allow you to request a car with a car seat, including Uber Car Seat and Lyft Car Seat Mode. Both companies require the child to meet the age, height, and weight specifications of the car seats provided, so it's important to be sure the car seat is appropriate for your child before ordering your ride.

Parents who choose to bring their own car or booster seat to the rideshare are responsible for the installation of the seat and securing their child properly.

According to the TLC, there are a number of car service companies that offer car and booster seats upon request, including:

Town Car International
Valera Global
Jupiter Car Service
AP Luxury Limousines
All Star Limousine Service
Arecibo Car Service

Each company services the five boroughs and New York City airports.

Car Seat & Booster Seat Safety Tips

Whether you're using your own vehicle, a cab or ride-share service, Nastasi, pediatric trauma coordinator from Stony Brook Children's Hospital, recommends the following tips for car- and booster-seat safety:

Never use a car seat in the front of the vehicle. The front air bag can pose a significant risk to children.
Children should ride with the vehicle seat upright. Seat belts, car seats, and booster seats can’t do their job properly if the back seat is reclined.
Have your child ride with adult drivers. Teen drivers are more likely to be involved in a crash, and are less likely to enforce safety rules such as buckling up.
Seat belts should be used with both the lap belt and the shoulder belt. If the shoulder belt does not fit properly, the child may need to use a belt-positioning booster seat.