Rideshares are among the most flexible and sought after means of transportation when not driving your personal car. They offer convenience by eliminating the need for parking spaces and being available on demand. Occasionally, you may want to travel with your children when attending a function or in case your car experiences a mechanical issue. Based on the age of the child accompanying you, there are requirements you may need to satisfy such as using a child car seat. If you are a parent or guardian to young children, here is a guide when using rideshares and the regulations regarding child car seats.
Can You Use Rideshare Services with a Baby?
Yes, as a parent you can use rideshare services when traveling with your child. The laws regarding the use of child-restraint in rideshare services vary however from state to state. In states such as California and Maryland, ride share and taxi drivers are prohibited from carrying children in cars with no child-safety seats.
Uber and Car Seats
Uber introduced a car seat that effectively improved how parents and guardians can travel with their children. This special ride offers a car seat that faces forward for babies who should be at least two years old. While this may be a positive development, the feature may come at an additional cost and available in a limited number of cities such as New York. In order for a child to qualify for the car seat, the child should weigh between 22 and 48 lbs, aged at least two years old and should have a height ranging between 31 and 52 inches.
Uber also mandates children who are too small to travel in car seats that are rear-facing. In cases where the child is too big, they will have to travel in a booster seat. It is also important to note that Uber provides only one forward-facing car seat. In case you are traveling with more than one child, you are expected to bring the required number of car seats.
To request an Uber ride with a car seat:
- Download the Uber app
- Set the pickup and drop off locations
- Scroll to the bottom of “Choose a ride page” to check on the available cars with “Car Seat” options.
- Enter payment information
- Verify your ride
Lyft and Car Seats
Lyft is among the most popular ridesharing options in the states. This ridesharing company introduced the car seat mode to offer convenience to parents travelling with a child. This mode allows a client to access the various kinds of vehicles, but with car seats. Currently, Lyft provides car seats for its clients in New York. To check if the car seat mode is available in your current location, the option will be visible as you book a ride.
Car seat mode rides from Lyft specify that a child using the seat should be between 22 and 48 pounds with a height of between 31 and 52 inches. It is also recommended that the child should be two years and above since the seat is not suitable for younger children. Just like Uber, Lyft offers only one seat.
The process for requesting a ride with a car seat is fairly easy.
- Download the app if not installed
- Select the ride type with car seat
- Set both pickup and drop-off locations
- Confirm the ride.
It is the guardian’s or parent’s responsibility to ensure that the child is secure in the car seat. Always check the safety of the seat before taking the ride. Drivers with the car seat mode in Lyft have a forward-facing IMMI car seat. They are also responsible for the installation and uninstallation of the seats before the ride and at the end of the ride. Just like Uber, Lyft has an additional charge for this service. Parents who wish to use their own car seats are allowed to do so by Lyft.