Will The Driver Help With Installation
In my experience, Uber drivers are patient and will assist you in installing the car seat. Of course, some of them will not be familiar with the LATCH system or even how to install a seat, but they will assist you in some other way. For instance, they always wait patiently until you finish because they know this kind of situation is time-pressuring for some. Your kid might get fussy! Don’t let this stop you from properly installing the seat. Your task is focusing on installation, and the driver will assist you if possible.
Rideshare Reality: Do Children Need Car Seats In An Uber Or Lyft
By Zachary D. Campbell, Lawyer at Metzger Wickersham
Can you remember a time when Uber did not exist? Believe it or not, Uber revolutionized the way we travel nearly ten years ago. The days of hailing a taxi cab seem medieval compared to the ease of using a smartphone to order a ride. In fact, it is so easy that many parents even utilize ridesharing to safely travel with children in tow.
In my experience as a father, Uber can be very kid-friendly! But what about car seats? Are they required? Are you allowed to bring your own car seat? These are just some of the various questions that arise with the convenience of ridesharing.
Are children required to use car seats in an Uber or Lyft?
Rideshare drivers are required to comply with local and state laws. There are strict laws in Pennsylvania that require children be securely fastened in either a car seat or booster seat. Uber drivers are not exempt from these laws.
Recently, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court agreed to review a case addressing whether it is a crime to put a child in a car for hire that is not equipped with a car seat. In the case of Commonwealth v. Howard, the Pennsylvania Superior Court reversed in part and confirmed in part a conviction for a mother who placed her three-year-old daughter in the back seat of a car for hire. According to the decision, the child was not placed in a car seat and the vehicle was unfortunately involved in a crash. Additionally, no one in the vehicle was wearing a seat belt as well.
Ride Sharing Health And Safety Info New For 2021
Both Uber and Lyft require passengers to wear a mask over their nose and mouth. Your ride share driver may terminate the ride if passengers do not comply. There may be different limits on how many passengers can ride in a ride share so check before you go. A family of four may need a larger vehicle because of spacing requirements. Both Uber and Lyft are currently requiring the front seat to be clear of passengers.
Neither website mentions an age requirement when it comes to face coverings. Since federal law requires passengers over two to wear a face mask on an airplane, consider this a good rule of thumb for taking a ride share. These policies are subject to change based on current climate/COVID infection rates, so check in advance of your trip.
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Strategies For Minimizing Confrontations
The first thing drivers should do when encountering a parent without a child seat is to try to diffuse their anger that will result from declining their ride request. You are not only denying them much needed transportation you risk implying that they are unfit parents.
Empathize. You might be really annoyed but dont show it. Explain that you understand they need to get to their destination, and that it can be a real pain to carry around a child seat.
Know the law in your state. The more authoritative you can sound, the less grief the rider should give you. Explain that its about more than just avoiding a ticket if you get pulled over, or ensuring your auto insurance policy will cover the childs injuries. You are demanding use of a car seat because scientific studies have proven that its much safer for their child.
Tell the parent that Uber and Lyft policy requires you to follow your states laws. You need this job, and you cant risk being deactivated for violating policy, or for acquiring traffic citations.
Finally, after pulling away, be careful not to accept another request that might be coming from that same parent.
Do Taxi Companies Or Uber Provide Baby Car Seats In La
I’ve heard mixed messages regarding whether or not taxi firms or Uber do.
Can anyone help and provide any links please?
We won’t be hiring a car and staying at the Homewood Suites Redondo Beach.
Thanks again
It is not standard. Taxis probably no. Uber you never know. Don’t take a chance.
What are the ages of your child/children? If old enough you can purchase blow up booster seats, which you can deflate when not in use.
Just the one at 19 months.
Thanks
car seat in California.
Do you have a ‘travel system’, an infant seat that snaps into a stroller? That might be easiest for you.
In some cities, Uber has an “Uber Car Seat” option when you order an UberX, although I can’t get the link to fully display. I’m not sure if LA is one of those cities or not. But here’s the PR clip: “Uber Car Seat provides uberX vehicles equipped with a car seat. To request Uber Car Seat, tap the ‘car seat’ option after selecting the uberX vehicle type. A $10 surcharge is added to uberX pricing for Uber Car Seat trips. A child is too big at 48 lbs. or 52 inches.”
Do you really want to stick your kid in a child seat that you have no idea who barfed in? Or perhaps has been in an accident?
Bring your own.
To request Uber Car Seat, tap the ‘car seat’ option after selecting the uberX vehicle type. A $10 surcharge is added to uberX pricing for Uber Car Seattrips.
Uber Car Seats are forward facing only. Children under 2 need to be rear facing in California.
Los Angeles
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Airport Pickup Spots Know Before You Go When You Uber With Kids
Families are most likely to use ride sharing for airport pickups and drop offs. While ride sharing services can typically drop off at the same place a taxi or a friend would drop you off, many airports have designated places where ride shares can pick up passengers.
Look for airport signs directing you to ride share pickups. If you dont see signs, ask someone for directions. Ride shares usually wont be able to pick you up where taxi cabs pick up or where friends and family pick you up.
Most airport plans favor taxis, so you may have to walk a few more steps to meet your ride share. I recommend getting a feel for where your driver will pick you up before you summon a ride share. Most ride shares are only required to wait a short time. If you are not there, they can leave and charge you. If you have to go down two levels and cross the street to catch your ride share, youll want to make sure you know where you are going and can get there quickly before summoning a ride.
Finally, check to make sure an airport allows ride sharing before you plan to use that as your mode of transportation. Most airports in the U.S. do now, but for a time, the Orlando airport did not allow ride sharing. You dont want to find out you need plan B when youre standing on a curb with four suitcases and two cranky kids.
What Is Uber Family What Is Uber Car Seat
UberX Car Seat provides a forward-facing car seat appropriate for ages 2 and up. The driver installs it, and you strap your kid in. Off you go!
The official Uber Car Seat program provides an IMMI Go car seat, fits kids 31-52 and 22-48 pounds. If your child is too small, youll need to bring an infant car seat or one of these smaller travel car seats.
Once your child outgrows the IMMI Go Uber car seats, she should fit well in a travel booster car seat. The IMMI Go can technically become an Uber booster seat but its probably not worth the $10 and extra wait time for Ubers with car seats when you could just bring one of these.
Each driver has only one seat available, and not every driver has a car seat. So you may find the wait for an Uber with a car seat to be very long if that happens, its worth exploring your public transportation options.
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Are Uber And Lyft Exempt From Car Seat Laws As Well
The laws applying to rideshare companies like Uber and Lyft are less clear. The New York City legal exemption for for-hire vehicles does sound like it would apply to Uber and Lyft as well. Thankfully, you can certainly choose to ride with a car seat in your Uber or Lyft. Uber and Lyft, in fact, require that children of car-seat age sit in an appropriate car seat, regardless of how the law precisely applies.
In many cities, including New York City, Uber will provide a car seat upon request for an extra $10. Uber has a button in the app for car seat that appears if you are requesting an uberX vehicle. The standard Uber car seat accommodates children who are at least one year old, weigh between 22 and 48 pounds and are between 31 and 52 inches. Lyft also offers this option in New York City, although it is not clear whether they have expanded or plan to expand this option to other cities. You can also bring your own car seat and install it in your Uber or Lyft if you prefer your own seat or if the Uber or Lyft options do not accommodate your children.
How Do I Request Uber Car Seat On A Walt Disney World Vacation
Theres nothing special you need to know to find Uber Car Seat in Orlando. If you can use Uber, you can use Uber Car Seat. On the Uber app, simply log on and enter where you want to go on the first screen. On the second screen, a variety of car types will appear swipe right or left to toggle between them to see the prices and passenger counts for each. In Orlando, options will include both UberX + Car Seat or UberXL + Car Seat. Select one and use Uber the way you always do from there.
My first Uber Car Seat Orlando ride
Pricing is clearly visible on the app, but expect to pay $8 more over the regular pricing for either an UberX or UberXL for the extra addition of a car seat. Given how cheap Uber is in Orlando, the service still remains extremely price competitive even with the car seat upcharge.
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What About Car Seats
Unfortunately, Lyft doesnt offer any cars that provide car seats in Orlando at this time.
Minnie Vans, however, do but they are a lot pricier than just a regular Lyft.
Uber, on the other hand, does offer car seats .
You can get Uber with a car seat for an extra charge . This is available with UberX and UberXL cars.
The Uber driver is required to have 1 car seat from a list of approved models that hasnt been in a car accident.
Is It Safe To Uber Alone
Uber is known to be a shady company that never takes safety seriously.
Historically, Uber did not implement sufficient safety measures to ensure ride safety, according to lawsuits filed against the ride-share company.
Even now, despite background checks and driver training programs in place at any given time todayriders may still face risks from drivers,
who want nothing more than your personal information or money on hand for what seem like small amounts of cash among their earnings as an independent contractor with this service provider. Government agencies are not overseeing transportation services in our borders, especially those with limited financial means, like solo travellers, who are ideal targets.
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What Happens If The Driver Declines The Ride With No Car Seat
Have you not paid attention? Not only should the driver cancel the ride, but they are in obligation to do so! Safety comes first, and you should never be surprised if they leave you stranded at the airport if you don’t supply a car seatjust a heads up. If you requested a regular car ride, chances are your driver will not have a car seat lying around. It imposes quite the expense for the driver, plus it’s a liability! Don’t be one of those parents trying to get away by saying you don’t own a car seat. If you have a child, you’re going to have a car seat. Whether you’re driving the car or using some other form of transport, you DO have a car seat in your home. You just weren’t familiar with the Uber car seat law. Well, hopefully, the situation has changed now.
Uber To Magic Kingdom
Taking an Uber to Magic Kingdom is the most complicated, as only Disney transport is allowed to drop off directly at Magic Kingdom. So where does an Uber to Magic Kingdom drop you off at?
Everyone besides Disney transport has to go through Transportation and Ticket Center , and thats where Uber drivers have to pick you up and drop you off. Uber knows this and will direct rides to Magic Kingdom to TTC:
If you have an inexperienced driver, you absolutely must make sure they follow the signs for drop-off and dont head into the parking lot.
There was an old trick we never directly advocated where people would use Contemporary for Uber pickup and drop-offs. Since the resort reopening in 2020, Disney has become very restrictive with who they let into their lots. I mention this old trick here now just to warn you that your driver might not be let in if youre not a guest of the resort.
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Does Uber Have Car Seats
The first thing you need to know is that your children are allowed to ride in an Uber, but if they are of an age where they require a car seat then they are legally obliged to ride in a car seat. Now, it would not make sense for all Uber drivers to purchase car seats to make them available for all trips, nor would it be an option for Uber to purchase car seats for all their drivers.
It would also be a logistical nightmare for drivers to carry around car seats in the trunk of their car, ready to be fitted. I cannot even imagine the training needed for drivers to get to grips with fitting a car seat . Thankfully, ride-sharing companies, such as Uber, are making cars more family friendly.
Uber has two services, known as Uber Car Seat or Uber Family. Both services will come with a forward facing car seat for children who are at least one-year-old.
The child also needs to be between 22-48 pounds in weight and 31-52 inches tall. Of course, this is subject to the car seat laws in your area.
Two things to know about this service is that you cannot use this car seat for children who are younger than one or outside of the weight and height ranges . The second thing to know is that there is a $10 surcharge for this service.
The service is limited to certain locations, so you should check within the app to find out if it is available in your area. If it is not, then it may become available soon.
Can Uber/lyft Drivers Refuse To Take Kids On A Ride
Generally speaking, the only time that an Uber or a Lyft driver can refuse to take kids on a ride is when they are unaccompanied minors.
Both platforms have a minimum age requirement of eighteen to secure a ride. This means that you must be a legal adult to request and take a ride with an Uber or Lyft driver.
Even teenagers are not exempt from this rule. If a driver suspects that you may be underage, he or she has the right to request identification to prove that you are old enough to use these ridesharing apps.
However, children who are accompanied by their parents or guardians should have no problem taking an Uber or Lyft ride.
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Can You Bring Small Kids And Babies With Uber/lyft
Small kids and babies can indeed accompany their parents on rides obtained through the Uber and Lyft platforms. However, not all rides are going to be considered family-friendly.
Kids who are too small to sit on their own will still be required to be secured in a car seat, which can make it a challenge to find an equipped Uber.
Cities like New York City, Washington D.C., Philadelphia, Baltimore, and Orlando have a separate service called Uber Car Seat .
Lyft only offers rides with car seats in the New York City area. Parents can request a vehicle that has a car seat, but the particular brand may vary.
The standard car seat is mostly considered to be the IMMI Go, but you should verify the requirements with your specific Uber driver.
The IMMI Go is still the standard for Lyft drivers. This car seat model requires that your child be at least twelve months old, 22 pounds, and 31 inches tall. The child is too big for the car seat at 48 pounds or 52 inches.
Keep in mind that minors can ride with their parents or other adults, but they cannot take trips on their own.
