Uber does not provide car seats, and you are responsible for bringing one if your child needs it

Uber's standard service does not include car seats. If you are traveling with a child who requires one by law in your state, you must bring your own. Uber does offer Uber Car Seat in some cities — a separate service where the driver's vehicle comes equipped with an installed car seat — but this service is not available everywhere and must be booked as a distinct option, not as part of a regular Uber ride.

The legal requirement for a car seat depends on your state and the child's age and weight. Most states require car seats for children under 8 years old or under 57 inches tall, though the exact rules vary. If you book a regular Uber without a car seat and you have a child who legally needs one, you are responsible for the violation, not the driver.

Key Takeaways

  • Standard Uber rides do not include car seats; you must bring your own if your child needs one.
  • Uber Car Seat is available in select cities as a separate booking option with an installed car seat already in the vehicle.
  • Your state's car seat laws apply to Uber rides the same way they apply to any other vehicle.
  • If Uber Car Seat is not available in your area, you will need to use your own car seat or use a different transportation method.

How Uber Car Seat works when available

When you open the Uber app in a city where Uber Car Seat operates, you will see it as a separate ride option alongside UberX and other services. You select it the same way you select any other ride type. The app will show you the price upfront, which is higher than a standard Uber ride because the vehicle includes an installed car seat.

The car seat is already installed in the vehicle when the driver arrives. You do not need to install it yourself or bring your own. The driver will have been trained on the service and will know that a child passenger is expected. Rides are typically available for children from infancy through about 8 years old, depending on the car seat model and your child's size.

Availability varies by city and changes over time. You can check whether Uber Car Seat is offered in your area by opening the app and looking at the ride options during your search. If it does not appear as an option, the service is not currently available where you are.

What to do if Uber Car Seat is not available in your area

If Uber Car Seat does not operate in your city, you have several options. You can bring your own car seat and install it in a standard Uber vehicle before the ride begins. You are allowed to do this, though it adds time to your trip and requires you to have the seat with you.

Alternatively, you can use a different rideshare service if one offers car seats in your area. Lyft, for example, offers a car seat option called Lyft Car Seat in some cities. You can also use a traditional taxi or car service that specializes in child transportation, or arrange a ride with someone you know who has an appropriate car seat already installed.

If you are traveling with a child and do not have access to a car seat through any of these methods, a regular Uber ride without a car seat is not a legal option in most states. Plan ahead to arrange transportation that meets your state's requirements.

Installing your own car seat in an Uber

If you choose to bring your own car seat, you will need to install it yourself before the ride starts. Most car seats can be installed using the vehicle's seat belt or the LATCH system (Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children), which is standard in all vehicles made after 2002. You should be familiar with your car seat's installation before you need to use it in a rideshare vehicle.

Installation typically takes 5 to 15 minutes depending on the car seat model and your familiarity with it. The driver will wait, though this adds to your overall trip time and cost. Some drivers may be uncomfortable with the delay or unfamiliar with having a car seat installed in their vehicle, so communication before the ride helps.

Make sure the car seat is appropriate for your child's age and weight according to the manufacturer's guidelines. Using an expired or damaged car seat, or one that does not fit your child, defeats the purpose of having one at all.

State car seat laws and rideshare rides

Car seat requirements are set by state law, not by Uber or any rideshare company. Your state's rules about who needs a car seat, what type, and until what age apply to rideshare vehicles just as they do to private cars. The driver is not responsible for enforcing the law — you are.

Most states require a car seat for children under age 8 or under 57 inches tall. Some states have different requirements for forward-facing versus rear-facing seats, or for booster seats versus full car seats. A few states allow exceptions for taxis or rideshare vehicles, but this is uncommon. Check your state's specific rules before you book a ride.

If you are pulled over during an Uber ride and your child is not in an appropriate car seat, you can be cited for violating your state's child safety law. The citation goes to you, not to the driver, because you are the parent or guardian responsible for the child's safety.

Cost and booking considerations

Uber Car Seat costs more than a standard UberX ride. The exact price varies by city and demand, but expect to pay roughly 1.5 to 2 times the cost of a regular ride. You can see the price before you confirm the booking, so there are no surprises.

Uber Car Seat rides may take longer to arrive than standard rides because fewer drivers offer this service. If you need a car seat ride, book it with extra time built in, especially during busy hours. If no Uber Car Seat driver is available within a reasonable timeframe, the app will let you know.

If you are a frequent user of rideshare with children, compare the cost of Uber Car Seat rides over time against the cost of owning your own vehicle or using other transportation methods. For occasional trips, Uber Car Seat may be convenient. For regular commutes, it may be more economical to use your own car or explore other options.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use a booster seat instead of a car seat in an Uber?

That depends on your state's law and your child's age and weight. Some states allow booster seats for older children who have outgrown full car seats. Check your state's specific requirements. If a booster seat is legal where you are, you can bring your own and install it in a standard Uber ride, or use Uber Car Seat if it offers booster seats in your area.

What if my child is 8 years old but very small — do I still need a car seat?

Most state laws use both age and height or weight as criteria. If your child is 8 but under the height or weight threshold, your state may still require a car seat or booster seat. Check your state's specific rules, which are usually available on your state's Department of Transportation website. When in doubt, use a car seat — it is safer and keeps you compliant with the law.

Can I hold my child in my lap instead of using a car seat?

No. Holding a child in your lap does not meet any state's car seat requirement and is not safe in a crash. If your child is required by law to be in a car seat, you must use one. This applies to rideshare rides the same way it applies to any other vehicle.

Does the Uber driver get in trouble if there is no car seat?

No. The driver is not responsible for enforcing car seat laws. You, as the parent or guardian, are responsible for ensuring your child is in an appropriate car seat. If you are cited, the citation goes to you, not the driver.

Is Uber Car Seat available for infants?

Availability depends on the city and the specific car seat models installed in that market. Some cities offer infant car seats through Uber Car Seat, while others only offer seats for older children. Check the app in your area to see what is available, or contact Uber support for details about your specific city.