Uber does not provide car seats, but you can request a ride with UberX or Uberx and bring your own seat, or use Uber's partnership with car seat rental services in some cities.
If you need to travel with a child and don't have a car seat with you, your options depend on where you live. In some cities, Uber partners with Uber Car Seat, a service that delivers a car seat to you before your ride arrives. In most places, you'll need to either bring your own car seat or use a rental service separately and install it yourself before requesting the ride.
The driver is not responsible for installing the seat, and most drivers will not do it. You install the seat before the driver arrives, or you arrange for the seat to be waiting in the vehicle when you get there. This matters because it changes how you plan the ride and how much time you need.
Key Takeaways
- Uber Car Seat is available in select cities and delivers a car seat to your location before your ride; you install it yourself in the vehicle.
- If Uber Car Seat is not available in your area, you can bring your own car seat and request a standard UberX ride, then install it before the driver arrives.
- The driver will not install the car seat for you, and you are responsible for proper installation and child safety during the ride.
- Car seat rental companies operate separately from Uber and can deliver seats to your home or a meeting point if you need one temporarily.
How Uber Car Seat Works in Your City
Uber Car Seat is currently available in select cities including Los Angeles, San Francisco, San Diego, and New York City, though the list changes. When you open the Uber app, you'll see a car seat icon as a ride option if the service operates where you are. Tap it, enter your pickup and dropoff locations, and the app will show you the price and estimated arrival time for both the car seat delivery and the ride itself.
Here's the sequence: you order the car seat first. Uber delivers it to your location (usually within 15 to 30 minutes), and you install it in the vehicle's back seat following the manufacturer's instructions. Once the seat is installed, you request your UberX ride through the app. The driver arrives knowing a car seat is already in the vehicle. You place your child in the seat, and the ride proceeds normally.
The car seat rental fee is separate from your ride fare and appears as a line item in your receipt. Pricing varies by city but typically ranges from $15 to $25 per ride. You are charged only when you complete the ride; if you cancel before the seat arrives, you may still owe a cancellation fee depending on Uber's current policy.
Bringing Your Own Car Seat on an Uber
If Uber Car Seat is not available in your area, or if you already own a car seat, you can bring it with you and install it in any UberX vehicle. Request a standard UberX ride through the app—there is no special option to select. When the driver arrives, let them know you'll be installing a car seat in the back seat before your child gets in.
Arrive at your pickup location with the car seat already in hand. Most drivers will wait while you install it, though you should plan for an extra 5 to 10 minutes. Use the vehicle's seat belt or LATCH anchors (if available) to secure the car seat according to your seat's manual. Once it's installed and your child is buckled in, the ride proceeds as normal.
This approach works best if you're traveling from home or a place where you can easily carry the car seat. If you're traveling light or don't own a seat, this is not practical, and you'll need to use Uber Car Seat or a separate rental service.
Car Seat Rental Services Outside Uber
Several companies rent car seats by the day or week and will deliver them to your home, hotel, or airport. Services like Baby's Away, Rent Baby Gear, and Traveling Tikes operate in major cities and tourist areas. You order online, specify your child's age and weight, and the company delivers an appropriate seat to your location. You then install it yourself in your Uber vehicle before requesting the ride.
Rental costs typically range from $10 to $20 per day, depending on the seat type and your location. You pay the rental fee separately from your Uber fare. This option works well if you're visiting a city for several days and need a seat for multiple rides, because the daily rate is often cheaper than ordering Uber Car Seat for each individual trip.
When you're done, you either return the seat to a dropoff location or schedule a pickup. Read the rental company's cancellation and damage policies before ordering, because some charge fees if the seat is returned late or in poor condition.
Safety and Legal Requirements for Car Seats in Rideshare
Most states require children under a certain age or weight to ride in a car seat, even in a rideshare vehicle. The specific age and weight thresholds vary by state—some require a car seat until age 8, others until age 6 or weight 60 pounds. Check your state's Department of Transportation website or your state's child passenger safety law to know what applies to you.
Uber's terms of service state that you are responsible for ensuring your child is in an appropriate car seat and properly restrained. The driver is not liable if you place a child in the vehicle without a seat or with an improperly installed seat. This means the legal and safety responsibility falls entirely on you.
Install the car seat in the back seat, never the front, and follow the manufacturer's instructions exactly. If you're unsure whether you've installed it correctly, many fire departments and hospitals offer free car seat inspections. Some even have certified technicians who can watch you install it and point out mistakes before you ride.
What to Do If Uber Car Seat Is Not Available
If you're in a city where Uber Car Seat doesn't operate, you have three paths forward. First, check whether a car seat rental service delivers to your area—search "[your city] car seat rental" to find local options. Second, if you're staying somewhere for multiple days, ask your hotel or Airbnb host whether they have a car seat you can borrow or whether they can recommend a rental company. Third, if you own a car seat, bring it with you and install it in the Uber vehicle as described above.
If none of these options work and you need to travel with a child immediately, consider whether a different transportation method makes sense. A traditional taxi company or a local car service may have car seats available, though you'll need to call and ask in advance. Lyft, Uber's competitor, does not offer a car seat service in most cities either, so your options are similar.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can the Uber driver install the car seat for me?
No. Drivers are not trained or required to install car seats, and most will not do it. You are responsible for installing the seat yourself before your child gets in the vehicle. If you cannot install it, ask a friend or family member to help, or contact a local fire department or hospital for installation assistance.
What if I order Uber Car Seat and the driver cancels?
If the ride is cancelled after the car seat is delivered, you may be charged a cancellation fee for the seat, the ride, or both. Check Uber's cancellation policy before ordering. If the seat arrives but you cancel the ride within a short window (usually 5 to 10 minutes), Uber may waive the fee, but this is not may provide.
Is it cheaper to rent a car seat or use Uber Car Seat?
It depends on how many rides you take. Uber Car Seat costs $15 to $25 per ride. A rental service costs $10 to $20 per day. If you need one ride, Uber Car Seat is simpler. If you need three or more rides over two days, a daily rental is usually cheaper. Calculate the total for your trip before deciding.
Can I use a booster seat instead of a car seat?
Only if your child meets your state's legal requirements for a booster seat (usually age 6 or older and at least 60 pounds). Check your state's child passenger safety law. If a booster seat is legal for your child, you can bring one on an Uber ride and install it the same way you would a car seat.
What happens if I don't use a car seat and get stopped by police?
You can be cited for violating your state's child passenger safety law. Fines typically range from $50 to $500 depending on the state and whether it's a first offense. More importantly, a child without a proper car seat is at much higher risk of serious injury or death in a crash. Using a car seat is a legal requirement and a safety necessity.