As parents, we understand that the safety of our children is paramount, especially when it comes to traveling. Whether it's a quick trip to the grocery store or a longer journey to visit family, ensuring that our little ones are secure in a vehicle is a top priority. This is where Uber's Car Seat service comes into play, a feature that has revolutionized the way families travel.
Explore our comprehensive guide and find the answer to the question, “does Uber have car seats”. Learn about its safety measures, cost, availability, and more. Stay informed and ensure your child's safety during your Uber ride.
Does Uber Have Car Seats
Yes, Uber Car Seat is a service designed specifically for parents traveling with children who require car seats. This service is an excellent solution for families on the go, ensuring that your little ones are safe and secure during your Uber ride.
Who Can Use Uber Car Seat?
Uber Car Seat provides forward-facing car seats that are suitable for children who are at least two years old, weigh between 22 and 48 pounds, and are 31 to 52 inches tall.
Safety First: Uber's Commitment
The car seats provided by Uber are top-tier, meeting all applicable federal motor vehicle safety standards. They come equipped with a 5-point harness system to ensure your child's safety during the ride. Uber's commitment to safety doesn't stop there. The drivers who offer the Uber Car Seat service have received special training on how to secure these car seats properly, ensuring your child's ride is as safe as possible.
How To Use Uber Car Seat?
Using Uber Car Seat is as simple as a few taps on your smartphone. Open your Uber app, enter your destination, and then select the "Car Seat" option in the vehicle menu. A small surcharge will be added to your fare for the use of the car seat.
Availability Of Uber Car Seat
While Uber Car Seat is a fantastic service, it's important to note that it's not available in all locations. Currently, it's offered in select cities, so be sure to check the availability in your area before planning your trip.
The Genesis Of Uber Car Seat
Uber's car seat program was initially launched in 2014 in three cities: New York City, Washington DC, and Philadelphia. The program was designed and implemented by Alisa Baer, MD, a pediatrician, nationally certified child passenger safety instructor, and co-founder of The Car Seat Lady.
Dr. Baer and her team prioritized safety above all else, with car seat installation training being a crucial aspect of the program. "Before any driver could leave the training, we sat in the back and watched them install the car seat," she explains. "If they didn’t do it correctly, they didn’t leave the training until they could."
This program was a significant milestone for Dr. Baer, who is proud to have designed a parent-friendly ride option. "It was the first time parents got the same degree of convenience, spontaneity, and safety that was afforded to other adults," she says.
After Dr. Baer left the project in 2016, Uber partnered with the nonprofit organization Safe Kids Worldwide to continue the program. Today, Uber Car Seat is only available in New York City and can be requested through the app in the same way you would request a regular ride.
Using Your Own Car Seat In An Uber
While Uber provides car seats in certain locations, it's perfectly fine to use your own car seat. Uber spokesperson Becky Katz Davis confirms to Verywell Family that Uber drivers in other states also have the option to provide car seats for passengers. "Uber Car Seat drivers outside of NYC can install their own car seat for passengers once they have been trained by a certified child passenger safety technician," she says.
The Importance Of Car Seats
Dr. Baer stresses the incredible importance of bringing a car or booster seat for your child. "The [car seat] laws of the city and the state may vary, but the laws of physics do not change," she says. "If you get into a crash and your child is not effectively restrained, they are more likely to get hurt."
Car seat usage reduces the risk of injury in a crash by 71% to 82% for children, as compared to seat belt use alone. It's also important to note that baby carriers like the Baby Bjorn or Ergo are not substitutes for a car seat and can actually increase the risk of injury in a crash.
In certain cities, there are rideshares available that are specifically tailored for parents and their children. Some popular options include Kid Car, Kidcaboo, and Kango. These services offer airport travel, local rides, kid-centric carpool, and even childcare. They require reservations and come with fully vetted drivers who have completed car seat installation training.
Uber Car Seat: A Deeper Dive
Uber Car Seat is a ride option that customers can select in the app, along with other options like Uber XL and Uber Black. The Uber Car Seat option will feature a child car seat in the Uber so you can travel with your child safely. The car seats featured in these Uber rides are suited for one child at least two years old, 22 pounds, and 31 inches tall. The cut-off size for these car seats is a weight of 48 pounds or a height of 52 inches. The car seat is a forward-facing seat, and there will only be one in each Uber Car Seat ride.
Uber Car Seat: Safety Measures
Uber ensures car seat safety by training its Uber Car Seat drivers to properly install the IMMI GO car seat. The IMMI GO complies with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 213, is flexible for children of various sizes, and is very easy to install. The LATCH hardware that secures the car seat is very trusted by parents and authoritative entities. To understand how all safety features work and how to safely transport a child in a vehicle, Uber Car Seat drivers must meet with a certified CPS (Child Passenger Safety) Technician.
Uber Car Seat: Cost And Availability
Uber Car Seat charges the same rate as Uber X, plus a $10 service fee for providing and installing the car seat for the child. Therefore, you don’t have to pay an outrageous amount or even a different rate than other Uber passengers. The Uber Car Seat option only adds $10 to your final charge. Currently, Uber Car Seat is only available in New York City. However, Uber is continually tinkering with its offerings and available cities, especially as the coronavirus pandemic evolves.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Uber have car seats? To get a better understanding of this, we have answered some of the more commonly asked questions.
What is Uber Car Seat?
Uber Car Seat is a ride option that customers can select in the app. This option features a child car seat in the Uber, allowing you to travel with your child safely.
How safe are Uber Car Seats?
Uber ensures car seat safety by training its Uber Car Seat drivers to properly install the IMMI GO car seat, which complies with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 213. The LATCH hardware that secures the car seat is very trusted by parents and authoritative entities.
How much does Uber Car Seat cost and where is it available?
Uber Car Seat charges the same rate as Uber X, plus a $10 service fee for providing and installing the car seat for the child. Currently, Uber Car Seat is only available in New York City.
Travel With Safety
The first question parents should ask when getting an Uber with little children is, “does Uber have car seats”. Whether you're using your own car or rideshares, safety should be the top priority when traveling with young children. In New York City, Uber and Lyft offer car seat options using fully-vetted drivers trained by child passenger safety technicians. In other locations, rideshare apps are available that cater specifically to kids and busy parents. Using car seats and booster seats is non-negotiable when traveling with kids. Buckling them into a back seat or on your lap does not provide the same level of safety as properly-installed seats designed to protect their developing bodies.
Find out more about how to ensure your child’s safety on the road by checking out our guide on Louisiana car seat laws. Visit Keep Driving to learn more.
