Does Uber have car seats?

Does Uber have car seats?

The short answer is no but Uber is currently trialling a rideshare option called Uber Child Seat in Melbourne, Victoria. This service pairs participating Uber drivers with two child seats. However, outside of this trial the onus of safely restraining your child is up to you and the child seat you bring with you!

What is Uber and how does it work?

Uber is a ride-sharing, couriering and taxi-service. However, it differs from a traditional taxi service in the way that drivers are not employed by Uber as staff, but rather operate as independent contractors.

A driver signs up, becomes verified and uses their own vehicle to ferry people, goods or food between set destinations. You can find out more about what is required of a driver here.

Uber’s ‘Drive when you want, make what you need’ tagline means a driver chooses their own hours of operation. Uber has gone into hauling freight and food delivery services, like Uber Eats, as well.

From a consumer’s perspective, you download the Uber app on your phone, sign up and plug in your payment details than you’re ready to book a ride service.

Uber operates on a star rating, where both drivers and passengers can rate the trip. These star rankings are visible for the driver and the passenger to see prior to accepting the ride; this assists others to know if there are any issues with the driver or passenger.

Can you take young children in an Uber?

Can you take an Uber with kids? It’s a common question, especially if you don’t want the hassle of trying to get to an event and find parking or if you want to travel light. The short answer is yes, but the rules regarding suitable restraints for children vary between states and territories.

Can my child ride in Uber without car seat?

Each state and territory has its own Uber car seat rules regarding whether you can you take a baby in an Uber Australia and what child seat restraints are required in ride-sharing services.

It’s important to note that while some states don’t require the use of a child or booster seat for children under the age of seven, you can still bring your own and fit one should you want to. Experts agree that a seat belt won’t properly fit a child that is under 145cm in height. The only exception to this rule is if your child has a medical exemption.

In WA – Children under the age of one must be suitably restrained in a harnessed child seat, while those between the ages of one and seven can use a standard three-point seat belt.

In Queensland, children under the age of one can be held on the lap of someone 16 years or over providing they are not sharing the same seat belt. A child between the ages of one and less than seven can use a standard three-point seatbelt but must not sit in the front seat if the rideshare vehicle has more than two rows of seating.

In the ACT, SA, NT, Victoria and NSW; all children under the age of seven must use a child seat or booster seat while riding in an Uber or rideshare service.

Age up to six months: Child must be secured in an approved rearward facing child restraint.

Age six months – four years: Child must be secured in either a harnessed rear- or forward-facing approved child seat.

Age four – seven years: Child must be secured in a harnessed forward-facing approved child seat or an approved booster seat.

Age between seven years to up to 16 years: Child must use either an approved child-/ booster seat or a seatbelt.

Does Uber have baby seats?

Uber is currently trialling having a dedicated child seat service, dubbed ‘Uber Child Seat’ rides but it is only available in Melbourne, Victoria at the moment.

This service is a part of a partnership between Baby Bunting Australia and Uber. Uber Child Seat driver participants undertake in-person education with certified child seat installation experts at Baby Bunting, or another certified provider.

These trips incur a $9.99 surcharge and all Uber Child Seat rides come with one convertible child seat (suitable for children up to four years old) and one booster child seat (suitable for children between four and eight years old and under 145cm). These rides are only available on what Uber considers XL vehicles; being able to seat five and luggage. Think large SUV.

Uber child seat services and their safety are regulated the same way a personal vehicle is. They must follow the same installation rules for their pre-approved child seats and ensure children are fitted into the correct child seat for their height and age.

The approved convertible child seat model for the Uber trial is the Britax Safe’n’Sound Convertible Child Seat and the booster child seat is the Babylove Ezymove Booster Child Seat.

As with a private vehicle, the responsibility for whether a passenger is wearing a seatbelt and whether a child is properly restrained is up to the driver.

How to book Uber with baby seat

According to Uber, Uber Child Seat trips can be booked via the Uber app on your mobile phone. Just like any other Uber trip, you enter your pick-up and drop-off locations but underneath the ‘Choose a ride’ menu, you select ‘Uber Child Seat’. If the Uber car seat option not showing then it’s not available in your area.

When the driver is confirmed, you can then call or message the Uber driver to confirm which child seat(s) you require.

Uber recommends that passengers allow for additional time for the driver to install the child seat(s). The trip will begin after the seat is safely installed. You can find out more about Uber with child seat Australia here.

Uber age limit Australia

With this new service, you may wonder if Uber takes kids without an adult present? No, current rules state that a child under the age of 16 must travel with an accompanying parent or caregiver who is aged 18-years or older.

In fact, Uber drivers reserve the right to refuse a fare if the passenger looks under the age of 18! Make sure you have your ID with you.