Car seat question

[bgula]

I'm thinking of renting a car for our upcoming trip and have located a great rate. My question is this: I have a son who is 5. Is he required to be in a car seat? If so, how much to the rental companies usually charge per day for said seat? Can I bring a car seat along on our flight via Southwest and would that be practical or not? Any suggestions would be more than welcome.

 

[laughinplace199]

I believe he needs to be in a car seat or a booster seat while in the car. We brought our booster seats for our 7 & 5 yr olds and checked them with our luggage (not on SW, we flew jetBlue). When we got to MCO, we picked up our luggage and boosters, got our rental car, and were on our way.

 

[tjmw2727]

Florida law only requires a car seat through age 3.
http://www.elitecarseats.com/custserv/custserv.jsp?pageName=car_seat_laws

You can rent a carseat from the rental car company for about $10.00 a day or bring your own from home. You can check it through with the luggage or gate check it. Most airlines will not count a carseat/booster seat against your baggage allowance.

HTH
TJ

 

[hfalk]

This is what is posted on the Florida Department of Transportation website:

4. What is Florida's Child Restraint Law?

All children 5 years of age or younger must be properly restrained no matter where they are sitting in the vehicle. Children through age 3 must be secured in a separate carrier or a vehicle manufacturer's integrated child safety seat. For children aged 4 through 5 years, a separate carrier, an integrated child safety seat, or a safety belt may be used. (FL Statute 316.613).

I also have a 5 year old and we are renting a car for 2 days this Friday. I'm still trying to figure out what this actually means (is a seat belt alone sufficient?)...

 

[Hannathy]

Only children 3 and younger need a car seat in Florida. Your 5 yr old can use the seat belt.

 

[bgula]

Thanks everyone for the great info!

 

[RalphMouth]

if you belong to AAA and rent w/Hertz then the car seat
is free ($50.00 savings on average)

 

[LilGMom]

The national recommendation for children in carseats/boosters is 4'9" (57 inches) and 40 lbs. If their legs can not bend over the seat edge while their back is up against the back of the seat they should be in a booster/carseat for proper seatbelt positioning. FYI

 

[ruadisneyfan2]

My ds6 is only 43 lbs. so we always bring his booster seat from home. NJ law requires kids to be in a booster until age 8 or 80 lbs. whichever comes 1st. This is fine with me since most 5-7 yr. olds would have the shoulder strap across their neck or face so they're obviously too small for a reg. seat belt.
Even though FL laws are more lax than ours, doesnt' mean I'd lower my safety standards on vacation.
Also I once rented a car seat when ds10 was 3 and it was so old, sticky, disgusting with twisted straps so I'd rather bring my own even if they offered it for free. JMHO