Do you need car or booster seat for taxis at MIA?

[sea2la]

Will the taxis drive you and your toddler to POM from MIA without booster or car seat? I have a 4 yr old toddler.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

Will the taxis drive you and your toddler to POM from MIA without booster or car seat? I have a 4 yr old toddler.

I found this (bolding mine):

Child Car Seat Requirements

Florida law requires children under 5 years of age to be properly restrained no matter where they are seated in the vehicle. Children through age 3 must be secured in a separate carrier (child safety seat) or in a vehicle manufacturer's integrated child safety seat. For children ages 4 - 5, a separate carrier, an integrated child safety seat, or a safety belt may be used. If a safety belt does not fit the child correctly, a booster set should be used to correctly position the lap and shoulder belts once they outgrow forward facing child safety seats (generally at about 40 pounds and 4 years old). Children from approximately 40-80 pounds and under 4'9" in height should ride in a booster seat.
http://www.sheriff.org/safety/carseat.cfm

 

[staceyeileen]

I found this (bolding mine):

Child Car Seat Requirements

Florida law requires children under 5 years of age to be properly restrained no matter where they are seated in the vehicle. Children through age 3 must be secured in a separate carrier (child safety seat) or in a vehicle manufacturer's integrated child safety seat. For children ages 4 - 5, a separate carrier, an integrated child safety seat, or a safety belt may be used.
http://www.sheriff.org/safety/carseat.cfm

This is current law. As of Jan 1, children under 6 must ride in a booster seat.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

This is current law. As of Jan 1, children under 6 must ride in a booster seat.

You're correct, I did some more looking:

http://www.wesh.com/news/florida-booster-seat-laws-for-children-to-change-in-january/25741288

Do you know whether someone must supply their own car seat for taxis? Or are taxis exempt (I doubt it, just asking).

 

[Tami0220]

How does Disney transportation work it with their buses?

 

[bumbershoot]

How does Disney transportation work it with their buses?

Coach transportation is different. A few DME buses have belts but car seats aren't allowed. I believe in the way buses keep us safe and even I don't use a belt on the buses that have them. On-property buses are like city buses. No seatbelts.

 

[sea2la]

wonder even the shuttle companies provide seats or some don't?
how do families with small kids transport from airport to the port? If you have to provide your own seat(s), that's extra stuff to lug around

I presuming in the taxi, we can use the regular seat belts for the toddler(considering my daughter is bit tall for her age).

last option to take the DCL bus? $60 vs $25+tip for cab.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

wonder even the shuttle companies provide seats or some don't?
how do families with small kids transport from airport to the port? If you have to provide your own seat(s), that's extra stuff to lug around

I presuming in the taxi, we can use the regular seat belts for the toddler(considering my daughter is bit tall for her age).

last option to take the DCL bus? $60 vs $25+tip for cab.

Legally, if your trip is before Jan 1, 2015, you can put your daughter in a seat belt only. After Jan 1 the law changes and she would have to be in a booster seat.

Generally, there are private shuttle companies that do have car seats/boosters. As noted, on busses you're not required to use car seats/boosters.

There are families that do transport their own car seats/boosters, due to concerns as to safety issues with car seats that have had multiple uses for an unknown number of years.

 

[bafleyanne]

Personally I would not let my child of similar age ride in a taxi without a car seat. If all else fails pick up a cheap seat (there are boosters you can get for $30 or so) and use it on the plane and in the cab. A booster wouldn't be too much of a pain to leave sitting in the stateroom and you might even want it for certain shore excursions.

 

[MunFam]

We will be arriving to MIA with our 4 year old and I was wondering the same thing, so I emailed the Florida Legislature directly on November 19, 2014 with the following:

Hello,

I am trying to translate the seat belt laws in the state of Florida. I see under 316.613 2: For children aged 4 through 5 years, a separate carrier, an integrated child seat, or a child booster seat may be used. However, the requirement to use a child restraint device under this subparagraph does not apply when a safety belt is used as required in s. 316.614(4)(a) and the child:

a. Is being transported gratuitously by an operator who is not a member of the child’s immediate family;

Our daughter will be four when we arrive and plan to take a taxi from the airport to the Port of Miami. She is over 40 inches and over 40 pounds already. Does this above referenced law mean that we can put her in the regular seat belt in the back seat of the taxi without traveling with an additional car seat? I have read all sorts of different answers on forums, but I would prefer to just know if this method of travel is against the law.

And then their reply:
Thank you for your question. The statutes you referenced are applicable. While this office is not permitted to engage in statutory interpretation or provide legal advice, please note s. 316.613(6) which states:

The child restraint requirements imposed by this section do not apply to a chauffeur-driven taxi, limousine, sedan, van, bus, motor coach, or other passenger vehicle if the operator and the motor vehicle are hired and used for the transportation of persons for compensation.

For questions or additional information, please contact the Division of Law Revision and Information at (850)488-4371 or email rev.info @ leg.state.fl.us.

NOTE: The primary mission of the Division of Law Revision and Information is to publish the Florida Statutes and to provide information about the legislative process upon request. The division cannot, by law, provide legal advice or statutory interpretation.

So with that information, no, it is not the law, but I think we will be bringing a cheapy booster seat with us just for added safety.

 

[ocspartan]

You're correct, I did some more looking: http://www.wesh.com/news/florida-booster-seat-laws-for-children-to-change-in-january/25741288 Do you know whether someone must supply their own car seat for taxis? Or are taxis exempt (I doubt it, just asking).

Unfortunately It does appear taxis are exempt.... This is a sub clause of the new law....

(6) The child restraint requirements imposed by this section do not apply to a chauffeur-driven taxi, limousine, sedan, van, bus, motor coach, or other passenger vehicle if the operator and the motor vehicle are hired and used for the transportation of persons for compensation.

From what I've heard many taxis carry car seats with them say in the Orlando area but that's bc of the high number of kids....but even then it's still up to the parents to request them, as I suspect many times they probably won't volunteer... So if you want to be sure of having a car seat probably hest to bring it yourself.

 

[sea2la]

Thanks for the information here!!!
I might bring an inexpensive booster seat. When in NYC didn't bother thinking about this matter when hailing a cab. Also when we were in Barcelona in June, we didn't use a booster seat with the taxis but requested a seat for private tours in Italy.

Do airlines allow free check-ins for car/booster seats? Flying AA

 

[DahliaRW]

In your situation, I'd invest in a bubblebum booster. Easy to haul around, and then your child will be safe in any vehicle (because a 4yo is never safe in just a belt). It'll easily fit in your luggage. http://www.bubblebum.co/us/

 

[CaliforniaMama]

I was wondering the same thing for my almost 5 year old, and while reading this thread I just thought of a good use for the booster seat on the ship. Someone suggested I bring a booster seat to the theatre when I took my son to see Beauty and the Beast a couple of years ago. I was so glad I did. I bet my daughter could use a booster seat for the shows on the ship too. (or do they already have them?) I am considering connecting ours somehow to a backpack for the air travel there.

 

[sea2la]

In your situation, I'd invest in a bubblebum booster. Easy to haul around, and then your child will be safe in any vehicle (because a 4yo is never safe in just a belt). It'll easily fit in your luggage. http://www.bubblebum.co/us/

Thanks
This is awesome for travel!

 

[mollyclairesmom]

We travel frequently, so a couple of years ago we invested in a RideSafer vest harness. We use it in taxis, rental cars, etc, and it safely accomodates kiddos that aren't big enough for a backless booster (but also older kids as well). It's super easy to pack flat in a carryon. Although many states don't require a booster/carseat for kids in taxis I just wasn't comfortable with that, so the vest has proven to be a great investment.

 

[richkaryn]

If you need a booster seat, I saw one at our local Walmart that is "inflatable" style travel booster seat and it folds up into a bag for easy storage/travel. I don't remember for sure but I'm thinking they were around $25.

 

[MunFam]

I was wondering the same thing for my almost 5 year old, and while reading this thread I just thought of a good use for the booster seat on the ship. Someone suggested I bring a booster seat to the theatre when I took my son to see Beauty and the Beast a couple of years ago. I was so glad I did. I bet my daughter could use a booster seat for the shows on the ship too. (or do they already have them?) I am considering connecting ours somehow to a backpack for the air travel there.

That is the best tip I have read so far on these forums and I have been lurking for quite a while before joining in!

 

[chimpwars]

In your situation, I'd invest in a bubblebum booster. Easy to haul around, and then your child will be safe in any vehicle (because a 4yo is never safe in just a belt). It'll easily fit in your luggage. http://www.bubblebum.co/us/

Yes, Bubblebum booster. We have 2 for our kids for only cruise travel. Otherwise 5yo is harnessed. There are some issues with some of the bladders leaking but the company is easy to work with and will send out a replacement easily and quickly. 1 was fine, the other leaked.

 

[sea2la]

Yes, Bubblebum booster. We have 2 for our kids for only cruise travel. Otherwise 5yo is harnessed. There are some issues with some of the bladders leaking but the company is easy to work with and will send out a replacement easily and quickly. 1 was fine, the other leaked.

thxs for heads up on possible leak bring my bicycle tire patch kit as backup.