need clarification about Florida car seat laws

[lshaffer]

Please help me as I plan my first trip to WDW in Nov 2006. There are four of us my husband, myself, and 2 sons ages 8 and 5. We will be flying into Sanford/Orlando (airline confirmed that I do not need a car seat for the flight). We will be renting a car to take us from the airport to WDW. Does anyone know if I need carseats for a 5 year and an 8 year old to use in the rental car? If so can you rent them from the rental agency or is that a bad idea? Thanks in advance for your help.
Lisa

 

[Horace Horsecollar]

From the Florida Department of Transportation Occupant Protection FAQ:

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).​

 

[la79al]

Just FYI we rented a car last year with DD 4. We actually took her booster seat along as checked luggage on the plane and were glad we did. Although she is very tall for her age, she would have had problems seeing out the windows of the rental car and would have missed things, including the armadillo walking alongside the road. We considered renting one with the rental car until we read that availability was not guaranteed. Since we had extra luggage allowance, we just grabbed one of hers from home and they stuck the luggage tag right on it and checked it.

 

[dudspizza]

http://www.fhp.state.fl.us/html/Floridalaw/fllaw.html

Duds