Taxi with kids?

[ToTLaugher]

I have been considering calling a taxi to go from POR to Poly.
Has anyone used taxis with kids who are suppose to be in car seats? Do you have to bring your car seat or do they ride without one?
Can you tell I am a suburbanite and never use taxis?

 

[o2bacelt]

That's funny, I was just wondering the same thing. I'm subbing so I can see if anyone knows the answer.

 

[ducklite]

Car seats are not required in cabs. Some cabs have them, but that's the exception, not the rule.

Anne

 

[ToTLaugher]

Thanks Ducklite!

Glad to know I am not the only one wondering this, Chris!

 

[jodifla]

Car seats are not required in cabs. Some cabs have them, but that's the exception, not the rule.

Anne

Is that true in Florida, too? I knew it was true in places like NYC, but I haven't been able to find the applicable Florida law.

 

[ducklite]

Is that true in Florida, too? I knew it was true in places like NYC, but I haven't been able to find the applicable Florida law.

Yup, same rules pretty much.

Anne

 

[Edd]

Children under the age of 4 years old have to be in a child seat, not just a booster, in Florida. The Florida seatbelt law includes the taxi cabs, town cars, vans and shuttle vans. If you are returning from one of the other theme parks you can request a child seat from the taxi starter. The starter will attempt to comply with your request. If you, for sure, would like a car seat for your child than you can request transportation from one of the many car service or transportation sites on the web. Many of the companies or individuals provide car seat and boosters free.

 

[Edd]

Ducklite,

Carseats are required in taxis, town cars, vans and shuttle vans. Most rides out of the airport do not require child seats. If a person has a child less than 4 years of age or even looks like they are less than 4 years old the taxi starter will request a van or sedan that is carrying a child seat to accommodate the child. Town cars do not like to carry the child seat because it takes up to much room in the trunk and their space is limited inside the car, but will have one on request. Vans and SUV's servicing the airport usually carry one babyseat and have the capability of multiple babyseats upon request.

 

[ducklite]

Ducklite,

Carseats are required in taxis, town cars, vans and shuttle vans. Most rides out of the airport do not require child seats. If a person has a child less than 4 years of age or even looks like they are less than 4 years old the taxi starter will request a van or sedan that is carrying a child seat to accommodate the child. Town cars do not like to carry the child seat because it takes up to much room in the trunk and their space is limited inside the car, but will have one on request. Vans and SUV's servicing the airport usually carry one babyseat and have the capability of multiple babyseats upon request.

Interesting, because my sister had MANY cabs tell her they weren't required. She wouldn't put the kids in without one though, and several times they ended up taking the "long way" by using WDW transportation...

Anne

 

[Edd]

You might want to read Florida Statutes 316.613 Child restraint requirements. Mears and Beeline shuttle vans are not exempt from this statute.

 

[ducklite]

You might want to read Florida Statutes 316.613 Child restraint requirements. Mears and Beeline shuttle vans are not exempt from this statute.

Wow. I guess someone had better let an awful lot of drivers know about this.

Anne

 

[Edd]

The drivers know about the laws. Parents who let their small children ride in vehicles without seat belts are irresponsible.

 

[ducklite]

The drivers know about the laws. Parents who let their small children ride in vehicles without seat belts are irresponsible.

Drivers who tell parents from other areas that the law doesn't apply to livery vehicles are just as bad.

Particularly on shuttle vans where often there are no seat belts (like the ones used by the car rental companies)

Anne

 

[jodifla]

Children under the age of 4 years old have to be in a child seat, not just a booster, in Florida. The Florida seatbelt law includes the taxi cabs, town cars, vans and shuttle vans. If you are returning from one of the other theme parks you can request a child seat from the taxi starter. The starter will attempt to comply with your request. If you, for sure, would like a car seat for your child than you can request transportation from one of the many car service or transportation sites on the web. Many of the companies or individuals provide car seat and boosters free.

Frankly, I don't know how this is possible now that I think about it. The Avis shuttle buses we've used since DS was born don't have seatbelts.

 

[Plantlady]

I tried to get a cab in Chicago a couple years ago, but they wouldn't take us, because we had a 9 month old with us, and he didn't have a carseat. (we hadn't thought about that, we were walking everywhere, and need to get to the train quickly).

 

[Edd]

Read the Florida Statute 316.613 Child Restraint Requirements.

(1)(a) Every operator of a motor vehicle as defined herein, while transporting a child in a motor vehicle operated on the roadways, streets, or highways of this state, shall, if the child is 5 years of age or younger, provide for portection of the child by properly using a crash-tested, federally approved child restraint device. For children aged through 3 years, such restraint, device must be a separate carrier or a vehicle manufacturer's integrated child seat. For children aged 4 through 5 years, a separate carrier, an integrated child seat, or a seat belt may be used.

 

[jodifla]

Read the Florida Statute 316.613 Child Restraint Requirements.

(1)(a) Every operator of a motor vehicle as defined herein, while transporting a child in a motor vehicle operated on the roadways, streets, or highways of this state, shall, if the child is 5 years of age or younger, provide for portection of the child by properly using a crash-tested, federally approved child restraint device. For children aged through 3 years, such restraint, device must be a separate carrier or a vehicle manufacturer's integrated child seat. For children aged 4 through 5 years, a separate carrier, an integrated child seat, or a seat belt may be used.

But it doesn't include buses.

 

[DaisyD]

I don't think that law applies to cars for hire. That includes buses, taxis, shuttles, and so on. The law is only speaking of private cars.

 

[Edd]

The law does not say anything about whether you are commercial or private, a child must be in a proper restraint device in Florida. It is the law. Yes school busses and commercial busses are exempt. No matter what, if you put the little child in a private or commercial vehicle without a seat belt or a child seat you are risking its life, in the event of a crash. Brittany, you just don't understand.

 

[DaisyD]

The OP asked about a car seat. The statute says a seat belt can be used depending on the age of the child. If the OP a child 4 or over then she can use a seat belt.

As to your smart *** remark I am not Brittany. I haved always used a carseat with my child, bought her own seats on planes and so on. She is 7 and I still have her in a booster. The O wanted to know what the requirement was. BTW EDD are you a towncar driver? Seems as though you have a vendetta against certain services?