uber/car seat

[shaunbabka]

I know florida law says the child has to be in a car seat 5 and under. my question is there a weight limit guidline too? she's exceptionally tall and is around 68 pounds. we don't plan on uber too much but would will a few times

 

[cmph]

5 and under requires a restraint system, but that doesn't mean a full car seat. If she's too big for a car seat and i think over 3, a booster seat will be fine. Those are much easier to transport around, but not necessarily easy... although they do make the inflatable donut types, which I haven't personally used.

My kids are SUPER tall too (my 7yo is 4'10"), so I have had to research the varying laws for every state we travel to over the years. Generally, the most important part for kids after the baby/toddler stage is height, not weight - b/c they need to be tall enough for the seat belt to cross their bodies in the correct location. Weight mostly comes into issue for the full size car seats, b/c each manufacturer has a different weight limit for their different models.

I would be remiss if I didn't add that you should probably check on FL laws again before you go... states seem to change and update car seat / booster seat laws rather often, and if you don't live in that state, it wouldn't be something you'd find out w/o digging for the info.

 

[Vijoge]

http://www.leg.state.fl.us/statutes...ng=&URL=0300-0399/0316/Sections/0316.613.html

 

[disprincess2213]

We have friends that traveled in an uber with a 4 year old at WDW and actually brought their booster from home, the one they use daily and it wasn't a problem. When we needed a ride somewhere with DH who is 3 now, we called a taxi for her with a car seat to get from our resort to DTD and it was fine!

 

[CarrieR]

As long as your child is at least 4, you could consider a BubbleBum (inflatable booster) or a ride safer travel vest. Younger than 4, I would recommend an actual car seat.

An uber is still a motor vehicle. I work in passenger safety at a large children's hospital and I promise... you don't ever want to find out what happens to a preschooler restrained in only an adult seatbelt in a crash. :/

 

[shaunbabka]

"ubertip" according to the app says the car seats are for a 2-6 year olds with a weight up to 55 pounds. my daughter is 68 lbs and 50 inches. funny how everyone always guesses she's at least 7 or 8 comparing herself to other kids her age still below the requirement of florida law. why would uber even offer seats if they don't meet the weight requirement of 80lbs?

princess what did you do with the seat when you were out and about? I don't mind taking it to a dining reservation, but wouldn't want to lug it around a park

 

[supersnoop]

Uber and other cars services where someone else drives are exempt from the car seat law.

Someone else will come along and interpret the law to mean that the parents are still responsible to use a car seat. That's not how I read the law, and I've never found any court cases supporting that opinion. Read it yourself and do what you're comfortable with.

 

[atykay]

I moonlight as an uber driver (not in Florida) and would not feel comfortable transporting a child that's not properly restrained. My 7 year old is around your child's height and weight and is still in a booster. That being said, Orlando has uberFamily where you can request it specifically to have a booster seat.

 

[cmph]

Honestly, I would use a booster still, b/c FL law is a little behind compared to most states. The majority of states say they need to be in a booster up to age 8 unless they get to 4'9" (and even then, some times it's difficult to read if they mean they have to be 4'9" or TALLER than 4'9"). This is purely b/c of where the seat belt will cross the child; shorter than that, it crosses their neck instead of chest. My 7yo literally just hit 4'10" in the last few weeks and today was the first time we took the booster out of our car. I think the inflatable thing is the way to go if you aren't using the buses the whole time.

 

[Muskrat191]

Florida law is very much behind best practice when it comes to restraining children in vehicles. Most kids require a booster for proper seat belt fit until somewhere between ages 10-12. We have one province in Canada that requires age 9 and under in a car seat or booster unless the child is over 4'9". I have never used the BubbleBum (I am in Canada and it doesn't pass our testing), but I would definitely use/bring some type of car seat or booster for any child under 4'9".

 

[cdnjason]

You can request an Uber with a car seat in WDW. We were there the beginning of the month and did it all week.

 

[2binak]

As long as your child is at least 4, you could consider a BubbleBum (inflatable booster) or a ride safer travel vest. Younger than 4, I would recommend an actual car seat.

OP - We used a BubbleBum for DD on our last trip and it worked really well. She was around 55lbs and said it was comfortable. It comes with it's own bag to store it in when you're not using it. It deflates to 12" x 6".

 

[JustUsAndJellybean]

We use the Safety 1st Boostapak and it is awesome. It's a booster that doubles as a backpack and it goes pretty much everywhere with us. We find it to be a better fit for our family than the inflatable boosters.

 

[joelkfla]

Uber and other cars services where someone else drives are exempt from the car seat law.

Someone else will come along and interpret the law to mean that the parents are still responsible to use a car seat. That's not how I read the law, and I've never found any court cases supporting that opinion. Read it yourself and do what you're comfortable with.

(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. It is the obligation and responsibility of the parent, guardian, or other person responsible for a child’s welfare as defined in s. 39.01 to comply with the requirements of this section.
​

How do you read that as not saying the parents remain responsible, seeing that it is a part of the paragraph dealing only with taxis etc.?

 

[pd1138]

I moonlight as an uber driver (not in Florida) and would not feel comfortable transporting a child that's not properly restrained. My 7 year old is around your child's height and weight and is still in a booster. That being said, Orlando has uberFamily where you can request it specifically to have a booster seat.

I have a question I tried getting answered elsewhere..... I understand I could request an uber with a car seat, but I would need a car seat AND a booster. Can that be requested? Would we have to wait a long time?

 

[joelkfla]

I have a question I tried getting answered elsewhere..... I understand I could request an uber with a car seat, but I would need a car seat AND a booster. Can that be requested? Would we have to wait a long time?

No boosters. Only 1 car seat per vehicle.

 

[CarrieR]

Maybe you could request one with a car seat and then carry a Bubblebum? Or a boostpak, or a MiFold (although belt fit is hit or miss with those)?

I haven't heard great things about the UberFamily in Orlando, so end user beware. NYC/DC's program had some oversight and training - this is new of "yep, driver will provide seat" and no guarantees on make/model/history. But still, if the option is UberFamily w car seat or lap in a taxi...

 

[joelkfla]

Maybe you could request one with a car seat and then carry a Bubblebum? Or a boostpak, or a MiFold (although belt fit is hit or miss with those)?

I haven't heard great things about the UberFamily in Orlando, so end user beware. NYC/DC's program had some oversight and training - this is new of "yep, driver will provide seat" and no guarantees on make/model/history. But still, if the option is UberFamily w car seat or lap in a taxi...

In NYC, which I think was the pilot program, Uber provided car seats and instructed and checked out the drivers on installation. In Orlando, drivers are given a list of approved car seats (I think there were about 10) and have to buy one at their own expense. They then have to submit a picture of the label to prove it's current, and a picture of the seat installed in their vehicle. There was a required "brief training session," but I don't know exactly what that entailed.

Did you know you can start the Uber app and set your pickup location to anywhere just to check availability, and also get a fare estimate? I just did that for CSR, and it initially showed no car seats available, and then it went to 19 minutes estimated wait, so apparently the car seats are not plentiful.

 

[CarrieR]

Yes. NYC & DC were overseen by Dr. Alisa Baer. I read something that indicated to me that she felt strongly about folks being aware that she wasn't connected with the Orlando version of the program.

 

[pd1138]

In NYC, which I think was the pilot program, Uber provided car seats and instructed and checked out the drivers on installation. In Orlando, drivers are given a list of approved car seats (I think there were about 10) and have to buy one at their own expense. They then have to submit a picture of the label to prove it's current, and a picture of the seat installed in their vehicle. There was a required "brief training session," but I don't know exactly what that entailed.

Did you know you can start the Uber app and set your pickup location to anywhere just to check availability, and also get a fare estimate? I just did that for CSR, and it initially showed no car seats available, and then it went to 19 minutes estimated wait, so apparently the car seats are not plentiful.

Thank you! Very good information to know. If we have to wait approx 20-30 minutes or more we may be fine with the bus at that point. I've been looking at the bubble bum and might have that anyway with us in case we need it. It's not that much money for a little peace of mind.