What the law says
California requires a child passenger restraint for children under 8 years old, or under 4 feet 9 inches in height. Children under 2 must be rear-facing unless they exceed the manufacturer's height or weight limits.
This applies to hired vehicles in the ordinary case. It is not a formality — it is the reason a driver may decline the trip at the kerb.
Why rideshare struggles with it
A rideshare driver is using their own car and is not obliged to carry a seat. Most do not. Fitting one correctly takes time they are not paid for, and the liability is unattractive.
The result is familiar to any parent who has tried: a booking accepted, a driver who sees the car seat, and a cancellation. At 4am, with a flight to catch, that is not a minor inconvenience.
What to ask before booking
Any operator worth using should answer all five of these without hesitating.
- Do you carry car seats, and is there a charge?
- Which types — infant, convertible, booster?
- Who fits it, and is it fitted before you arrive?
- Can you take more than one seat in the same vehicle?
- Is there room for the seats and the luggage?
How we do it
Free, fitted by your driver before you come outside, and available in infant, convertible and booster. Tell us the ages when you book and the right seats are in the vehicle when it arrives.
Bring your own if you prefer — your driver will help fit it, and there is no charge either way.
