Traveling Safely with a Newborn in a Taxi
Under regulation, a taxi is not required to have a child booster seat. So, a taxi can convey children below 1.35m, including newborns. Unless you bring your own car seat, taking a taxi or Uber isn’t a safe choice for your baby. Often "car seats" don’t meet standards. You can’t just carry a newborn home. Leaving hospital with a newborn, you’re going to need a car seat. Many think hospitals simply won’t discharge newborns unless you have a fitted car seat. This isn’t true.
State Regulations and Safety Measures
It’s advised to limit newborn car journeys to 30 minutes. Take breaks every 2 to 3 hours for day trips, 4 to 6 hours at night. Change diapers, feed your baby. New York State law requires an infant car seat when leaving hospital with your baby in a car. It is not required by law to have a car seat in a bus or taxi. But it’s the safest way to transport your baby. If in a taxi with your toddler but no car seat, put the child in his own seat belt. Pull it snug. Try to make the lap portion very low, very snug on thighs. You can travel without a car seat in a taxi – but only on a rear seat. Children 3 or older must wear adult seat belts. Those under 3 can’t use seat belts. Only 1 person per seat belt. Know regulations on traveling with a baby in taxis where you live/are going. Find out if taxis must provide car seats. If age restrictions for child seating positions. Avoid rush hours. Mornings, evenings usually busiest times. Too hectic with a baby. 13cabs offers taxi services with baby seats, ensuring safe, comfortable journeys for little ones. Book for a worry-free journey.
Bringing a Newborn Home Safely
Whenever travelling by car, little ones should always be kept safe in the appropriate safety seat for their age all the way up until they are 12 years old or 135cm tall – with the exception of the odd taxi ride here and there!
Can you take a newborn home in a taxi? You can’t just carry them home, and obviously they can’t just sit next to you in a car or taxi. When leaving hospital with a newborn, you’re going to need a car seat. Often times these “car seats” are from unknown foreign manufacturers and don’t say anything about meeting federal motor vehicle standards (specifically FMVSS 213).
In Victoria, taxis do not have to provide child restraints or booster seats for customers. However, they must have at least one anchorage point if passengers want to bring their own child restraint.
You should learn the state regulations on traveling with a baby in a taxi where you live and where you’re going. Find out if the taxis in your area are obligated to provide passengers with baby car seats or if you can go with yours.
Can you walk home from hospital? Your options taking a taxi, a bus, or you walking baby home and your partner going by taxi. You can’t take children under 3 on a long journey without the correct child car seat, unless in a licensed taxi and the child travels on a rear seat.