Key Takeaways
- Lyft Car Seat offers rides with car seats for an additional fee, currently available only in New York City.
- Through the Lyft app, select the Car Seat option and pay an extra $10 fee.
- The service utilizes the forward-facing IMMI Go seat for children between 31-52 inches tall and 22-48 pounds, at least 2 years old.
- Passengers can bring their own car seat, ensuring it meets state and city regulations for safety.
Does Lyft Have Car Seats?
Yes, Lyft offers a car seat mode in New York City, allowing parents to request rides that come with a car seat for an additional fee.
This service aims to make traveling with children more convenient and safer, providing a specialized car seat for the child’s journey.
However, the service is limited to forward-facing IMMI Go car seats, suitable for children who meet specific size and weight criteria.
Can You Bring Your Own Car Seat During a Lyft Ride?
Yes, you can bring your own car seat during a Lyft ride if your child does not fit into the provided IMMI Go car seat.
The car seat you bring must comply with the legal requirements for car seats in your state and city, taking into account your child’s age and the specific regulations applicable.
When you bring your own car seat, you are responsible for installing it properly in the Lyft vehicle.
To ensure safe installation, you should:
- Read the car seat’s manual for guidance on usage and installation.
- Separate the seat base from the chair to prevent strap entanglement during installation.
- Confirm that all buckles and seat belts are securely fastened after installation.
Drivers have the right to cancel a ride if passengers don’t have a car seat for their child passenger when required.
Don’t try to bend the rules, either. Lyft’s minor policy is fairly forgiving, but they don’t mess around when it comes to safety.
After all, children’s safety should come above all else, without question.
Brett’s Take: Thoughts From an Expert
I recommend that passengers handle the installation of their own car seats, not the drivers.
I caution drivers to exercise an immense amount of caution during these rides due to the liability of potentially installing the car seat incorrectly.
They can help the rider understand the setup of their car, but they should in no way put themselves in a position to be responsible for securing the child.
Types of Car Seats Offered by Lyft
Lyft only provides riders with one type of car seat–the forward-facing IMMI Go car seat. While the options are limited, that’s all you need to travel safely with your child.
The seat is one of the best models on the market and has a high safety margin. For starters, it comes with multiple straps that can secure your child in place while ensuring their comfort.
Plus, the buckle can handle massive forces without moving an inch. So, you can rest assured that your baby will stay safe as long as they’re in the seat.
However, there are a few drawbacks to the IMMI Go car seat. For instance, the chair only accommodates babies between 31 inches and 52 inches in height.
On top of that, it’ll only support children who are around 22 to 48 pounds. Sadly, if your baby doesn’t match these criteria, you won’t be able to use Lyft car seat mode.
Finally, the IMMI Go is only suitable for children at least two years old. Because of that, you have to keep your baby’s age in mind when ordering a Lyft.
Brett’s Take: Thoughts From an Expert
I suggest doing a little bit of research into the IMMI Go car seat before requesting the Lyft car seat service.
If you don’t think this car seat is a good option, or you don’t trust one provided by a third-party service, invest in your own.
There are compact and portable car seat models available that are convenient for travel and can be quickly installed and removed.
How to Request a Lyft with a Car Seat
Step 1: Download the Lyft App
To get access to the car seat service, you need the Lyft app. Thankfully, this process is simple, and the software is available for both iOS and Android.
Because of that, you should be able to install the app in a flash.
After that, create a Lyft account to start requesting rides. Launch the app and follow the sign-up instructions.
At this point, Lyft will ask you to provide a few crucial pieces of data. These include your name, phone number, location, and banking information.
Step 2: Choose Your Ride Type
There are several types of Lyft services, each with unique benefits and drawbacks. Once you’re done setting up your account, the ride-sharing business will allow you to choose which service you use.
For this step, you want to pick Car Seat Mode. This is the only option that provides specialized care for babies.
While this service will provide extra care for your child, it’s crucial you know it comes at an additional cost. When you order a car seat ride, Lyft can charge you a supplementary $10 fee.
Step 3: Set Your Pickup and Drop-Off Locations
As soon as you choose the car seat option on Lyft, you’re ready to request a ride.
All that’s left is to enter your pickup and drop-off locations and hit the Find Driver button.
The app will then scour your surrounding area for drivers with car seats. Typically, it should only take a few minutes to pair you with a Lyft, but this can change depending on where you live.
Speaking of where you live, this service is only available in New York City. However, Lyft is planning on expanding the reach of car seat mode in the future.
Finally, driver availability may change based on the time of day.
Related: How to request a car seat using Uber
Tips for a Smooth Ride with Children
When using the Lyft car seat service for the first time, follow these tips for a smooth experience:
- Communicate Clearly: Before you start your ride, talk to your Lyft driver about your needs. Discuss the car seat provided by Lyft and decide together if it’s best to use theirs or if you should bring your own.
- Discuss Luggage: Typically, the driver will help with your luggage while you install the car seat and secure your child. However, practices may vary by driver, so it’s good to confirm this beforehand.
- Bring Entertainment: Pack a few toys and snacks to keep your child entertained during the ride.
- Consider Tipping: Tipping your driver is encouraged, especially since they’re offering an additional service by accommodating your child’s car seat needs. Show your appreciation with a tip.
Safety Precautions Lyft Takes to Keep Riders Safe
There are quite a few regulations in place to ensure your safety when traveling with a baby. Right off the bat, Lyft guarantees that all vehicles undergo inspections frequently.
This means you won’t have to worry about the car being unsafe for you or your child. Aside from that, there are several requirements drivers must meet to qualify for the car seat program.
That includes passing a background check and completing safety training. Plus, drivers need to take a course on how to properly install and uninstall a car seat.
Because of that, you can rest assured, you’re in safe hands. Moving on, drivers are responsible for ensuring the car seat is secure and in proper working condition.
However, we all know that it takes a village to keep a baby safe. So, there are a few safety responsibilities that’ll fall on the parent.
First up, the riders have to examine the seat and check that it won’t budge out of place. On top of that, the parent will need to secure the straps around their child.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Uber Also Offer Car Seats?
Yes, just like Lyft, Uber offers car seats for riders traveling with a child. Although, there are a few differences when it comes to requirements and specifications for the service.
Is it Safe to Take a Lyft or Taxi With a Car Seat?
Yes, as long as you make sure the car seat is installed properly, it should be perfectly safe. That’s why you have to examine the chair before you secure your child with straps.
Wrapping Up
If you’re traveling with a child, you can make use of Lyft’s car seat service. For an extra $10, you can order a vehicle that comes equipped with everything you need to safely ride a car with your child.
So, next time you need to commute with a baby, consider the Lyft car seat service for stress-free and secure travel with your child.
