Car Seats required in Miami Taxis?

[PR Cruisers]

I am going to Miami next August and want to know, taxis in Miami required car seats for childs under 2?

 

If they are required, what can I do for transportation in Miami with my 15 month DD if I do not have a car seat with me?

[6rugrats]

Required by law, and a cab driver will not take you without a car seat.

 

Bring the seat, or use a shuttle.

[ilmoore]

We were just in Miami last week and the taxi drivers didn't bat an eye about not having a carseat. We took a short ride to our hotel and my 20 month old son sat on my lap.

 

We were actually waiting for a shuttle when a taxi pulled up and we asked about not having the carseat and he said no problem.

[6rugrats]

We were just in Miami last week and the taxi drivers didn't bat an eye about not having a carseat. We took a short ride to our hotel and my 20 month old son sat on my lap.

 

We were actually waiting for a shuttle when a taxi pulled up and we asked about not having the carseat and he said no problem.

 

And it was o.k. with you also, since people in cabs never get into accidents, right? It was illegal for these drivers to transport you without a car seat, and you were wrong, and also breaking the law, to carry your child in your lap.

 

I will never, ever understand how many times, someone comes to this board and asks, "Is it o.k. to leave my car seat at home?" No, it's never o.k. if your child will be riding in a car.

 

Children are inconvenient at times, but as crusinmama06 so eloquently put it, "I bet it's easier hauling a car seat around then escorting those little coffins home"."

Edited January 18, 2010 by 6rugrats

[lennythenose]

I saw someone mention earlier to either bring the carseat or take a shuttle. I was just wondering what the difference would be between the shuttle and a taxi either legally or for safety?

[asylum575]

To answer the last question. Shuttles aren't required to transport children in a carseat, taxis are. In fact, most shuttles I've been on, don't even have seat belts.

 

We take shuttles to and from the airports. The car seats are useless in alot of ports. Most taxis I've been in don't have seat belts, not to mention LATCH bars. We plan our port days walking around or take a bus.

[MNmomof4]

Actually there is a reason we have seat belt laws. It's also recommended by the medical associations. Some states would consider it child endangerment to be driving around with a young child on your lap. I always bring a car seat and don't think twice about it. I changed one of my cruises because I thought it was too port intensive and not too much we could do by walking around. Your car seat should store easily in your cabin.

[alise007]

We do the same thing--avoid taking the car seats as much as possible. I am sure we have been in shuttles and taxis without anyone batting an eye. Even in Canada. Thought of hauling a car seat around an airport stresses me out-for what should be a fun event. We changed our travel plans last year to driving instead of flying so we would have our carseats with us because we knew knew we would be doing a lot of driving in Canada.

 

This is a topic that brings out many strong opinions. On more than 1 board I visit. The predominant answer you will find--is bring your carseat no matter what the other variables are. Just do what you feel is best because you are not going to get an approving answer.

[poppan]

I think I looked up the Florida law and it says car seats required through the age of 3, and age 4-5 can use a car seat, booster seat or seat belt if they're big enough (which most kids wouldn't be). Taxis are not exempt from the requirement.

 

There is a Super Shuttle right at Miami Airport and it was $15 per person to downtown/port of Miami. We ended up renting a car and car seats from Hertz, otherwise I was going to take the shuttle.

 

Having said all that, I do take risks sometimes, and I consider it my own business.

[TravelMomma281]

Some cabs have built in carseats. I'm wondering how much more common this is. We happened to get one of these when traveling from our hotel to the airport in Victoria, BC.

 

What most people may not be aware is that in Canada only Canadian carseats are legal. If you are using a carseat from the US or any other country it is considered illegal to use. The car seat manufacturing standards are tougher in Canada than the US. This is only a concern if you get in an accident and you try to sue for injury to your child b/c no one is going to question where you bought your carseat.

[crusinmama06]

We were just in Miami last week and the taxi drivers didn't bat an eye about not having a carseat. We took a short ride to our hotel and my 20 month old son sat on my lap.

 

We were actually waiting for a shuttle when a taxi pulled up and we asked about not having the carseat and he said no problem.

 

I have to say, you got lucky. There have been far more parents come back from Miami and tell us that they were denied a taxi because they didn't have a car seat for the baby. You have been the first to tell us the opposite.

 

Here's my opinion (take it or leave it). If you wouldn't drive down the street in your own neighborhood without strapping your child in, then why would you trust some stranger in another city (or country)? :cool: The laws of physics don't change because you left your hometown.

 

The majority of our cruises have been out of Florida. So many many times we have been asked "Where is your car seat?", a quick turn (I keep a travel car seat strapped over my shoulder) and we are on our way.

 

The only way to avoid needing the car seat is by taking a FULL sized bus - like the cruise line transfer service. They do not have seat belts. So you wouldn't be safe using a seat belt on those.

 

Have a safe and happy cruise. :D

[drakes2]

What about taking a taxi or uber within a 6 year old. Would i need to travel with my own booster seat from Canada. Cruising out of Miami and like to use uber.

 

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[cb at sea]

Yes..bring what you need.

[flhokie]

What about taking a taxi or uber within a 6 year old. Would i need to travel with my own booster seat from Canada. Cruising out of Miami and like to use uber.

 

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If you want to use a booster seat you would need to bring it, but it's not required by FL law for a 6 year old.

 

Since DD has gotten older, we've traveled with a bubble bum inflatable booster seat. It packs flat in a suitcase (& is easy to carry in a tote/backpack) and is very easy to pull out and use. We have even used it at home when DD has gone with a family member who did not have a booster seat. I highly recommend it!

 

As for the original poster, check on car services (might be able to provide a car seat) or the cruise line shuttle if you don't want to bring a car seat. We drove to cruise ports when DD was little, but never took her car seat onboard (stayed on ship or did things that didn't require car travel). When we flew we never took a car seat either (had one to use at the destination--either a friend/family or got one through the rental car company).

[gymbomb]

Some cabs have built in carseats. I'm wondering how much more common this is. We happened to get one of these when traveling from our hotel to the airport in Victoria, BC.

 

What most people may not be aware is that in Canada only Canadian carseats are legal. If you are using a carseat from the US or any other country it is considered illegal to use. The car seat manufacturing standards are tougher in Canada than the US. This is only a concern if you get in an accident and you try to sue for injury to your child b/c no one is going to question where you bought your carseat.

 

 

 

It is actually ok for people visiting from the US to use US car seats in Canada. It is just people who live there who are required to use Canadian seats.

 

 

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[gymbomb]

What about taking a taxi or uber within a 6 year old. Would i need to travel with my own booster seat from Canada. Cruising out of Miami and like to use uber.

 

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Legally, no. To actually be safe, yes.

 

 

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