It is 5 a.m. in Darien. Your flight to Orlando leaves JFK at 8 a.m., and you have two kids, four bags and one stroller. The car is booked. Then a simple question hits you. Will there be a car seat for the baby?
Many parents ask the same thing before a trip. Do car services provide car seats, or do you need to bring your own? The answer depends on who you ride with, and the rules are not the same in every state.
This guide covers it all for Connecticut families. You will see what the law requires and what taxis, Uber and car services offer. You will also learn how to book an airport ride that fits your kids, your bags and your flight.
The Short Answer
Some car services provide car seats, but many do not. Most taxis and rideshares near Fairfield County do not supply them at all.
- Connecticut law sets car seat rules by age and weight for children up to age 8.
- Uber and Lyft offer car seat rides in a few big cities, not in Fairfield County.
- Private car services vary. Some charge for each seat, and some need you to bring your own.
- FinixLimo provides infant, toddler and booster seats for free. Just share each child’s age and weight when you book.
What Connecticut Car Seat Law Requires
Car seat laws in CT are set by age and weight. Here is a plain summary of the car seat requirements in Connecticut, from the Connecticut DMV.
| Your child | What CT law requires |
| Under age 2 or under 30 pounds | A rear-facing seat with a five-point harness |
| Age 2 to 5, or 30 to 40 pounds | A seat with a five-point harness, facing front or back |
| Age 5 to 8, or 40 to 60 pounds | A five-point harness or a booster seat with a lap and shoulder belt |
| Age 8 and up and at least 60 pounds | A seat belt or a booster seat |
A rear-facing seat can never go in the front seat of a car with an active airbag. The DMV also advises that kids under 13 ride in the back seat.
The rule applies to any person who drives a child in Connecticut. We found no carve-out for taxis or livery cars in that part of the law. A first violation means a required safety class, and repeat violations bring fines.
What About the Ride Home From New York?
New York has its own rules. Its child restraint law does not apply the car seat rules to taxis and livery cars. That means a New York taxi can take your toddler without a seat.
Legal and safe are not the same thing, though. A crash at highway speed is just as dangerous on the Van Wyck as on I-95. The NYC Taxi and Limousine Commission says riders can bring and use their own car seats, and many parents do.
Do Taxis, Uber and Car Services Provide Car Seats?
Here is what each type of ride offers families who need car seats.
Taxis
Most taxis do not carry car seats. If you take a taxi with a young child, plan to bring your own seat and install it yourself.
Uber and Lyft
Uber launched Uber Car Seat in New York City and Los Angeles in 2024. Lyft has offered a car seat ride in New York City since 2019. Outside those cities, including all of Fairfield County, you bring your own seat.
So do you need a car seat in an Uber? In Connecticut, the law points to yes.
Private Car Services
Car services are the most likely to help. Many offer seats on request, but the policies vary. Some charge a fee per seat, and some only offer boosters. If you are looking for a car service with car seats, ask about fees and seat types before you book.
FinixLimo provides infant, toddler and booster seats at no extra charge. You can see them with our other car seats and special requests. To compare a car service with rideshare, read our guide to car service vs Uber for airport trips.
How to Request Car Seats From a Car Service
A few details at booking time make sure the right seats show up. Do not wait until the car arrives to mention them.
What to Tell Us When You Book
- How many children are riding, and how many seats you need
- Each child’s age and weight
- The type of seat you want, such as rear-facing, forward-facing or booster
- Whether you need seats on both legs of the trip
- Your number of bags, plus any stroller or travel crib
- Your flight number, so pickup follows any delay
You can request child seats when you book online. Not sure which seat your child needs? Share the age and weight, and we will bring the seat that fits.
Bringing Your Own Car Seat
Some parents prefer their own seat because their child is used to it. That is fine with most car services, including FinixLimo. Leave a few extra minutes at pickup to install it.
If you plan to use the seat on the plane too, check its label. The FAA says approved seats state they are certified for use in motor vehicles and aircraft. Booster seats cannot be used on the plane during takeoff and landing.
Picking the Right Vehicle for Your Family
Car seats take up space. Each one uses a full seat, and a rear-facing seat can push the front seat forward. Add strollers and big suitcases, and a sedan fills up fast.
Most families with young kids do best in an SUV. With FinixLimo, a Suburban seats five people with room for five bags. Our larger SUVs seat up to six. Tell us your full count, and we will match the vehicle to your family.
- Two adults, one child and one car seat often fit in a midsize SUV.
- Two adults, two kids and two car seats need a full-size SUV.
- Grandparents coming along? Ask about our six-seat SUVs.
Our family airport rides cover JFK, LaGuardia, Newark, Westchester and Bradley.
Checking the Seat Before You Ride
Even with a seat provided, take a minute to look before you pull away. Make sure it faces the right way for your child’s age and that the harness is buckled snug.
If anything looks off, ask the chauffeur to stop and check it with you. At FinixLimo, our chauffeurs are licensed, background-checked and insured. Take the time you need.
For your own seat at home, get a free check from a certified technician. Safe Kids lists car seat checks and techs you can search by location.
Airport Day Tips for Parents
Travel days with kids go better with a little planning. These habits help at any airport.
- Book early for holiday weeks, when family travel peaks.
- Pick a pickup time with extra room for diaper changes and slow mornings.
- Ask for meet and greet on the way home, so someone helps with bags at arrivals.
- Choose the airport with care. Our guide to the closest airport to Stamford compares HPN, LaGuardia, JFK and Newark.
- Flying from JFK? See getting from Stamford to JFK for drive times and options.
- Pack snacks, wipes and a small toy in a bag you keep in the car.
Holiday Travel With Little Ones
Thanksgiving and the December holidays are the busiest weeks for family trips from Fairfield County. Car services book up early, and seats for kids can run short at companies with only a few.
- Reserve your ride as soon as your flights are set.
- Request car seats for both legs in the same booking.
- Plan for traffic on I-95 and the Hutchinson River Parkway, and leave earlier than you think.
- If your child flies in their own car seat, ask your airline if you can check a spare one. Most U.S. airlines check car seats at no charge, but policies vary.
With FinixLimo, you can cancel for free up to 24 hours before pickup. So it costs nothing to book early and adjust later if your plans change.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Most car seat problems on airport days come from a few small slips.
- Assuming every car service brings seats without asking.
- Giving the age but not the weight of each child.
- Forgetting to request seats for the ride home.
- Booking a sedan for two car seats, a stroller and four bags.
- Holding a child on your lap because the trip is short.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do car services provide car seats in Connecticut?
Some do, and some do not. Policies and fees vary by company. FinixLimo provides infant, toddler and booster seats for free when you share each child’s age and weight.
Is there an extra charge for car seats?
It depends on the company. Some charge a fee for each seat. With FinixLimo, car seats come at no extra charge.
What does Connecticut law require for a 2-year-old?
A 2-year-old needs a car seat with a five-point harness. If the child weighs under 30 pounds, the seat must face the rear.
Can a child ride in a limo or taxi without a car seat in Connecticut?
Connecticut’s car seat rule applies to any person who drives a child, and we found no taxi or livery carve-out in it. The safe choice is the right seat on every ride.
Do you need a car seat in an Uber?
In Connecticut, yes. Uber offers car seat rides in New York City and Los Angeles only, so bring your own seat in Fairfield County.
Can I bring my own car seat?
Yes. Most car services, including FinixLimo, are happy for you to use your own seat. Allow a few extra minutes to install it.
Which vehicle fits two adults, two kids and two car seats?
A full-size SUV is the best fit. It leaves room for the seats plus your suitcases and stroller.
Book a Family Ride With the Right Seats
So, do car services provide car seats? Some do, but you should never assume. Ask before you book, give each child’s age and weight and match the vehicle to your family.
FinixLimo serves Stamford, Greenwich, Darien, New Canaan and towns across Fairfield County. We bring the right seats at no extra cost and track your flight both ways. Have a question first? Contact our team any time. You can also read more about our chauffeurs.
Traveling With Little Ones?
Tell us your children’s ages and weights when you book. FinixLimo provides infant, toddler and booster seats at no extra charge.Request Child Seats When You Book · Call (203) 570-9898
