Most parents with children who have outgrown their child seat don’t think twice any more about graduating them into booster seats in the family car, but what are the legal requirements when it comes to taxis?   This is a great question, though the answer is not always as straightforward as you might think.  For some states, it’s downright difficult to track down!

We took a look at 6 large cities where taking a taxicab is commonplace.  In four of them, New York City, Baltimore, Chicago and San Francisco, the law exempts taxis from existing booster seat laws.  Technically, therefore, kids could get by with an adult seat belt.  Is this a good idea?  We don’t think so.

On the other hand, in Boston and Philadelphia, also large cities with high rates of taxi usage, the law considers taking a cab to be no different than regular passenger vehicles when it comes to child restraints.  While we welcome the intent of the law, this does not necessarily mean all cabs are equipped with appropriate booster seats.  In fact, most taxi drivers like to keep their trunks available for their passengers’ luggage, so they are unlikely to have a booster seat on hand for your child to use.

We feel that whether the law requires booster seats or not, children are likely to be safest when using their own booster seat.  That is the best – and often the quickest – way to ensure a proper fit.  Plus, you have the satisfaction of knowing the seat has not been involved in any accidents and how old it is.  For many parents, it is reassuring to know that only their child has used it.

If you live in any of these cities, what has been your experience with taxicabs?  What about other cities?