Regardless of legal requirements regarding booster seat usage when renting a cab, the practical considerations are often a different kettle of fish.  For one thing, even if you are traveling with only one child, carrying a booster seat around the city can be cumbersome, to put it mildly.  For another, your taxi driver may not always be as accommodating as you had hoped.

We have been asking parents about their experiences, and this is what they advised:

• Plan your trip.  You might wish to call the taxi company beforehand to ask for a vehicle equipped with booster seats or to confirm that you will be bringing your own.
• If you are hailing a cab on the street, make sure the driver understands you need to install your booster seat before driving away, even if this is going to take a couple of extra minutes.
• Leave the cab door open when installing the seat so the driver does not drive away before you and your child are settled.
• If your driver is uncooperative, don’t hesitate to find another taxi.  Take down the vehicle number and do be sure to lodge an official complaint afterwards.
• Remember to tip the driver appropriately, especially if you received attentive service.
• If you are traveling with your own seat, don’t forget to take it with you when you get out of the cab!

What other advice do you have for taxi travel with children?

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?