how to travel with a baby in a taxi uk

As we all know traveling by taxi can be easy and simple, but what about children? We must take a look and find a comfortable child car seat for our kids to keep them safe and comfortable. However, it’s not possible to bring a car seat everywhere that’s why we should first talk with taxi drivers about a car seat while booking a taxi.

We must keep our children safe in the appropriate way. We must follow the laws of safety seats for our kids until they are 12 years old or 135cm tall. Child car seats are very effective in order to lower the risk of injuries in accidents as compared to children without a car seat.

Children without Child Car Seats | When can they travel?

If you are traveling with a child who is aged 3 or above and the vehicle doesn’t have any child car seat or seat belt. In this condition, the child can travel without a car seat in the back of the vehicle. However, children who are under 3 must be in the child car seat of the vehicle.

According to Law, there are some conditions when traveling with a baby:

During the ride, the child is in a taxi or minicab.
The child is in a van, minibus, or coach.
An emergency occurred and the child is on some unexpected journey.
When there is no extra space for another child’s car seat while traveling.

Traveling in a Taxi or Minicab

When you are traveling with your baby in a taxi or minicab and the vehicle cannot provide the proper car seat. In this scenario, the Child must travel in the rear seat (seat in the back of the vehicle). A child who is 3 or older must wear a seat belt.

Traveling in Minibuses, Coaches or Vans

There is no such law for minibusses, coaches or vans to provide child car seats. However, if you want one you must get your own car seat.

Traveling Unexpectedly

If you are traveling with a child aged 3 or above and the vehicle has no child car seat, the child can use an adult seat belt under the following circumstances.

If the journey is unexpected.
A journey is necessary.
Short-distance traveling.

Additionally, if your children are under 3 you cannot bring them on unexpected journeys without a proper car seat. Unless the taxi or cab you are traveling with is licensed and your child will travel without a seat belt in the back seat of a vehicle (rear seat).

If No Room for a Third Child Car Seat

Children who are under 3, must be seated in separate car seats. If there’s no space for a third car seat in the back of the vehicle, then children must travel with a proper car seat but in front of the vehicle.

Some Tips on How to Travel with a Baby

In this busy era, it is very stressful to travel with your infants. Taking your baby out of your comfort zone in a taxi makes parents think twice. Here are some tips on how to travel with your baby in a taxi:

You must know about the laws when you are traveling with a baby.
Consider your baby taxi safety options first. If the taxi is without a child car seat, bring your own booster seat and install it.
Bring easy car seats. Sometimes child car seat installation is as difficult and stressful as it sounds. Most child car seats are heavy and required extra space. Try to always get easy installation child car seats which are lightweight, can be easily secured with seatbelts, and don’t require a separate space.
Always communicate with your taxi driver and let them know that you are traveling with a baby. And you will be installing a car seat.
You must try to practice of installation of a car seat. This will make you more confident and will boost your energy.
When babies are in a new environment they always get frustrated and annoying. You must be prepared to entertain your baby and try to keep your baby happy and calm.
Make sure your baby is well rested and fed before the journey.