You can request a ride with one car seat through Lyft's dedicated Lyft Car Seat option, but availability is limited to specific cities and vehicle types. Standard Lyft rides (like Lyft and Shared) do not provide car seats. If you need more than one car seat, your only reliable option is to use your own federally approved car seats and install them yourself upon the driver's arrival.
The Lyft Car Seat service typically offers a forward-facing seat suitable for children who meet specific age, weight, and height requirements (generally from about 12 months to 8 years old, weighing 22-48 lbs). It's not designed for infants requiring rear-facing seats. You must select this option before requesting your ride within the Lyft app. Because availability is not guaranteed, planning ahead is crucial.
For families with multiple young children, here’s a breakdown of your options:
| Scenario | Number of Car Seats Needed | Recommended Action on Lyft |
|---|
| One Child | 1 | Request 'Lyft Car Seat' if available in your city; otherwise, bring your own. |
| Two or More Children | 2+ | Bring and install your own car seats. The driver must have enough seat belts for each seat. |
| Infant (Rear-Facing) | 1 | Bring your own infant seat. Lyft Car Seat is typically forward-facing only. |
The most important factor is communicating with your driver. After booking, contact them immediately to confirm you will be installing your own car seats and that they have adequate space. Drivers can cancel the ride if they are not comfortable with the installation or if it causes a significant delay. Always prioritize using the correct, properly installed car seat for your child's safety, as it is a legal requirement in all 50 states.
