UNITED CARS · FAMILY TRAVEL
Baby & booster seats for longer journeys
Little passengers. Bigger journeys. Plan your long-distance taxi trip or airport transfer with a seat suited to your child.
Book ahead · Confirm suitability · Travel prepared
THE RIGHT FIT
A seat to suit your little traveller
Share your child’s age, height and weight with us. We’ll check the available options for your journey, vehicle and luggage.
Baby & child seats
Request a seat appropriate for your child’s size. A booster is not a substitute for an infant seat. Tell us about any specific needs before booking.
Booster seats
For children who meet the seat manufacturer’s size requirements. The right choice depends on the particular seat and your child’s height or weight, rather than age alone.
GOING THE EXTRA MILE
Make room for breaks, too.
Longer trips need a little more time. Discuss stops and your child’s needs with us before you travel, especially for an airport transfer.
Talk to our team →- Allow time for regular stops. Take babies out of their seats during breaks so they can move and stretch. Discuss planned stops when booking and allow extra time before flights.
- Keep an eye on your baby. If possible, have another adult sit alongside them. If your baby slumps forward, ask the driver to stop safely straight away and take your baby out of the seat.
- Think carefully about very young babies. The Lullaby Trust advises avoiding long-distance car travel with young or premature babies. Ask your midwife, neonatal team or health visitor about your baby’s needs before planning a long trip.
- At your destination: move a sleeping baby onto a firm, flat sleep surface. A car seat is for transport, not a replacement for a cot.
TRAVEL INFORMED
Safety & the law
An appropriate, correctly fitted child seat is the safest choice for your child.
The usual rule
Children normally need a child seat until their 12th birthday or until they reach 135cm tall, whichever happens first. After that, they must use a seat belt.
Use an approved seat suitable for the child and follow its fitting instructions. Height-based seats must remain rear-facing until the child is over 15 months old. Never place a rear-facing seat in front of an active passenger airbag.
Taxi and private hire exemption
If the correct child seat is not provided in a licensed taxi or private hire car, a child may travel only in the rear: children aged 3 or over must use an adult belt; under-3s may travel without a belt.
This exemption is not a safety recommendation. An appropriate, correctly fitted child seat is the safest choice. Arrange one in advance for your long-distance journey. Different rules apply to minibuses and coaches.
Sources: GOV.UK: child car seat rules and taxi and private hire exceptions. Guidance checked 23 October 2026.
BEFORE YOU SET OFF
Your child-seat questions, answered
What information should I give you?
Your pickup and destination, travel date and time, each child’s age, height and weight, the number of seats needed, passenger numbers, luggage and pushchair requirements. Mention any return journey and planned stops too.
Are baby seats included in the fare?
Charges may apply for baby seats. Please ask for the seat charge and total journey price when booking, including any return trip or planned waiting time.
Can I bring my own child seat?
Please tell us before booking if you wish to bring your own seat, so we can check vehicle compatibility, space and arrangements for fitting it. For a return journey, discuss where the seat will be kept.
Is a seat guaranteed when I request one?
A request needs confirmation from our team. Please obtain confirmation of a suitable seat before travel, particularly if you need several seats or have specific requirements.
BOOK AHEAD · TRAVEL PREPARED
Let’s plan your family journey.
Call your local United Cars team to request a baby or booster seat for your long-distance trip. We’ll discuss your requirements and confirm suitability, availability and any charges.
Please include passenger numbers, luggage, pushchairs, planned stops and any return journey when you book.
