Traveling with young children to or from the airport raises an immediate question: do you need a child seat? The answer depends entirely on whether you book a licensed taxi or a rideshare like Uber. Victorian law treats them very differently.
The key difference
Licensed taxis in Victoria are exempt from standard child restraint requirements. Rideshare vehicles (Uber, DiDi, Ola) are not exempt and must follow the same child seat laws as private cars.
This means parents booking a licensed taxi do not need to carry a bulky car seat through the airport terminal. Parents booking an Uber must have the correct restraint for their child or risk a fine.
Rules by age group
| Age | Private car / Uber / rideshare | Licensed taxi |
|---|---|---|
| Under 6 months | Rear-facing restraint required. Must be in rear seat. | No restraint required. Child must travel in rear seat. |
| 6 months to under 4 years | Rear-facing or forward-facing restraint with inbuilt harness. Must be in rear seat. | Seatbelt only if no child restraint is available. |
| 4 to under 7 years | Forward-facing restraint with harness or booster seat with seatbelt. | Seatbelt only if no child restraint is available. |
| 7 years and over | Booster seat or correctly adjusted adult seatbelt. | Adult seatbelt. |
Source: Kidsafe Victoria and Transport Victoria.
Why are taxis exempt?
Licensed taxis are classified as commercial passenger vehicles under Victorian law. The Road Safety Road Rules 2017 (Part 16) provide an exemption for these vehicles because taxis carry many different passengers throughout the day and cannot practically stock restraints for every age group.
This exemption applies only to vehicles operating under a commercial passenger vehicle licence. It does not extend to rideshare, hire cars, or any other booking platform that is not a licensed taxi service.
Rideshare is not exempt
Uber, DiDi, Ola, and other rideshare services must comply with the same child restraint laws as your own private car. If a rideshare driver does not have the correct restraint for your child, the trip cannot legally proceed.
In practice this means:
- You must bring your own child seat and install it in the rideshare vehicle before departure.
- The driver can refuse the trip if no appropriate restraint is available.
- Fines apply to the driver and potentially the parent if a child travels without the correct restraint.
For families arriving on a flight with luggage, trolleys, and tired children, installing a car seat on the kerb at the airport pickup area is a significant hassle.
Our recommendation
While licensed taxis are legally exempt, Kidsafe Victoria still recommends using an appropriate child restraint whenever possible. Safety is always the priority.
That said, the legal exemption exists for good reason. If you are landing at Melbourne Airport or Avalon Airport with small children and do not want to carry a car seat through the terminal, booking a licensed taxi is the simplest and fully legal option.
All of our vehicles are licensed commercial passenger vehicles operating under Victorian taxi regulations. The exemption applies to every booking made through our service.
Maxi cabs for families
Our maxi cab service seats up to 11 passengers with luggage space. The same taxi child restraint exemption applies to maxi cabs. This makes them ideal for families with multiple young children who would otherwise need to carry two or three car seats through the airport.
If you want to bring your own child seat, our vehicles have anchor fittings available. Taxis in Victoria are required to have at least one anchorage point ready for passengers who supply their own restraint.
FAQ
Do I need a child seat in a taxi in Victoria?
No. Licensed taxis are exempt from child restraint requirements under Victorian road rules. Children under 1 must travel in the rear seat. Children 1 and over must wear a seatbelt. You may bring your own child seat if you prefer.
Do I need a child seat in an Uber in Victoria?
Yes. Rideshare vehicles like Uber must comply with the same child restraint laws as private cars. You need the correct restraint for your child's age group or the trip cannot legally proceed.
Can I bring my own car seat in a taxi?
Yes. Taxis in Victoria must have at least one anchor fitting available for passengers who bring their own child restraint. Let us know when booking and the driver will help you install it.
What is the safest option for children in a taxi?
Kidsafe Victoria recommends using an appropriate child restraint whenever possible, even when the law does not require it. If you can bring your own seat, that is the safest option. If not, a licensed taxi is the only legal alternative that does not require one.
Do maxi cabs have child seats?
Maxi cabs do not carry child seats as standard. However, the same taxi exemption applies, so children can travel legally with a seatbelt. You are welcome to bring your own restraint and the vehicle will have anchor fittings available.
Book a family-friendly airport transfer
Skip the hassle of dragging car seats through the terminal. Book a licensed fixed-price taxi and travel legally without a child restraint.