Child Car Seats


     Laws regarding child safety seats differ in various countries and states. Check the laws of the state you will be traveling in regarding your children's age, height, and weight. Car seats are available for rent from the rental car company, and generally you can expect to pay between $5 and $10 U.S. dollars per day. It's cheaper to bring your own car seat, but it may be easier to rent one. If your child requires a car seat, be sure your rental car is equipped to safely anchor your car seat. Also keep that in mind if you end up driving an upgraded car or any different car than you originally reserved.

     Ask an employee about the type of car seat you are renting. In order to be safe, the car seat should be appropriate for your child's age and weight. Some car seats face forward and some face backward, so be sure you have the type that would be most safe for your child. The car seats that face the rear are for infants only, from birth to 20 or 22 pounds (9 or 10 kilograms). These type of seats should never be placed in the front passenger seat where an airbag could possibly risk the safety of your child. Also, find out if your rental car is equipped with side airbags. It is recommended that children are not placed next to side airbags unless otherwise stated by the car's manufacturer. Forward facing car seats are more appropriate for 20 to 40 pound (9 to 18 kilograms) children who are at least one year old. Booster seats that are usually appropriate for 3-6 year olds are generally not available to rent, so bring your own.

     Sometimes the availability of car seats is limited at certain car rental companies. So if your child requires one, be sure to reserve it in advance.