Traveling with kids in Melbourne, Victoria
The biggest question in everyone’s mind while traveling in Victoria is about the laws relating to the use of baby seats in taxis, Rideshare, and chauffeur-driven vehicles (VHA Town Cars).
Do you need a baby seat in hire cars or they are exempt from this law like the taxis? Here we discuss what is right and what your obligations are as a passenger while traveling with children in chauffeured cars in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
It’s always challenging to travel with young children in cars and when travelling in a hire car you are always concerned about the safety of your children while on board. A professional service will always supply baby seats but is it a legal requirement?
Chauffeur Car and Baby seat requirement in Melbourne
All chauffeur-driven vehicles in Melbourne must have an appropriate child seat installed while transporting children up to the age of 7 years. A driver must keep the safety of the children first and it is his responsibility to make sure children are wearing child restraints correctly.
The age and size of children determine the appropriate baby seat that they are supposed to be placed in while on board a chauffeur-driven vehicle.
- Newborn to 6 months of age – Children must travel in a rear-facing baby seat or capsule.
- 6 months to under 4 years of age – Children must travel in either a rear-facing baby seat or a forward-facing baby seat depending upon the size of the children.
- 4 years to under 7 years of age – Children must travel in either a forward-facing baby seat or a booster seat depending upon the size of the children.
Traveling in a Taxi with baby
Taxis in Victoria are exempted from this law and can carry out transfers with children without baby seats. Children must always sit in the back under an adult’s supervision.
Children under the age of 1 must be in an adult’s lap and those over the age of 1 can sit in their seat in the back seats. Passengers are welcome to bring their baby seats and drivers must accommodate them.
Traveling with Kid in a Rideshare
All other commercial passenger vehicles must carry baby seats which must be used to transport children under the age of 7 years of age. This includes VHA cars, limousines, private car services, and rideshare services like Uber, Ola, DiDi, etc.
Rideshare vehicles are not considered taxis and are just like any other car. The driver of rideshare services must not carry out transfers without an appropriate baby seat. When traveling in taxis, passengers can bring their baby seats.
