Family Travel Guide
Everything parents need to know about traveling with infants, toddlers, and children in professional car services—NY State law, installation standards, and stress-free family travel.
Traveling with children—whether it’s an airport transfer to JFK, a family wedding in the Hamptons, or a corporate relocation to Greenwich—shouldn’t mean compromising safety. If you’ve ever wondered “Do NYC black cars have car seats?” or “Can I bring my own car seat?” before a pickup, this guide has you covered. We explain New York State car seat laws, the four main seat types, professional installation standards, and how to book family-friendly car service with complete confidence.
New York State has strict child passenger safety laws. Here’s what parents must know.
Must ride in rear-facing car seats (effective November 1, 2019). Rear-facing protects the developing neck and spine. No exceptions—rear-facing until 2nd birthday. Violation fine: $25–$100.
Must ride in approved child safety seats (rear-facing or forward-facing with harness). Seats must meet Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 213. Forward-facing allowed after age 2 if the child meets the seat manufacturer’s rear-facing limits—but experts recommend rear-facing as long as possible.
Must use an age-appropriate child restraint system—safety seat, harness, or booster seat with the vehicle seat belt. Cannot use the seat belt alone, even if the child seems “big enough.” Booster transition typically ages 4–8 depending on height/weight.
May use the vehicle seat belt alone. Experts recommend continuing with a booster until the seat belt fits properly—lap belt across upper thighs, shoulder belt across chest, not neck. Back seat recommended until age 13.
While NY law specifies ages, seat manufacturer height/weight limits always take precedence. Children develop at different rates—a tall 2-year-old may outgrow an infant seat before their birthday, while a petite 7-year-old may still need a booster if under 4’9″.
| Age | Typical Height | Typical Weight | Required Seat | Best Practice |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Under 2 | Up to 36″ | 4–30 lbs | Rear-facing | Rear-face as long as possible |
| 2–3 years | 36–40″ | 30–40 lbs | Rear or forward w/ harness | Rear-facing preferred |
| 4–7 years | 40–52″ | 40–65 lbs | Forward harness or booster | Harness as long as possible |
| 8–12 years | 4’9″+ | 80+ lbs | Seat belt or booster | Booster until belt fits right |
| 13+ years | 5’+ | 100+ lbs | Seat belt | Back seat preferred |
Airbag Safety: Never place a child car seat in the front passenger seat with an active airbag. Airbags deploy at 200+ mph force and are designed for adult-sized passengers. All professional car services install child seats in the rear seat only. NY DMV and NHTSA recommend all children under 13 ride in the back seat.
Four main types of car seats cover children from birth through age 12.
Ages 0–12 months • 4–35 lbs • Up to 32–35″
Bucket-style seat with a carrying handle that detaches from a base (base stays buckled in vehicle, seat clicks in and out). Rear-facing position only. Ideal for newborns—you can carry a sleeping baby without disturbing them.
Birth–6 years • 4–65 lbs • Dual mode
Starts rear-facing and converts to forward-facing with a harness after age 2+. Most versatile seat type—covers newborns through preschoolers. Cannot be removed from the vehicle like an infant seat. This is the most common seat type used by professional car services.
Birth–12 years • 4–100+ lbs • Three modes
Covers all stages: rear-facing infant/toddler, forward-facing with 5-point harness, and high-back or backless booster. The only seat a child will ever need. Bulkier and heavier than other types, but comprehensive.
Ages 4–12 • 40–100+ lbs • Belt-positioning
Elevates the child so the vehicle seat belt fits properly—lap belt across upper thighs, shoulder belt across chest (not neck). High-back boosters provide head/side support; backless boosters are lightweight and portable. Child must be mature enough to sit correctly the entire trip.
| Seat Type | Age Range | Weight | Position | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Infant | 0–12 mo | 4–35 lbs | Rear-facing | Newborns, portability |
| Convertible | 0–6 yr | 4–65 lbs | Rear → Forward | Extended rear-facing, value |
| All-in-One | 0–12 yr | 4–100+ lbs | Rear → Fwd → Booster | One-seat solution |
| High-Back Booster | 4–12 yr | 40–100+ lbs | Forward (belt) | Transition to seat belt |
| Backless Booster | 6–12 yr | 40–100+ lbs | Forward (belt) | Older kids, travel |
Our chauffeurs follow NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) installation standards for every car seat.
Seat must not move more than 1 inch side-to-side or front-to-back at the belt path. If it moves more, the installation is too loose.
Convertible seats have separate belt paths for rear-facing vs forward-facing. Using the wrong path means the seat won’t function in a crash.
Rear-facing infants: 45° recline. Older babies: 30–45°. Forward-facing: upright. Most seats have built-in angle indicators.
Rear-facing: straps at or below shoulders. Forward-facing: straps at or above shoulders. Straps must lie flat, not twisted.
After buckling the child, pinch the harness at the shoulder. If you can pinch excess fabric, it’s too loose.
The chest clip must be at armpit level—not on the belly and not near the neck.
Always use the top tether on forward-facing seats. It reduces forward head movement by 30–40% in a crash. Forgetting the tether is one of the most common mistakes.
Two methods exist for securing a car seat. Both are equally safe when done correctly. Our chauffeurs assess the vehicle, seat, and child weight, then use whichever method achieves the tightest installation.
Metal anchor bars in vehicle seats. Car seat clips directly to anchors—no seat belt needed. Simpler for most installations.
Weight limit: child + seat ≤ 65 lbs combined
Vehicle seat belt threads through the car seat belt path. Must lock the belt (pull all the way out, then retract until it clicks).
No weight limit • Works in all positions
You provide children’s ages, weights, and heights when booking. We assign appropriate seat types and notify the chauffeur 24 hours before pickup.
Chauffeur arrives 30–60 minutes early to install seats. Inspects each seat (expiration date, no damage, harness intact), installs using LATCH or seat belt, performs the 1-inch test, adjusts recline angle, and attaches top tether for forward-facing seats.
At pickup, chauffeur assists buckling the child, adjusts harness to the child’s shoulder height, performs the pinch test, positions the chest clip at armpit level. Parents are encouraged to inspect the installation.
Chauffeur drives defensively with heightened awareness—smooth acceleration/braking, avoids potholes and rough roads when possible.
Chauffeur assists unbuckling the child and helps the family transition safely from the vehicle.
NHTSA reports 65% of car seats are installed incorrectly. Here are the biggest mistakes and how professional services prevent them.
How child car seats work in common family travel situations.
Parents + 9-month-old + 3-year-old flying into JFK for a Manhattan vacation
Cadillac Escalade SUV. Infant seat (rear-facing, 4–35 lbs) + convertible seat (forward-facing, 22–40 lbs), both in 2nd row captain’s chairs.
Meet-and-greet at JFK baggage claim. Chauffeur loads 4 bags + stroller. Direct to Manhattan hotel.
Booking info: “2 children: 9-month-old girl (18 lbs, 28″) and 3-year-old boy (32 lbs, 38″). JFK T4 arrival, Delta, 6am. 4 checked bags, travel stroller.”
Executive relocating from LA to Greenwich, CT. Wife + 3 kids arriving at Newark.
Mercedes Sprinter Van. Convertible rear-facing (2-yr-old), convertible forward-facing (5-yr-old), high-back booster (7-yr-old). All in middle row.
Grandparents attending a Hamptons wedding, bringing grandchildren (ages 4 and 6).
SUV. Convertible forward-facing harness (4-yr-old, safer than booster at this age) + high-back booster (6-yr-old). Chauffeur handles 100% of installation.
Manhattan hotel 11am to Southampton wedding 1pm. Evening return 9pm. Zero car seat stress for grandparents in formal attire.
Which transportation option is safest for your kids?
| Feature | Car Service | Uber/Lyft | Taxi |
|---|---|---|---|
| Seats Provided | All ages (infant, convertible, booster) | 1 forward-facing only (ages 1–4) | None |
| Multiple Seats | Yes (2–3 children) | No (1 seat max) | No |
| Professional Install | NHTSA-trained chauffeurs | Pre-installed, no training | Parent installs |
| Seat Inspection | Expiration, damage, harness | No | No |
| Advance Booking | Days/weeks ahead | On-demand only | No |
| Flight Tracking | Yes | No | No |
| Luggage + Stroller | SUV/Sprinter cargo | Limited trunk | Limited trunk |
| Pricing | Flat rate, no surge | Surge pricing | Metered |
What information to provide and how far in advance to book.
Age
Years + months (e.g., “2 years 3 months”)
Weight
Pounds (e.g., “28 lbs”)
Height
Inches (e.g., “34 inches”)
Best for airport transfers, short-term visitors, families without car seats.
Best for extended trips, special-needs seats, parents who prefer their own equipment.
| Trip Type | Advance Notice | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Airport (1 child) | 24–48 hours | Seat assignment + chauffeur notification |
| Airport (2–3 children) | 3–5 days | Multiple seats + SUV/Sprinter needed |
| Holidays | 1–2 weeks | Peak demand, fleet seats booked fast |
| Weddings/events | 1 week | Multi-stop coordination |
| Corporate relocation | 2 weeks | Dedicated vehicle + multi-day setup |
Save this checklist to your phone or print it before booking.
Age-appropriate car seats, professional installation, spacious vehicles. Book your family car service today.
Learn more about our family car service or read our child seat policy.
True North VIP is a New York City-based premium chauffeur and black car service. The company provides airport transfers to JFK, LaGuardia, Newark, Teterboro, and Westchester County airports, along with hourly charters, corporate ground transportation, wedding and event service, and city-to-city travel. Service covers all five NYC boroughs, Northern New Jersey, Connecticut, Westchester County, Long Island, and the Hamptons, with TLC-licensed professional chauffeurs and a fleet of executive sedans, luxury sedans, SUVs, and Sprinter vans available 24/7.
To book a ride, visit truenorthvip.com/book or call +1‑347‑321‑9929.
