Washington
Book your Family Taxi with Car seat in Washington
Washington DC's free Smithsonian museums, the National Zoo, and its monuments make it a genuinely rewarding family capital to explore — but landing at Dulles (IAD) or Reagan National (DCA) with young kids means the ride into the city needs sorting before you land.
What DC law actually says about child car seats
Under DC's Child Restraint Law, children up to 16 years of age should be secured in an age-appropriate car seat, booster seat, or adult seat belt, with children under 8 specifically requiring a car seat or booster installed per manufacturer instructions. Washington DC taxis are explicitly exempted from this child restraint requirement, according to DC's own guidance.
Source: District of Columbia Department of Motor Vehicles, the official DC government transport authority.
Do regular DC taxis carry child seats?
Rarely — the exemption means most drivers simply don't stock one, so it's advisable to carry your own if not booking ahead. Taxi Bambino matches a seat to your child's age and weight and has it fitted before the driver leaves to collect you.
Getting from IAD or DCA to the city
Dulles Airport sits about 42 km west of downtown, typically a 40–50 minute drive via the Dulles Access Road and I-66. Reagan National is much closer, just across the Potomac, typically a 15–20 minute drive.
Uber and Lyft in DC, and what a standard taxi actually costs you
Both apps operate extensively in DC. Neither lets you request a car seat when booking — a driver can arrive, see you're travelling with a small child, and cancel on the spot, leaving your family stranded at arrivals with no backup.
On price: given Dulles's distance, expect a longer and pricier transfer than from Reagan National. A driver who agrees a price and then adds a "surcharge" once they see how much luggage you're carrying, after everything's already loaded in, is a recurring complaint from visitors at busy US airports generally. A pre-booked, flat-rate vehicle is the only mechanism that locks in price certainty before you land.
Which car seats are available
Three types cover almost every family, all certified to FMVSS 213. A rear-facing infant carrier suits babies up to around 20 lbs. A forward-facing seat with an integral harness covers children roughly 20–40 lbs. A high-back booster raises older children so the adult belt sits correctly. Where the vehicle has LATCH anchor points, Taxi Bambino's drivers use them rather than a belt-only install — a firmer, more consistent fit on I-66's higher-speed stretches than a lap-belt install alone.
Traveling with more than one child matters too: DC's taxi fleet is mostly standard sedans, and fitting two or three bulky seats across one back row is often physically impossible. A family needing three seats may simply be turned away by a standard taxi. Say how many children and their ages when you book, and Taxi Bambino sends a vehicle sized to actually fit everyone.
Travelling as a larger family? See our vehicle fleet to know what to expect.
FAQ
Is a car seat legally required in a DC taxi?
No — DC's own Child Restraint Law explicitly exempts taxis. We always recommend a properly fitted seat regardless.
Which airport is closer to DC, Dulles or Reagan National?
Reagan National, just across the Potomac (15-20 min) versus Dulles's 40-50 minute drive.
Do Uber or Lyft guarantee a car seat in DC?
No — neither lets you request one when booking.
Last updated: August 1, 2026. Reviewed by the TaxiBambino Content Audit Team.