Travelling with a young child raises a question most booking apps do not answer upfront: what happens about the car seat? Silver Taxi operates across SE Melbourne with infant seats, toddler seats and booster seats available on request. There is no extra charge for the seat. You need to let us know when you book so the right seat is fitted and ready before pickup.
Victorian Law on Child Restraints in Taxis
Under Victorian road rules, children under seven must travel in an approved child restraint. The same requirements that apply to private vehicles generally apply to taxis, with one specific exemption: if no suitable restraint is available in the vehicle at the time of the trip, a child may travel without one. This exemption covers situations where a passenger books a standard taxi without mentioning they have a young child.
Silver Taxi does not operate under that exemption. We stock approved child restraints and fit them before your pickup when you request a seat at the time of booking. If you are travelling with a child under seven and want the safer option, request a seat when you call.
Types of Child Seats We Carry
Infant seats suit babies from birth to approximately 9kg and are positioned to face the rear of the vehicle. These must not be placed in front of an active airbag. They are designed for newborns through to around 12 months depending on the child’s growth.
Toddler seats suit children from around 12 months to 18kg and are positioned to face the front of the vehicle. They connect to the car’s anchor points and seatbelt system. These suit children from approximately 12 months to 4 years.
Booster seats are designed for children aged 4 to 7 years. They raise the child so the standard seatbelt sits correctly across the chest and hips.
When you call to book, tell us your child’s age and approximate weight. We will fit the correct seat before pickup.
Airport Trips with a Baby or Young Child
Trips from SE Melbourne to Melbourne Airport cover between 50 and 80 kilometres depending on your starting suburb. Silver Taxi covers airport runs from suburbs along the Frankston Line including Frankston, Seaford, Carrum and Bonbeach, and from the Dandenong and Cranbourne corridor including Dandenong, Springvale and Cranbourne.
For airport trips, book at least 24 hours in advance. This gives time to confirm the correct seat is allocated to your vehicle before the driver arrives. Our drivers assist with loading luggage, pram frames and bags.
Return pickups from Melbourne Airport include a $4.50 airport surcharge. The baby seat carries no additional charge.
Tips for Taxi Travel with an Infant in SE Melbourne
If you are bringing your own seat: Some parents prefer to travel with an approved restraint they already know fits their child. Let us know at booking so we do not fit an additional seat. The driver will help you install yours correctly.
Book off peak when possible: Traffic between SE Melbourne and the CBD or airport is heaviest on weekday mornings from 7am to 9am and weekday afternoons from 4pm to 6:30pm. Outside those windows the trip is shorter and calmer for a young child.
Keep essentials in the cabin: For longer trips and airport runs, have nappies, formula, a change of clothes and comfort items within reach in the cabin rather than packed in the boot.
Confirm your terminal: Melbourne domestic departures use Terminal 2 or Terminal 4 depending on the airline. International flights depart from Terminal 2. Providing the correct terminal at booking saves time on arrival.
If you have had trouble booking a baby seat taxi through 13cabs or general booking platforms, Silver Taxi is a direct alternative for SE Melbourne families. Our dispatch team confirms seat availability at the time of booking rather than leaving it to chance.
What If the Seat Cannot Be Fitted?
On rare occasions a particular seat model may not secure correctly in a specific vehicle. If this happens, the driver will let you know before the trip starts. We carry more than one seat type and will fit the nearest suitable alternative. If no seat can be safely secured, you will not be charged for the trip and we will help you arrange an alternative.
How to Book a Taxi with a Baby Seat
Call 0412 456 588 to book. Let the operator know:
– Your child’s age and weight
– Whether you need a seat from us or are bringing your own
– Your pickup suburb and address
– Your destination, including terminal number if flying
– Your preferred pickup time
We cover SE Melbourne including Frankston, Carrum Downs, Cranbourne, Dandenong, Springvale, Clarinda and surrounding suburbs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can Melbourne taxis legally carry children without a car seat?
Victorian road rules require children under seven to travel in an approved child restraint. There is a specific exemption for taxis: if no appropriate restraint is available in the vehicle at the time of the trip, the child may legally travel without one. This exemption exists because passengers do not always notify the operator that they are travelling with a young child.
The exemption addresses legal liability rather than safety. A child secured in an approved restraint is significantly better protected in a collision than a child travelling unrestrained or held by an adult.
Silver Taxi does not rely on this exemption. We stock infant seats, toddler seats and booster seats and fit the appropriate seat before pickup when you request one at booking. If you are travelling with a child under seven, the safest approach is to book a taxi that provides an appropriate restraint, or bring your own approved seat. Call 0412 456 588 to confirm availability before your trip.
Does Silver Taxi Melbourne provide a baby or child car seat?
Yes. Silver Taxi carries seats suitable for three age groups. Infant seats suit babies from birth to approximately 9kg and are positioned to face the rear of the vehicle. Toddler seats suit children from around 12 months to 18kg and face forward, connecting to the vehicle’s anchor points. Booster seats suit children aged 4 to 7 years and position the standard seatbelt correctly across the child’s body. All seats meet Australian Standard AS/NZS 1754 requirements.
There is no extra charge for the seat. Fares are calculated at $9.90 flag fall plus $2.20 per kilometre, with a minimum fare of $39.90. To request a seat, call 0412 456 588 at the time of booking. Tell us your child’s age and approximate weight so we fit the correct seat before pickup. If you prefer to use your own approved restraint, let us know and the driver will help you install it correctly.
How do I book a taxi with a baby seat in Melbourne for an airport run?
Call 0412 456 588 and ask for a baby seat taxi to Melbourne Airport. Give the operator your child’s age and weight, your pickup address and suburb, your preferred departure time, and the terminal number if you know it. For airport trips, book at least 24 hours in advance so the correct seat is allocated to your vehicle before pickup.
Silver Taxi covers SE Melbourne airport transfers from suburbs including Frankston, Seaford, Carrum, Bonbeach, Dandenong, Springvale and Cranbourne. Fares are calculated using the standard meter from your pickup address: $9.90 flag fall plus $2.20 per kilometre. A $4.50 airport surcharge applies to return pickups from Melbourne Airport. There is no extra charge for the child seat.
For domestic flights, confirm your terminal before booking. Virgin Australia and Jetstar use Terminal 4. Qantas uses Terminal 1. International departures use Terminal 2. Luggage and prams are loaded by the driver at no additional cost.
