Travelling with children in a private hire car

Planning a transfer is easiest when you think about the complete journey rather than only the vehicle. The pickup point, destination, timing, passengers, luggage and any airport or rail connection all matter. This guide covers the practical decisions customers should make before booking.

What UK law says about car seats in taxis

UK law requires children to use an appropriate child car seat until they’re 12 years old or 135cm tall. Licensed taxis and private hire vehicles have a specific exemption, however: if a suitable car seat isn’t available in the vehicle, a child aged 3 or over may travel using the adult seatbelt in the rear seat, and a child under 3 may travel unrestrained in the rear.

Operators aren’t legally required to provide child car seats, and most don’t supply them by default — if you need one, bring your own or check with the booking team in advance whether one can be arranged.

Start with the exact pickup and destination

Use the clearest address or named transport point available. Airports and stations can have several terminals, entrances and meeting areas, while hotels and venues can share similar names. Accurate location details help everyone understand where the journey starts and ends.

Allow time for the journey

For airport departures, work backwards from the time you need to be at the terminal. For arrivals, allow time to leave the aircraft, collect baggage and reach the pickup point. For rail connections, consider the time needed to leave the platform and reach the vehicle.

Think about passengers and luggage

A vehicle needs to accommodate both people and their belongings. Suitcases, pushchairs, sports equipment and other bulky items can affect the appropriate choice. Check the vehicle information in the booking process before confirming.

Use the location pages

The website includes dedicated pages for airports, cities, towns and train stations. These pages are linked together so you can move from an airport to a city, from a station to a town, or from a destination to a relevant airport page.

What to have ready

• Pickup and destination
• Travel date and time
• Passenger count
• Luggage requirements
• Flight or train information where relevant
• Special instructions that may affect the journey

Need a quote?

Use the online booking form for your exact journey, or contact the team if you need to discuss a specific requirement.