Traveling with car seats in Los Angeles: the law and the ride

California Vehicle Code section 27360 requires a child under 8 to ride in an appropriate child passenger restraint in a rear seat, and a child under 2 to ride rear-facing unless the child weighs 40 pounds or more or is 40 inches or taller. A child under 8 who is already 4 feet 9 inches or taller may use the vehicle's seat belt instead. The California Highway Patrol adds that children who are 8 or older, or 4 feet 9 inches, may use a booster seat but must at least wear a safety belt.

The CHP also notes that state law does not set a time to move from a five-point harness to a booster, and it advises keeping a child in each stage as long as possible. It recommends belt-positioning boosters until a child is at least 4 feet 9 inches tall and between 8 and 12 years old. If you are unsure about installation, the CHP suggests asking a child passenger safety technician at a local CHP Area Office.

• Under 2: rear-facing, unless 40 pounds or more or 40 inches or taller
• Under 8: car seat or booster seat, in a rear seat
• Under 8 and 4 feet 9 inches or taller: seat belt allowed
• 8 and older: booster or seat belt, and the belt must fit properly
• 16 and older: covered by the adult seat belt law

Assembly Bill 435, signed in October 2025, changes what counts as a child being properly restrained by a safety belt. Starting January 1, 2027, the belt alone is enough only when the child passes a 5-Step test, rather than when the lap belt simply crosses the hips and the shoulder belt crosses the chest. In practice, an older child who cannot pass all five steps should stay in a booster seat.

If your trip falls on or after New Year's Day 2027, run the test at home before you book, so you know whether to add a booster. Children change quickly at this age, so check again before each trip rather than relying on last year's answer.

• Sits all the way back against the vehicle seat
• Knees bend over the edge of the seat
• Shoulder belt crosses the center of the chest and shoulder, not the neck
• Lap belt sits as low as possible, touching the thighs
• Can stay seated like this for the whole trip

Section 27360 places the duty to secure a child on the parent, legal guardian or driver, but it does not apply to the driver when the child's parent or legal guardian is riding in the vehicle. For a family trip, that means the parent remains responsible for making sure each child is in the right seat and buckled correctly. Plan to check each harness and belt fit yourself before the car moves, just as you would in your own car.

Seat position matters too. Children under 8 ride in a rear seat except in narrow cases, such as a vehicle with no rear seat, and state law says a rear-facing seat must never be placed in front of an active passenger airbag. In a sedan or SUV, that puts every young child in the second or third row.

The live booking catalog offers two seat add-ons: a rear-facing child safety seat and a booster seat, with up to 3 of each type. Add them when you book so they are part of the total shown at checkout, and note each child's age, weight and height. For a forward-facing harness seat, contact reservations before booking to confirm the right option.

Each child in a seat takes a passenger position, so count children when you compare vehicle capacities. A Comfort Sedan or Executive Sedan carries up to 3 passengers, so a family of four needs a Luxury SUV, with up to 7 passengers and 6 bags, or an Escalade Elite, with up to 6 and 5. Our vehicle class guide works through more combinations.

Many families fly with their own car seat, especially for infants who are used to it. If you check it, allow time at baggage claim and count it as a bag when you choose the vehicle. If you bring your own, simply leave the seat add-on off the booking, and tell your chauffeur when you land that you will need a few minutes to install it at the car. Practice the installation at home, since a seat you can fit in two minutes makes a busy arrivals curb much easier.

Use this list a few days before the trip, while there is still time to adjust the booking. It covers the law, the add-ons and the vehicle in one pass. For the airport side of the trip, our LAX pickup options guide explains why many families add Meet & Greet.

• Weigh and measure each child, and note their ages
• Decide on rear-facing, forward-facing harness or booster for each child
• Run the 5-Step test for older children traveling on or after January 1, 2027
• Add seats at booking, up to 3 of each type, or call about a harness seat
• Count every child as a passenger and every bulky item as a bag
• Add Meet & Greet if you will be juggling children and luggage at the airport