The short answer: book a private airport transfer that fits the right car seat before pickup, and give the provider each child's age and weight. In Ontario, babies up to 9 kg ride in a rear-facing seat, toddlers from 9 to 18 kg in a forward-facing seat with a harness, and children under 8 who weigh 18 to 36 kg and are under 145 cm tall in a booster seat. Taxis carrying paying passengers are exempt from the legal requirement, but the safety reasons for a seat are the same in any vehicle.
Which car seat does my child need?
Ontario's Ministry of Transportation sets out the stages below. They are based mainly on weight and height, so have your child's current figures ready when you book.
| Seat | Who it is for | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Rear-facing infant seat | Babies up to 9 kg (20 lb) | Never in front of an active airbag |
| Forward-facing seat with harness | Toddlers from 9 to 18 kg (20 to 40 lb) | Rear-facing can continue if the seat maker allows |
| Booster seat | Under 8 years, 18 to 36 kg (40 to 80 lb), under 145 cm | Used with the vehicle's lap and shoulder belt |
| Seat belt only | From age 8, or 36 kg, or 145 cm tall | All children under 16 must wear a seat belt |
Do taxis and hired cars need car seats in Ontario?
Ontario's rules require drivers to secure children under 8 in the correct car seat or booster seat. The province lists some exemptions, including a taxicab carrying a passenger for hire (unless the taxi is carrying children for personal reasons or under a school contract) and a bus or public vehicle carrying a passenger for hire.
So a taxi from Toronto Pearson may legally carry a baby on a parent's lap. That does not make it safe. A collision at city speeds creates forces no adult can hold a child against, which is why parents who use seats at home usually want one on the way from the airport too. Rules also differ by country, so check the local requirements before you travel abroad.
Your options from the airport
- Bring your own seat. Familiar and fitted to your child, but bulky to carry through the airport, and you need to install it in an unfamiliar vehicle after a long flight.
- Rent a car with seats. Works if you plan to drive during the trip, but you take on the driving after landing.
- Book a transfer with seats fitted. The provider installs the right seats before pickup, so you walk to a vehicle that is ready to go.
What to tell the transfer company when you book
- Each child's age, weight and height.
- The seat type you need for each child, or ask the provider to recommend one from those figures.
- Your flight number, so the pickup follows your actual arrival time.
- How many suitcases, strollers and travel cots you have.
- Whether you are bringing your own seat for any child.
Choosing a vehicle with room for a family
Car seats take space, and families travel with more luggage than most passengers. As a guide, an SUV seats 4 to 6 passengers depending on its class, and a Sprinter van seats up to 14 with room for strollers and large cases. See the fleet page for every vehicle class.
On the day: arriving with children
When a chauffeur tracks your flight, you do not need to rush through immigration or baggage reclaim with tired children. At Toronto Pearson, read our Pearson arrival guide for what happens after you land, from passport control to the arrivals hall.
Family airport transfers with Black Drive
Black Drive fits infant, toddler and booster seats before pickup when you add them to your booking with your children's ages and weights. Availability is confirmed with your booking. Your chauffeur meets you inside arrivals with a name sign and helps with luggage, strollers and car seats. Prices are fixed per vehicle in US dollars, and you can cancel free of charge up to 24 hours before pickup. See child seats and family travel for details, or book a Toronto Pearson transfer.