Everything I can find with regards to Hawaii's car seat laws are under 4 must be in a car seat, and 4-7 must be in at least a booster seat. There is no weight or height requirements. We are traveling to Hawaii in April and my daughter will be 6 and 45 lbs. I was hoping to just bring along a no back booster. Does anyone know if this will be a problem?
We are planning on getting her a highback booster that converts to a no back booster, which will cost us about $70 after sales and coupons, which is exactly what the rental company will charge us for the car seat rental for the week. Since it's not a big deal to us to bring it and check it, I'd rather bring it, but if I can get away with just bringing the no back part, than I can put it in my suitcase. The last thing I wanted to do was get there and find out that the no back wasn't good enough. I like to plan every travel aspect of my trip before hand, so I can relax when I get there.
Go online and get the phone number for the Hawaii Department of Moror Vehicles. Call and ask questions. You may also be able to email them and get a response. Ask specific questions.
You may also be able to info from the hotel you will be staying, call or email them.
Wait until you get there and rent what you need. The car rental companies of Hawaii AAA (if you are a member in your state) will know.
ETA: most rental car companies provide car seats as a convenience. We've never had a problem. Have always got a newer, clean, bagged booster.
Just rent a car seat with your car rental. They should be able to advise you.
If you are renting a car you can rent a booster/car seat. They will have what's required by law. We used to travel with a no back booster seat and it was never a problem, but my kid was always a little bigger then most.
As long as you're using the booster per the manufacturer's instructions in height/weight, then you're good to go. If you're only bringing the base don't forget to bring the shoulder belt adjustment strap. This strap isn't used when using the high back, but is often necessary without it to keep the shoulder belt properly situated.
We always just took our car seat with us and checked it with the luggage, I never even checked different state laws.
And know that car rental companies do NOT rent car seats, for liability reasons.
Have fun in Hawaii I am so jealous!!! What island are you going to?
We took a no back booster when our granddaughter was 5, 6 and again when she was 7 and it worked fine.
Most states don't specify height/weight requirements for carseats. Those are mandated by the actual carseat manufacturers and recommendations are made to parents by the AAP and the NHTSA. Arizona, like many states, lamely only state that a child "must be properly restrained". No mention of age, seat type, anything.
If your child meets the height and weight minimums for your backless booster and you're comfortable with her riding in that, then use it. The lack of specificity in the laws leaves that open to your choice.
Sounds to me like the law is 7 and under in a booster, so bring one. We keep a Bubble Bum booster for travel. No back and DD doesn't prefer it, but great for taxis and such. You could also call the car rental place to ask what they would rent you and get something comparable.
Most airlines will allow you 1 stroller or 1 car seat flown free per kid. You will likely have to check it at baggage claim and you should buy a cover for it.
ETA: We chose to take our own car seat to the UK and Puerto Rico because we wanted to be assured that the seat provided was truly not mishandled, not in an unreported accident, not expired, the right one for her age and size, etc. We know how people treat cars. I bet people treat car seats the same way. Bringing it with us was reassurance that DD would be safe.
Sounds just like the Virginia law .... Use whatever you use at home.
Look on the car seat for weight and height. Just use the one you use at home.
Why not just do one there? Why bring one along?
On the other hand why not call where you're going to be renting a car and get that out of the way. This way you can make sure you're going to have exactly what is needed.
By asking them about car seat rental you are getting the correct information. They don't want you to be ticketed while using their vehicle and car seat for either one NOT being up to date and correct.
So my point is this. Call and plan your vehicle rental ahead of time, like...now? Ask them about renting a car seat. What car seat do they say your child must use? If they say "Your child is old enough to do just a backless booster and we rent those for $XX.00 for the entire week you'll be here". Then you know which car seat is required. No questions. They should be the experts if they're renting them.
Then you have the option to say "Well, I think we are bringing her car seat with us for when we're in taxi's and stuff so I don't think we'll need that for sure. Can I arrange that the day we arrive if we decide to do that?" then you can see if you want to bring hers or just rent one.
When we've traveled we've learned that car rental places can run out of vehicles during busy times so calling ahead and making rental arrangements isn't a bad idea. They should know what you need.
One poster said car rental companies do not rent car seats. But we gotten them several times from the car rental place when we travel. I think you should just bring your booster seat and that will be fine though.
