The right restraint, fitted before we arrive
Victorian law requires every child under seven to travel in an approved child restraint, and that applies to a chauffeur service, a taxi and a rideshare. We supply and fit capsules, forward-facing seats and boosters on request at an additional charge, so a family landing at Melbourne Airport or heading to Station Pier is not carrying a seat through the terminal or hoping the rank has one.
Tell us each child’s age when you book. The restraint is fitted in the vehicle before pickup, the charge for it is itemised on your fixed quote, and the chauffeur checks the fit with you before setting off.
Which restraint your child needs
Victoria’s rules by age. Height and weight matter too, so tell us both if your child is near a boundary.
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Under 6 months
Rear-facing capsule or convertible seat in rear-facing mode. Fitted to the vehicle’s anchor point before pickup. Capsules take one rear seat position and reduce boot space slightly.
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6 months to 4 years
Rear-facing until at least six months, then a forward-facing seat with an inbuilt harness. Children in this group must ride in the back seat.
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4 to 7 years
Forward-facing seat with harness, or a booster seat used with the car’s lap-sash belt once the child has outgrown the harness. Still in the back seat unless every rear seat is taken by younger children.
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7 years and over
An adult seat belt, or a booster if the child is too short for the belt to sit correctly across the shoulder and hips. Boosters are the easiest restraint to add, so ask even at short notice.
How child seats work on a booking
At booking. For an airport transfer, hotel run or cruise transfer, add the number of children and their ages in the special instructions on the booking form, or in your quote request. We confirm which restraints will be fitted on the quote so there is no surprise at the kerb.
Vehicle choice. An Executive Sedan takes one capsule or seat plus two adults comfortably; two restraints push the party to the Audi Q7 or the Mercedes V-Class, which also swallows the pram and the cases. Tell us the pram and luggage and we recommend the class.
Your own seat. You are welcome to bring your own capsule or seat; the chauffeur fits it to the anchor point and checks it before departure. Airlines carry car seats as checked luggage, usually free, if you would rather use the one your child knows.
Notice. Capsules and forward-facing seats are fitted before pickup, so we need them on the booking rather than mentioned at the door. Same-day requests are met where a fitted vehicle is available.
How booking works
Bookings go through our online form in four steps. Nothing is charged until you have a fixed price in writing.
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1
Ride details
Pickup and drop-off address, date, time, passengers and luggage.
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2
Vehicle
Tick the classes you would consider, from Executive Sedan to Minibus.
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3
Your details
Name, email and mobile. Put your flight number in the special instructions so we can track the arrival.
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4
Quote and confirmation
We email a fixed fare, usually within a few hours. Reply to confirm and your chauffeur is booked.
Prefer email? Send the same details to book@chauffeurservicemelbourne.au.
Child seat questions
Can I get a chauffeur with a baby seat at Melbourne Airport?
Yes. Give us the flight, the children’s ages and the drop-off suburb. The seat is fitted before the chauffeur enters the terminal to meet you, so you walk out of arrivals and straight into a car that is ready.
Can kids ride in an Uber or taxi without a car seat in Victoria?
Taxis are exempt from the restraint rules for children over one, though under-ones must be restrained and the rank rarely has a seat available. Rideshare vehicles are not exempt: children under seven need an approved restraint. A pre-booked chauffeur with the seat fitted removes the gamble.
Is there a charge for a child seat?
Yes. Child restraints are supplied and fitted at an additional charge, itemised on your fixed quote before you confirm and never added on the day. Bringing your own seat costs nothing.
Do you fit ISOFIX seats?
Our vehicles have ISOFIX and top-tether anchor points. Tell us if your own seat is ISOFIX so the chauffeur brings the right vehicle.
Can two children share the back with an adult?
In a sedan, two restraints plus an adult in the back is tight and often not possible with a capsule. A Luxury SUV or People Mover seats everyone properly and carries the pram.
How much does it cost to hire a chauffeur in Melbourne?
A fixed one-way transfer starts at $124 for Melbourne Airport to the CBD in an Executive Sedan; other suburbs, vehicle classes and standby bookings are quoted the same way, in writing, before you confirm. There is no meter and no surge.