✅ Taxi / Uber / Bolt
The general Polish requirement for a child under 150 cm to use a child seat does not apply when the child is being transported by taxi.
Kids Love Poland → Getting around → Child seats in taxis
Poland with kids · transport rules
Do You Need a Child Seat in Uber, Bolt or Taxi in Poland?
This is one of the most useful things to know before landing in Poland with small children — especially if you plan to take an Uber or Bolt from the airport.
Short answer: legally, a child seat is not mandatory in a taxi in Poland.
Polish road law explicitly exempts taxis from the general rule requiring children under 150 cm to use a child restraint. Uber and Bolt rides in Poland are operated as licensed taxi services, so the taxi exemption applies to normal app-booked rides as well.
So can my child really ride without a car seat?
Yes under the taxi exception — but there are important details.
⚠️ The front seat is different
A child under 150 cm may not ride on the front seat without an appropriate child restraint. If there is no car seat, put the child in the rear seat.
🚕 Uber and Bolt are taxi services in Poland
Both platforms require Polish vehicles/drivers to have taxi licensing documentation. Bolt additionally states explicitly in its Polish rider guidance that a child seat is not mandatory for children travelling in Poland.
🪑 Do not expect the driver to provide one
Standard rides do not guarantee a child seat. Bolt states that drivers are not required to have one. Availability of any special child-seat category can vary by city and app.
What the law actually says
The key rule is Article 39 of Poland's Road Traffic Act.
As a general rule, a child under 150 cm travelling in a passenger vehicle fitted with seat belts must use an appropriate child restraint.
But Article 39(4) says that this requirement does not apply when a child is transported by taxi.
Separately, Article 40 prohibits transporting a child under 150 cm on the front seat without a child restraint. So the practical no-seat taxi arrangement is the rear seat.
Legal text: Polish Road Traffic Act (official ELI text) →
Legal does not mean equally safe
For babies and small children, a proper car seat remains the safer choice.
The taxi exception solves a practical problem for occasional urban transport; it does not make an adult seat belt fit a small child correctly. If you expect many car journeys, a long motorway transfer or airport rides with an infant, consider bringing your own travel seat or arranging a transfer that confirms the correct seat in advance.
Our practical advice for foreign families
✈️ Airport → hotel
Uber/Bolt is a very convenient option with luggage and a stroller. If you are comfortable using the taxi exemption, put the child in the rear seat.
👶 Travelling with a baby
We would strongly prefer a correctly fitted infant seat despite the legal exemption. Ask a transfer/taxi company before booking or bring a suitable travel seat.
👧 Older child
For a short city taxi ride the Polish taxi exception makes spontaneous Uber/Bolt use much easier than in countries where every ride legally requires a child seat.
📱 Message the driver if needed
If you want to install your own seat, contact the driver after matching. A driver may refuse a trip if they are not comfortable with the arrangement.
🚆 Do not use Uber for everything
Between central Gdańsk, Sopot and Gdynia, SKM is often faster and cheaper during traffic. Use Uber/Bolt for door-to-door convenience, luggage or awkward connections.
👨👩👧👦 Bigger family?
Look for XL categories when available. Uber currently advertises UberXL for up to six passengers in the Tri-City.
Uber or Bolt in the Tri-City?
For most visitors, the sensible answer is: install both and compare the live price and pickup time.
Uber
Available 24/7 in Gdańsk, Sopot and Gdynia. The app shows the estimated fare before booking, and XL is available in the Tri-City.
Bolt
Also operates licensed taxi rides in Poland. Bolt's Polish support explicitly confirms that a child car seat is not legally mandatory for children in Polish taxi rides.
Platform information: Uber Poland vehicle requirements · Bolt: travelling with children in Poland
FAQ
Do I need to bring a car seat to Poland?
If you rent a car, normally yes for a child under 150 cm unless another statutory exception applies. If you only plan to use licensed taxis/Uber/Bolt, Polish law provides a taxi exception — although a proper seat is still safer.
Will my Uber or Bolt have a child seat?
Do not assume so. Standard vehicles are not required to provide one. Check the app for any local child-seat option or arrange one directly in advance.
Can I hold my baby on my lap in a taxi?
The taxi exemption removes the statutory child-seat requirement, but holding an infant on an adult's lap does not provide comparable crash protection. We recommend arranging an infant seat whenever practical.
Can my child sit in the front without a seat?
No if the child is under 150 cm. The front-seat restriction remains; use the rear seat if travelling under the taxi exception without a child restraint.
Last checked: August 2026. This page summarises current Polish rules for family travel and is not individual legal advice. Transport law and app categories can change, so follow current official rules and platform information for your trip.