Florida law (FL Statute 316.613) states:“Every operator of a motor vehicle ... while transporting a child in a motor vehicle operated on the roadways, streets, or highways of this state, shall, if the child is 5 years of age or younger, provide for protection of the child by properly using a crash-tested, federally approved child restraint device. For children aged through 3 years, such restraint device must be a separate carrier or a vehicle manufacturer's integrated child seat. For children aged 4 through 5 years, a separate carrier, an integrated child seat, or a seat belt may be used.”
Should you use your own child seats or get them from the car rental company? To me, this is a pretty easy one! Parents undoubtedly already have child/infant seats that their children are already familiar with that they use at home. If you are flying on an airplane and have a child seat that is FAA approved (the label should read, “This restraint is certified for use in motor vehicles and aircraft”), place your child in it while on the airplane. To fit in a typical coach seat, it should be no more than 16 inches in width and should be used in a window seat so that it does not block the emergency exits for other passengers (book the window seat in advance). Using a car seat on an airplane is undoubtedly safer for the child, easier on the parents and will save you money when it comes time to rent a car. The down side is that it is just that much more “baggage” to lug around as you make your way to and from the airport terminal.
If it is impractical, impossible or just too much of a hassle to bring your own child seats with you, all car rental companies have them available for rent. You will see prices that range from $5.00 per day or less, if you are renting multiple car seats (usually at the smaller, local companies) to $10.00 per day (at the larger car rental companies). You will definitely want to reserve infant seats, child seats or booster seats in advance - and be specific when making your car seat reservation. Otherwise, they are available on a first-come, first-served basis and you could find yourself in a situation where the car rental company has “sold out” of them.