You are arranging a driver for a family journey in your own car. The pickup and destination are clear, but a child will be travelling too. Before relying on the trip, settle a more important question: which restraint will the child use, and is it correctly fitted in that particular vehicle?
Drivers on Demand (DOD) is preparing an Auckland service that connects a verified, suitably licensed driver with an eligible customer or business-provided vehicle. Personal and business services are planned for 2 November 2026, subject to product alignment and readiness. Child-passenger support, restraint provision and installation arrangements have not been confirmed as launch services. Treat this as a preparation guide, and check the actual DOD booking rules when they are published.
Start with the child and the car
Write down the number and ages of children travelling, plus the restraint each child already uses. Check the restraint manufacturer’s height and weight limits, its approval label, and its instructions for your car. A seat that fits one child or vehicle is not automatically suitable for another.
NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA) explains the child-restraint requirements: the general rule for cars is an approved restraint for children under seven; seven-year-olds use an approved restraint if one is available; older children need an appropriate seatbelt, with continued booster use recommended until the belt fits properly. NZTA also describes specific exceptions for passenger services when no suitable restraint is available. Do not assume an exception settles whether a DOD booking can or should proceed. Check the final service policy and seek qualified advice about a particular restraint or vehicle.
Fit the restraint before pickup
Do not leave installation until the driver arrives. Follow both the child-restraint and vehicle manuals, including the approved seat position, belt or ISOFIX method, and any tether or anchor requirements. NZTA’s installation guidance explains why correct installation matters and recommends the back seat as the best place for a child restraint.
If you are unsure about fit, ask a child restraint technician listed by NZTA or another suitably qualified adviser before the journey. A verified driver should not be treated as a child-seat installer or technician unless DOD expressly confirms such a service.
Check that the installed seat leaves enough usable, belted places for everyone else. Count the driver too. Tell DOD the passenger count and any mobility or accessibility needs before relying on the booking; the customer page asks for passenger and accessibility information during trip review. Do not plan for a child to share a belt or ride on an adult’s lap.
Give the driver a short, clear handover
At pickup, identify the children travelling, show which seat each child uses, and point out any vehicle control relevant to the trip, such as rear-door child locks. The responsible adult should be ready to secure the child and explain the restraint’s usual use. The driver should have time to check that the journey can start without a visible concern or a distraction caused by last-minute changes.
If the restraint is missing, damaged, unsuitable or cannot be fitted as instructed, pause and resolve the issue before departure. Do not substitute an unconfirmed seat, move to another vehicle without updating the booking, or assume DOD can supply a replacement. NZTA’s passenger-service guidance advises passengers to provide their own child seat or ask a provider about availability; DOD’s own provision and acceptance rules remain to be confirmed.
A booking note you can prepare
| Detail | What to record |
|---|---|
| Children | Number and ages; any support needs relevant to the journey |
| Restraints | Type for each child and confirmation it is fitted in this car |
| Vehicle | Registration, available belted seats and any relevant anchor or access note |
| Handover | Adult responsible for securing the children at pickup and receiving them at destination |
| Journey | Exact pickup, stops, destination and realistic timing |
| If plans change | A contact who can decide whether to pause or revise the request |
For a booking arranged on behalf of a relative, also read Arranging a driver for a family member’s car. The before-you-book checklist covers vehicle authority, insurance and trip details. Use Contact DOD to ask whether your proposed child-passenger arrangement is supported when booking terms are available.
About this guide and sources
Prepared by Drivers on Demand NZ Limited’s editorial team and reviewed on 4 October 2026 against DOD’s customer and service pages and NZTA’s child-restraint requirements, installation guidance, technician directory and passenger-service guidance. This is general preparation information, not a restraint-fit assessment, legal opinion or confirmation that DOD supports a particular booking.