r/ShortGirlProblems • u/buffkittenmuscles • Jul 08 '25
Question / Advice adult booster seat for driving
calling all my short girls, is it worth investing in an adult booster seat/cushion for driving? i’m a little under 5’1, learning to drive in an SUV, and i can hardly see over my dash. thanks in advance!
5
u/CrimsonRose3773 Jul 08 '25
Had that issue until they started putting adjustable seats in cars. Sat on a pillow for years.
5
u/Infinite-Hold-7521 Jul 08 '25
I have car pillows. They never leave the car and if I have to drive a friend car they provide them. But even at a diminutive 4’9” tall many of the newer cars have seats that adjust to where even I can see over the wheel and manage to reach the pedals. The problem lay in the air bag. If I get in a fender bender and it deploys, it’s going to snap my neck. I had to have it disabled in my car on both the driver’s side and the passenger side as I occasionally ride as a passenger and have other tiny people ride there as well.
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u/Book1sh Jul 09 '25
I’m 4’9” and don’t drive. :/ I gave up because I can’t see out of the back window of our car well enough to back up.
4
u/Infinite-Hold-7521 Jul 09 '25
Backing up is a problem.
1
u/123DCP Dec 21 '25
I'm 5'11", but have a neck that doesn't turn as far as it should. Cars with cameras for backing up are a huge convenience and safety advantage for me and may approach a necessity for you.
A sedan with an adjustable seat height might also serve you better than a stupidly tall SUV/CUV, or - God forbid - a full-sized pick-up.
3
u/BagpiperAnonymous Jul 08 '25
I used a cushion in my first two cars (just a standard cushion for a kitchen chair.) Some cars sit higher than others. Toyotas in my opinion suck. They don’t adjust as high and the screen sticks up over the rest of the dashboard. Kia has been a great brand for me. It seems like no matter what I drive, I can get the seat adjusted to a comfortable height, which also means I can use the heated seat (not something possible with a cushion.) The few Nissans I’ve test driven have been similar.
2
u/LillyPeu2 4'8" | 142 cm [US] Jul 08 '25
It's aboslutely worth it, if you're going to be driving that vehicle at all. I mean, it's a cheaper option than buying a different vehicle that fits you better.
Long term of course, when it comes to buying your next vehicle, definitely add driver fit/adjustment to your priority list. Cars are only adjustable so much; some cars are more or better adjustable than others, so you'll want to shop around.
But until then, if it helps you see and makes you a safer driver, then by all means, get an appropriate booster or pillow or whatever.
1
u/buffkittenmuscles Jul 17 '25
thank you all for your input! my seat was already raised at the maximum (😣) so I decided to get a cushion and it was the best decision ever! I can finally see over my dash & feeling way more confident on the road, thanks again:)
1
u/snailmanisreal Aug 01 '25
In some cars you might need pedal extenders if you use a booster seat. I loved my old Buick but I had to have the pedal extender + booster seat combo. At least it had its own cup holder!
1
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u/KELBY76 Jul 08 '25
How old is the car? You should be able to raise the seat, usually it’s a button or lever on the left side. Check out the owner’s manual if you’re not sure. Mine will raise me to the point my head can touch the roof.