When a person calls a taxi in London, Manchester or a small town somewhere in the south, he usually does not think about the risks. It seems that everything is simple: the car comes, you get in, and drive. But practice shows that it is better to be safe than sorry. Therefore, I decided to put together a small but useful list of points that every passenger should pay attention to.
Checking the license
Let’s start with the basics. In the UK, taxis cannot operate without a license. This has been written about many times, but there are still people who get into cars without a council sticker or without a driver’s badge. And then they are surprised: “Why is the fare twice as high?”.
How to check:
- the driver must wear a badge with a photo and a number;
- the car must have a council sticker (usually on the bumper or glass);
- in London, you can check a car by number on the TfL website.
If in doubt, just ask. A normal driver will show documents without unnecessary conversations.
Pick-up location
It may seem like a small thing, but where you get into the car matters. Especially in the evening.
It is better to wait for a taxi near a well-lit place – near a store, a metro station, near CCTV cameras. Avoid dark alleys or back streets. In the UK, the police regularly remind: a safe pick-up location reduces the risk of conflict situations.
Share your ride
To be honest, many people neglect this. But the “Share my trip” function is available in almost every app. Send a link to your loved ones, let them see where you are going. It takes ten seconds, but it creates a sense of calm.
And if you caught a black cab on the street – just text your friend the car number and the approximate direction.
Car check
Do not rush to open the door. Assess the car: is the brand the same as the one indicated in the app? Is the number the same? Does the driver say your name and not just nod? These simple details are often ignored, and then stories like “got into the wrong car” begin.
By the way, TfL has warned more than once: illegals can operate under the guise of private drivers.
Seat belt
A truism, but still. In the UK, both the driver and the passenger are required to wear a seat belt. Moreover, fines are issued not only to the driver, but also to the person sitting in the back.
And this is not only about the law. Accidents happen both in central London and on the highways. A seat belt is a simple habit that really saves lives.
Doors and windows
Close the door until it clicks. Leave the window slightly open if you feel insecure. A small thing, but it has a psychologically calming effect.
Money and payment
Almost everyone uses cards or Apple Pay these days. But if you still pay in cash, do not take out a large amount in front of the driver. In the UK, there are rarely problems with this, but caution never hurt anyone.
Alcohol and late trips
To be honest, most of the unpleasant stories are related to night trips from pubs or clubs. If you’ve been drinking, it’s better to order a car through an app rather than hail one on the street. This way, you’ll have a record of the order, the driver’s name, and the route.
Politeness also works
It may seem like a strange point, but it’s a fact: a calm tone and basic politeness reduce the risk of conflict. Even if the driver is wrong, don’t raise your voice right away. First, note the problem, and then resolve it by filing a complaint with the council or the company.
What you should keep with you
Sometimes safety depends on the little things. It would seem like a regular taxi ride, but a couple of things in your bag or phone can play an important role.
- a phone with a charger – trivial, but it’s a discharged battery that often prevents you from calling for help or sharing a route.
- a bank card or some cash – there are situations when online payment “falls”, especially at night.
- a screenshot of the order confirmation – sometimes the app “freezes”, and a screenshot helps prove that the trip was booked.
This does not mean that you need to collect a whole “survival kit”. But a couple of simple things really make life easier and the trip more peaceful.
What to do if something goes wrong
Has something unpleasant happened – from rudeness to dangerous driving? There are three options:
- report to the aggregator’s support (Uber, Bolt, Free Now – they all have quick complaint forms);
- contact the local council (each city has a Taxi Licensing Department, where complaints about licensed drivers are accepted);
- if the situation is serious – call the police on 101 (or 999, if it’s an emergency).
A few words in conclusion
This checklist seems obvious. But in practice, it’s the obvious things that people forget. One didn’t check the badge, another didn’t fasten his seat belt, a third got into the car on a dark street. And as a result, a simple trip turns into a problem.
The UK monitors the taxi industry quite strictly. Licenses, insurance, checks – all this really works. But the role of the passenger is also important. If you use simple rules, the trip will be calm. Or, as the British themselves say, better safe than sorry.