Travelling home safely in a taxi
Follow the safety advice below to make sure your journeys are safe and secure.
General safety advice
- Book it in advance with any company or trusted taxi driver
- Ensure you leave a trail that can be retraced easily by having a record of your call and journey information
- Travel home with friends where possible
- Keep fare money separate so you don't spend it
- Have your mobile with you to find out if the taxi/private hire vehicle is safe
You need to check
- Licence plate on the rear of the vehicle - make a note or take a photo, it is the unique reference to that vehicle
- Ask that the driver shows you their badge, and that the photo is a true likeness so that you know they are who they say they are - make a note of the badge number or take a photo
- All taxi journeys should be undertaken with the meter on (see above), this is in your clear view
- If the meter is not on ask the driver to put it on - make a note or take a photo
- The maximum fee is shown on the meter and you should not pay more than that, and this fare is for one or more people
- Always ask for a receipt especially if you think it is an excessive fare - make a note or take a photo
- Drivers should not ask you for money up front, if they do make a note or take a photo and go to the next taxi on the rank, if a taxi marshal is present tell them
- If the driver on a taxi rank refuses to take you, especially if it is a short journey - make a note or take a photo, if a taxi marshal is present tell them
- If you have any concerns regarding refusal to take you, or any other reason make a note or take a photo
When making a note or taking a photo - we need the following:
- Plate number which is on the rear of the vehicle and inside on the windscreen
- Driver's badge number, name or the vehicle registration number