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Whether you need a ride home from the shops with your heavy shopping, headed to the airport on holiday or returning home after a big night out, a taxi is a great option for when driving isn’t convenient. Whether you’re a taxi regular or a total novice, it goes without saying that you want to have a pleasant journey every time, so to aid you in that we’ve compiled a quick and easy do’s and don’ts list to cover any eventuality that might occur next time you find yourself in need of a ride!

Chatting To The Driver

DO – feel free to speak as little or as much as you want to. Taxi drivers love having a chat with their passengers, it’s a great way to pass the journey and makes a long day behind the wheel much more pleasant. With all the different types of people that take a taxi, it’s a great opportunity to learn about other people’s lives which is endlessly interesting!

DON’T – deliberately distract the driver. While a conversation is great, being extremely loud or trying to get the driver to take their eyes off the road is extremely dangerous. At all times the driver’s priority is getting you to your destination safely, so chat away, but if the driver needs to take a moment to focus on the road, ensure that you allow them to do their job in the safest way they can!

Having A Drink

DO – enjoy a drink before taking your taxi. We’re all human, and it’s only natural that if you’re on your way out, or on your way home, you’d want to indulge yourself a little and have as much fun as possible. Taxi drivers love the fact that they can be a small part in your great night out!

DON’T – get too drunk. We’ve all been there, your mate’s a little too far gone and vomits all over the taxi, incurring a pretty hefty fine. It’s a horrible situation for everyone – the driver can’t earn while their car is dirty, and you’ll have to find an alternative route home. If you feel like you’ve had a little bit too much, drink some water and try to sit outside to sober up before setting foot in your cab!

Giving Directions

DO – let the driver know if you have a preferred route at the beginning of the journey. We want to get you from A to B as quickly as possible, so if you know a great route, please let the driver know! After all, if you know the area, you’ll likely be able to help them out! Whatever we can do to accommodate you and make your journey more pleasant, we will gladly oblige!

DON’T – shout directions at the driver while they are driving. It seems obvious, but while the driver is in motion, it’s extremely important not to distract him. It’s understandable that if heavy traffic is encountered and you know a great alternative you’ll want to let the driver know, so if this is the case ask them to pull over so you can advise them in order to allow the driver to maintain 100% focus while driving.

Late Taxi

DO – call the office for an update. They will know exactly where your cab is and be able to indicate an accurate ETA. If traffic is heavy or there is an accident sometimes lateness can be unavoidable, but the office should have an idea as to why any delays have taken place so they are the best place to start.

DON’T – be aggressive towards or call the driver. If you have the driver’s number do not call them to ask them where they are as they are more likely than not driving and will not be able to respond. Do not behave negatively towards the driver if they are late as when driving there are a number of factors outside the driver’s control and it is more than likely this was the cause of their lateness.

Big Parties

DO – call the office and request a larger cab in advance of your journey. Most cab companies will be able to accommodate larger parties, however due to the generally lower availability of these vehicles, advanced booking is essential.

DON’T – assume you can cram more people in the taxi. It is illegal for taxi drivers to carry more passengers than their car can officially accommodate, so do not ask if one of your friends can sit in your lap or go in the boot. While it may seem amusing, doing so would risk the taxi driver facing prosecution, so it’s best not to go there!

If you need to get somewhere but driving isn’t an option, contact ABC via phone, our app or our website to book a great value taxi quickly and easily.