Taxi safety: 8 essential tips

Taxi safety: 8 essential tips

Taxis are one of the safest modes of transport in France. Drivers are licensed, vehicles are inspected and fares are regulated. However, a few simple precautions can make every ride even safer, particularly for night journeys, in unfamiliar cities or abroad. Here are 8 essential tips.

Tip 1: Check it is a real taxi

Signs of an official taxi

Before getting into a vehicle, make sure it is an official taxi. In France, a legitimate taxi must always display:

• A roof light: device with the word "TAXI" and a municipality number. Green = available, red = occupied
• A taximeter visible from the back seat
• A professional plate fixed to the vehicle
• The driver's professional card with photo, displayed inside the vehicle
• The fare chart displayed inside

Signs of an unlicensed taxi

Be wary if the vehicle shows any of these warning signs:

• No roof light
• The driver approaches you spontaneously in the street or at the airport exit
• No meter or meter switched off
• No visible professional card
• The driver refuses to start the meter and offers an unregulated "flat" price
• The vehicle has no professional plate

TaxiNeo reflex: by booking via the app, you have the guarantee of a verified and licensed driver. The name, photo and licence number are displayed before the ride.

Tip 2: Share your trip with someone close

Why it matters

Sharing the details of your ride with a friend or family member is one of the most effective safety gestures. If something goes wrong, someone knows where you are.

How to do it

• By text: send the driver's name, licence number and registration plate
• Via app: TaxiNeo offers a real-time trip sharing feature. Send a link to a contact who can follow your position on a map
• By phone call: call someone during the ride if you do not feel comfortable

When to do it systematically

• Night rides (after 10 pm)
• Rides in an unfamiliar city
• Rides from an isolated location
• When travelling alone

Tip 3: Always sit in the back

The safest seat

The rear right seat (pavement side) is considered the safest seat in a taxi for several reasons:

• Easy exit on the pavement side in case of emergency
• Physical distance from the driver
• Visibility: you can see the driver and the meter
• GPS access: you can follow the route on your phone

Exception

You may sit in the front if you are a group of 3 or 4 passengers and the 4th rear seat is not available. Some passengers also prefer the front due to motion sickness.

Tip 4: Follow the route on your GPS

Why it is useful

Even though the vast majority of drivers are honest, following the route on your own GPS is a good habit:

• Detour detection: you immediately spot an abnormally long route
• Reassurance: you know where you are at all times
• Communication: you can share your position in real time

How to do it

• Open Google Maps, Waze or Apple Maps on your phone
• Enter your destination and compare the suggested route with the driver's
• If the route seems abnormal, ask politely: "I see my GPS suggests another way, is there a problem on the road?"

Tip 5: Keep your valuables on you

Reflexes to adopt

• Phone and wallet: keep them in your pocket or bag, not on the seat
• Handbag: between your feet or on your lap, never in the boot
• Important documents: passport, tickets, papers — always in your hand luggage
• Electronic devices: laptop in its bag, on your lap or between your feet

Before getting out

Get into the habit of checking the seat and floor before leaving the vehicle. The items most frequently forgotten in taxis are:

1. 1.Mobile phone (slipped between seats)
2. 2.Wallet
3. 3.Glasses
4. 4.Umbrellas
5. 5.Shopping bags

On TaxiNeo, if you forget an item, you can contact the driver directly via the app to arrange collection.

Tip 6: Trust your instinct

When something feels wrong

If you feel uneasy or notice an unusual situation, do not ignore it:

• The driver behaves aggressively or inappropriately
• The vehicle does not match the description
• The route is clearly abnormal
• The driver refuses to drop you at your destination
• The driver locks the doors for no reason

What to do

1. 1.Stay calm: do not show panic
2. 2.Ask to get out: "Stop here please, I am getting out"
3. 3.Call for help: dial 17 (police) or 112 (European emergencies)
4. 4.Attract attention: if the driver refuses to stop, open the window and shout
5. 5.Note the information: licence number, registration plate, description

Emergency numbers in France

Tip 7: Know your rights

The driver's obligations

The taxi driver has legal obligations towards you:

• Pick up any passenger who requests it (with legal exceptions)
• Take the shortest or fastest route
• Start the meter at the beginning of the ride
• Accept card payment (since 2018)
• Issue a receipt on request
• Drive carefully and respect traffic regulations

Your rights as a passenger

• You can request the route of your choice
• You can refuse a non-regulatory surcharge
• You can get out at any time (after paying the metered amount)
• You can film or record the taxi interior (it is a professional space)
• You can file a complaint in case of inappropriate behaviour

Tip 8: Use a reliable booking app

Why the app is safer

Booking via an app like TaxiNeo offers an additional level of security:

• Identified driver: name, photo, licence number visible before the ride
• Complete traceability: the route, price and time are recorded
• Trip sharing: send a real-time tracking link to your contacts
• Ride history: all your rides are archived
• Review system: poorly rated drivers are identifiable
• Customer support: in case of problems, the TaxiNeo team is reachable

App precautions

• Check the plate of the arriving vehicle against the one displayed in the app
• Confirm the first name of the driver
• Do not get in a vehicle that does not match the app information
• Report any problem immediately via the app's emergency button

Taxi safety should not be a source of anxiety. Taxis remain one of the safest transport modes in France. By applying these 8 simple tips, you turn every ride into a peaceful journey. With TaxiNeo, you benefit from additional guarantees: verified drivers, complete traceability and real-time trip sharing. Travel with peace of mind.