Passenger Care
Responsibility
Caring for passengers is a key part of professional taxi driving. You are responsible for their safety and comfort when they enter, exit, and travel in your vehicle. Your aim is to transport them:
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Safely
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Comfortably
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Efficiently
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Courteously
Ensure you collect and drop them off in a safe and convenient location. Remember: you represent the licensing authority, and your behaviour reflects on them.
Ask Yourself
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Are passengers comfortable and secure during the journey?
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Does your driving style feel smooth and safe?
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Do they need help getting in or out of the vehicle? Be aware of passengers with special needs.
Good Practice
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Look directly at passengers when speaking, as this helps communication.
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Ensure passengers are seated and settled before moving off.
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In a breakdown, prioritise passenger safety and help them complete their journey.
Passenger Seatbelts
Passengers must wear seat belts where provided.
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Adults are responsible for their own seat belt use.
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Drivers must ensure children under 14 wear seat belts, except in taxis with a fixed partition between the front and rear.
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Child seats are not usually available in taxis, so the law allows:
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Children under 3 years may travel unrestrained, but only in the rear.
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Children 3 years and older must wear an adult seat belt in the rear if no suitable child restraint is available.
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Any child under 135 cm (approx. 4 ft 5 in) travelling in the front seat must use the seat belt or appropriate child restraint provided.
Lost Property
If a passenger leaves property in your vehicle, hand it in as soon as possible—normally to a police station unless your licensing authority operates a designated lost-property service. Check local procedures.