How to check a driver and trip are safe before you get in

A driver's rating alone doesn't tell you whether the specific trip ahead is safe—you need to run active checks before you climb in. The difference between a rushed decision and a careful one takes maybe two minutes and can shift your risk profile significantly.

Verify the driver's identity and credentials

The moment a driver is assigned, cross-check the name, car colour and registration plate shown in the app against what you see pulling up. A mismatch—even a typo—is a reason to cancel and request a new driver. If the service uses a formal registration (such as ride-hailing operators licensed in provinces like Gauteng or the Western Cape), ask the driver for their operating permit or licence number and confirm it matches the app. You can request this via the in-app chat before they arrive; a legitimate driver will have no issue.

If you're using a service that connects you directly with independent operators, ask for proof they hold the required transport permits or affiliations. Phone them and listen to how they respond—do they answer clearly, or do they seem evasive? A professional driver will expect basic questions. If the driver has no way to prove their status, that's your signal to cancel.

Request and ring a recent reference

Before confirming the trip, ask the driver for the contact number of someone they've driven recently—not a relative, but a passenger from the last week. Most drivers won't be ready for this question, which is precisely why it works. A driver confident in their safety record will offer it. Ring that person (not message; a voice call is harder to fake) and ask two things: "Did the driver arrive exactly as described?" and "Would you book them again?" You're listening for hesitation, vagueness or any sign they regret the trip.

If the driver refuses or says they can't provide a reference, cancel. A driver with even a handful of regular passengers will have someone willing to vouch for them in real time. This step filters out drivers who cut corners or have something to hide.

Check the route and car before moving

Once the driver is stationary outside, look at the vehicle in person. Does the colour and plate match exactly what the app shows? Are the doors accessible from inside and outside (some unsafe practices involve child locks enabled for adults)? Is the interior clean and free of anything that raises alarm—loose items, suspicious equipment, anything that signals poor maintenance or worse?

Before you move, confirm the destination with the driver aloud. If they're driving you somewhere other than where you requested, stop and ask why—there may be a legitimate traffic reason, but you need to hear it. Watch the route unfold on the app; if the driver is meandering or going wildly off course, speak up immediately. Most ride-hailing apps let you share your trip details with a trusted contact in real time; use this feature, especially for longer journeys or unfamiliar areas.

If at any point the driver makes you uncomfortable—inappropriate comments, aggressive driving, strange requests—you have the right to end the trip. Direct them to pull over, exit safely and report the incident to the platform and local authorities if needed. Your gut feeling matters more than politeness.

Finding a driver you can trust starts with these tangible, repeatable checks. Strove makes it straightforward to vet ride-hailing and chauffeur providers before you book; you can read genuine customer feedback, check their certifications and get in touch directly to ask the questions that matter to you.