Signs a ride isn't safe — and what to do about it

You're standing on the kerb waiting for your ride, phone in hand, when something feels off. Maybe the driver is circling the block instead of heading your way. Maybe they're texting you asking for your location when the app already shows it. Maybe they've cancelled three times and rebooked under a different name. These moments—before you even get in the car—are when your instincts matter most.

Most ride-hailing trips go smoothly, but recognising warning signs early gives you time to cancel, call someone, or take a different option altogether. The goal isn't paranoia; it's reading the situation so you're in control of your choice, not stuck defending it once the car has moved.

The driver isn't where the app says they are

When you book, the app shows you a car icon moving toward your location. Watch it. If the driver picks up your request but then doesn't move, or starts going in the opposite direction, or the icon freezes for several minutes, something is wrong. They might be with another passenger they haven't logged off, or they might not be heading to you at all. Don't wait and hope. Cancel the ride. A legitimate driver heading to collect you will move toward your pin almost immediately.

Similarly, if the driver calls or texts asking you to walk to a different location—a quieter street, a different corner, further down the road—pause. The app is designed so they come to you. Asking you to move, especially away from public view or into a less busy area, is a red flag. Politely decline and cancel.

The car details don't match what you booked

Before the car arrives, the app shows you the make, model, colour and number plate. When it pulls up, verify these match. A white Toyota instead of a silver one. A different registration plate. The driver who arrives doesn't match their photo—different gender, age, or ethnicity. These aren't small oversights; they suggest either the driver has swapped vehicles (often a sign they're not authorised to use the original one) or you're looking at the wrong car.

If the details don't match, don't get in. Take a photo of the actual car's number plate, tell the driver the booking won't proceed, and cancel through the app. Report what you saw. This protects you and flags the issue to the platform.

The driver's behaviour when they arrive feels unsafe

They pull up aggressively, revving the engine or honking instead of simply arriving. They're on their phone, not paying attention. They seem impatient, rushing you, or asking questions that seem designed to isolate you: "Where are you really going? Is anyone meeting you?" They won't unlock the door until you tell them more. They ask you to sit in the front seat when you'd prefer the back. Any of these moments is permission to step away.

You might worry about cancellation fees or looking rude. Neither is worth your comfort. A professional driver—whether app-based or booked—respects your boundaries and acts with patience. Nervousness in these early seconds is information. Use it.

What to do once you've decided it's not right

Cancellation is straightforward: open the app, find the trip, and tap cancel. You may be charged a small fee if the driver has already started moving toward you, but that's a fair trade for safety. If you feel genuinely unsafe—the driver is following you, won't let you leave the car, or is behaving in a threatening way—leave the vehicle if it's safe to do so, move to a public place, and call emergency services. Then report the trip to the ride-hailing platform.

The verification tools on these apps (driver photos, number plates, ratings) exist for a reason. When they stop adding up, the system is telling you something. Trust it. Verifying drivers and vehicles is standard practice; when something breaks from the pattern, that's your cue to choose a different ride. Services on Strove let you compare options—some drivers offer a more personal touch or come with different review histories. Taking 30 seconds to vet your choice before booking makes the difference between a routine trip and a moment where you had to think twice.