London planning
How to check the car and driver are really yours
Arriving somewhere unfamiliar, tired or late at night, it is worth thirty seconds to check the person meeting you is the person you booked. A short, practical routine.
Published 26 Oct 20262 min read
Pre-booked means no one should need to approach you
A private hire car in London is booked in advance. It cannot be hailed in the street, and offering rides to people who walk past is illegal for anyone without the right licences. So the simplest rule is also the strongest: if you did not book it, do not get in, however friendly the offer at arrivals or outside a station.
Five checks before you get in
- Know who is meeting you. For a meet-and-greet airport arrival, your driver is inside the terminal holding a name board with your name. Look for that, not for someone calling out to you. Where to meet your driver.
- Match the name. Once a driver is assigned, your journey link shows their name. It should be the person in front of you.
- Match the vehicle, if your confirmation gives it. If the registration or model is listed, check it against the car.
- Look at the licensing. A London private hire car displays a TfL licence disc in the windscreen and a licence plate at the rear, and the driver can show you their licence badge. You can check an operator on TfL's public register; ours is licence no. 11928, and our drivers hold individual TfL private hire driver licences and have enhanced DBS checks. See licences, checks and insurance.
- Say your name and your destination yourself. Ask the driver to confirm both. The right driver already knows them; ask "are you my driver?" and anyone can say yes.
Tell someone you trust
Your journey link shows progress and, once the car is on its way, its position. Anyone who has the link can open that booking, so share it only with a person you trust, such as a family member or friend waiting at the other end.
If anything feels wrong
Do not get in. Stay in a busy, lit place and call us on the number in your confirmation: we answer 24 hours a day and can check who is assigned and where they are. If you are in danger, call 999. If you have already travelled and were uncomfortable, tell us afterwards so we can look into it.
Questions, answered.
How will I know which driver is mine?
At an airport with meet and greet, your driver holds a name board with your name inside the terminal. Your journey link shows your driver's name once they are assigned, and your confirmation gives the meeting details.
Can I check that P5 is licensed?
Yes. P5 Chauffeurs is a TfL licensed private hire operator, licence no. 11928, and every driver holds an individual TfL private hire driver licence and has passed an enhanced DBS check. You can check an operator on TfL's public register.
What if someone offers me a lift at arrivals?
Say no. A pre-booked car does not need to find you by approaching you. Wait for the name board or call the number in your confirmation.
Check your journey price
Enter the addresses, date, passengers and luggage to check the price. If your itinerary needs team approval, wait for a confirmed fixed fare before paying. Your confirmation sets out the agreed journey and included charges; changes and extra waiting may cost more.
Rather talk it through? Call 020 8742 2888, 24 hours a day.
P5 Chauffeurs is a TfL-licensed private hire operator (licence no. 11928). Every journey is pre-booked at a fixed price with a licensed driver in a licensed vehicle. Written by P5 Chauffeurs.