Renting a taxi in India is tricky, and not easy.
To get a taxi, you’ll need to prove your identity and to provide proof of address, but the process is complicated.
If you can’t provide those details, your reservation will be denied.
The reason for this is that the Indian government has banned any form of online booking, and there’s no way for people to verify that they’re a resident of India.
For that reason, we’ll be focusing on renting a taxi for those who can’t afford to pay.
To find out more about renting a cab, read our guide to Indian taxi-rental companies.
Read more: India’s taxi companies are a big deal for those looking to get around.
Here are some of the top ways you can rent a cab in India.1.
You have to book online1.
Rent a taxi through UberThe taxi-sharing service Uber allows its users to rent taxis from other users.
If a user has a ridebooking profile with the service, they can rent the cab.2.
You must book a reservation within 48 hours1.
Pick up the reservation and pay for the cab2.
Make your reservation in India online.
If the driver doesn’t accept reservations online, you can make your reservation by phone.
If not, you will have to pay the fare yourself.
If it’s not possible to pay online, a friend will have the option of paying in cash, but it’s also possible to deposit the money into the account.3.
You need to book a carThe cost of a car varies from city to city, and you can pay a fixed deposit.
For example, in Delhi, the cost of renting a car is Rs 1,200 per day, but in Bangalore, it’s Rs 1.50 per day.
If your reservation is booked in India, the deposit is Rs 2,000.
If there’s a delay in the booking, the car will be picked up after 48 hours.4.
The driver can only pick up you once you have a reservation4.
You can’t book a taxi from outside the countryIf you’re not able to find a driver willing to pick you up from outside India, you might be able to get a reservation through a friend or an online reservation platform.
Here’s a handy guide to the most popular booking platforms.5.
You’ll need a lot of cash for a taxiThe average cost of taxi-riding in India in 2018 was around Rs 4,500, according to the Indian Statistical Department.
However, many Indian cities charge a high deposit for a rental, which can be up to $50,000 (Rs 16,000) for a two-hour trip.
This means you’ll have to put in a deposit that’s around Rs 2 lakh (Rs 6,000).6.
You may have to give up your seatThe most common reason to drop a ride is because of a dispute.
This happens when a passenger complains about the condition of a vehicle, and the driver says no.
You also have to provide evidence of residency.7.
It’s hard to find reliable drivers in IndiaThe taxi market in India isn’t as well regulated as in other parts of the world.
Some drivers don’t take taxis at all.
Others may refuse to take a ride if they have a dispute with their customers.
In other cities, like Mumbai, the city has a monopoly on taxi-buses.
But the government has a lot more oversight over taxi-booking.8.
You might be charged for parkingWhile it’s true that the government regulates taxis in India as an industry, some drivers have refused to pick up their passengers in a certain part of the city, or even in certain neighbourhoods.
So if you park your car in an unoccupied space, it could lead to fines.9.
Your reservation may not be confirmed onlineIf your reservation doesn’t confirm online, it means you didn’t make it online.
You should call your local taxi company to confirm the status of your reservation, and then check if your reservation has been confirmed online.10.
You won’t get a refundIf you don’t get the refund, you may have missed out on a chance to pick your driver up.
If this happens, make sure you get in touch with your driver directly.
If you’ve got any other questions, feel free to email us at [email protected]
