1. Rates must be checked against the local fare regulations. Fake taxis almost always charge excessive fare rates that often run far above the normal rates. One should usually ask for the fare before agreeing to a ride.
2. The body of a genuine cab is important: Most taxi cars are liable to focus and perform normally decent duties that include cleaning and engine maintenance. In fact, they must work with regard to their comfort. Use caution since the presence of shuttle buses often leads one to suspect that they are either fakes or poorly maintained taxis.
3. Check the body of the taxis: Are the taxi's windows dirty? Does it have shiny paint? How about well-maintained tires? You ought to avoid those taxis that are clear signs of wear and tear or even damage as they are usually poorly maintained or are into exploitation of the fare rates.
4. What do the seats look like? Are they kept clean and do they remain in their places? Can one see the steering wheel or dashboard buttons? This may also signal the presence of wear and some features looking rather odd. Fake taxis are usually exploited with modification from an early date in order to hide their authenticity, whereas real taxis may not undergo too many major modifications which in themselves change the quality of certain features.
1. The Brand Check: To be on the safe side, travel by a known brand, such as Mai Linh, Vinasun, or Taxi Group. Following record and experience, taxi companies with a good track record are less likely to trick you.
2. Dress-Down/Identification: A legitimate taxi driver usually dons his or her company uniform, with identification or badge clearly visible. Check if the driver is wearing the proper attire and is presenting a visible identification.
3. Usage of the Meter: In any case, ensure that the meter is switched on at every stop. Fake taxis will often try to get the customer to agree to a flat rate or will use a rigged meter. If you notice the driver refuses to switch on the meter, be conscious that something may be wrong.
4. Vehicle Condition and Appearance: Government-approved taxis should ideally be in good condition; this includes being clean, as well as having both company logos and contact details clearly visible in the cab. Try to avoid boarding taxis that appear old, poorly maintained, or devoid of proper branding.
5. Book Through Secure Applications: Get rides from well-known applications like Grab, Gojek, or Be. Thanks to app transparency and ride tracking, it gets really hard for cheats to operate.
Observe the condition of the vehicle: While there is no guarantee, genuine taxis tend to be in relatively good condition. If the taxi looks old, poorly maintained, or has signs of tampering (such as the meter), it may be fake.