When your passenger in your taxi gives you a specific route, must you follow?

The correct answer is based on the principle that once a passenger specifies a route, as a private hire car driver, you are obligated to follow their instructions. This respects the passenger's autonomy and choice, allowing them to guide their journey based on personal preference, knowledge of the area, or any specific requirements they might have for that trip.

Furthermore, adhering to the passenger's requested route helps to build trust and ensures a more satisfactory ride experience. There may be scenarios where they have reasons for choosing a specific path, such as avoiding traffic or going to a preferred area. Therefore, following the passenger's instructions is integral to your role as a driver.

While there may be considerations about the efficiency or length of the route, the ultimate requirement is to comply with the passenger's wishes unless there are extenuating circumstances that make the specified route unsafe or illegal. Maintaining a good driver-passenger relationship is fundamentally important in the private hire driving profession.