Coronavirus (COVID-19): Driver Partners - You matter to us.
Updated: 02 February 2022
We are maintaining safeguarding measures to protect you against the spread of COVID-19. Please follow the UK Government guidance for taxis and PHVs.
Travel restrictions in England
Passengers must observe social contact rules and follow safer travel guidance for passengers from the UK Government.
Face coverings
From Thursday 27 January, the requirement to wear face coverings in law has been lifted. However, the government expects and recommends that people wear face coverings in crowded areas such as public transport, in private hire vehicles and taxis.
Face coverings are available to all Driver Partners operating with V Cars. Contact your Driver Partner Experience Team to request your face coverings, and they will arrange for you to collect a pack, free of charge, every week on an ongoing basis. For more information, click here.
You do not have to wear a face covering, but the UK Government is advising that licensed private-hire and Hackney drivers should also wear a face-covering during journeys (as long as the wearing of a face-covering does not impair your driving ability). For more information, click here.
It is recommended that passengers put on a face covering when travelling in private hire vehicles and taxis unless they’re exempt.
Please be respectful, not everyone can wear a face covering. Visit the guidance for When you do not need to wear a face covering. In these instances, passengers are encouraged to download a face-covering exemption card.
In-vehicle face-covering notices
It is recommended that drivers place a prominent sign in your vehicle advising passengers of the requirement to wear a face-covering.
A small poster is available for you to print off and display in your vehicle. Download here.
Social distancing
There’s only so much social-distancing you can do in a vehicle. Ask all passengers to sit in the rear seats of the vehicle. Preferably on the left if they are traveling alone.
Protective screens
In-vehicle screens can be fitted in some vehicles, not in others. They are not compulsory and are entirely at the discretion of driver partners. Further information is available on the Driver Partner Portal.
Vehicle cleaning
We have identified specialist, regional vehicle cleaning stations. Contact your Driver Partner Experience Team to find your local cleaning station.
Ventilation
Encourage passengers to increase air-flow by opening windows, where appropriate, to ensure vehicles are well ventilated.
Contactless payment
To minimise the handling of cash we have contactless payment options available for all journeys using AirPay or our mobile app.
Keeping our towns and cities moving safely and efficiently is not a one-way street.
Passengers also need to play their part to help protect Driver Partners by:
- Avoiding contact.
- Wearing a cloth face-covering.
- Using adequate ventilation.
- Sitting in the back seat.
- Washing their hands.
