Frequently Asked Questions

IT IS STILL LIGHT OUTSIDE AND I PAID MORE THAN USUAL IS THIS NORMAL?

The night rate for Taxis, in Grenoble and elsewhere, does not follow sunrise and sunset, but the times set out in various decrees (prefectoral and municipal). For the case of Grenoble, the night tariff for Taxis runs from 7pm to 7am, Sundays all day as well as public holidays, as well as on roads during snowfall and black ice.

I PAID MORE THAN THE METER

On certain (old) taxi meter models, price supplements cannot be added. Therefore, the total amount may be higher than the meter amount. However, if you take a Taxi journey which goes through a toll, and given the impossibility of adding this supplement to the meter, the total amount of the journey will be higher than the displayed price. It is also possible that some taxis charge supplements for unregulated services, which may also be added to the price.

I SAW THE DRIVER TOUCH THE METER DURING THE JOURNEY

The taxi driver may have to manipulate the meter during a journey in the event of changing the hourly tariff, changing a tariff during the journey from the starting point or adding supplements (on appropriate meters).

A DRIVER TAXI REFUSED TO ISSUE ME WITH A RECEIPT AND/OR ASKED ME TO PAY FOR A RECEIPT

These are both prohibited practices. Issue of a receipt is of course free of charge, and compulsory when requested by a client or for any journey in excess of €25. It is advised that you immediately notify this abuse by recorded delivery letter to the town hall issuing the taxi parking permit of the breach, so as to stamp out these practices.

I PAID THE SAME PRICE FOR THE SAME JOURNEY IN A TOP OF THE RANGE OR BOTTOM OF THE RANGE TAXI, BUT I HAVE BEEN REFUSED THE CHOICE OF VEHICLE. AM I NOT ALLOWED TO CHOOSE?

As tariffs are fixed by prefectoral decree, it is entirely normal to pay an identical price per kilometer for 2 taxis in the same region, for example in Grenoble. The type, brand and model of the vehicle does not have an influence on the final price. It is therefore absolutely normal to want to choose a premium vehicle, as we offer, over a lower range vehicle. We should indicate that clients are free to choose any vehicle they wish even if this does not please other drivers who may be in front of them, and contrary to what you may be told. (Decisions of the DGCCRF now the DIRECCTE).

I HAVE JUST TAKEN A TAXI WHO CALLED ME OVER AT THE RAILWAY STATION/AIRPORT BUT TEHRE WAS NO LIGHT ON HIS ROOF

This is a fraudulent practice. Even if the carrier is legitimate (in the best case scenario), it is prohibited (even for taxis) to solicit clients in this manner, whether in Grenoble or elsewhere, and any other personal transportation service is not allowed to pick up clients unless they were booked and can provide proof (SMS, email, letter, fax), and this is a crime. If the person is not a carrier, then it is a crime that carries serious punishment. Carrying passengers for payment is subject to strict authorisations and specific insurance is required. In case of an accident, you would not be covered. Always think of your safety.

I BOOKED A TAXI, BUT A ""PRIVATE"" CAR CAME, IS THIS LEGAL?

In France, there are various paid transportation means, and all have specific signposting (we will not discuss details of motorbike transportation here). If you have pre-booked your travel, and the price is not more than a taxi, the terms of transportation are identical to a taxi (individual, exclusive and private, with no other clients onboard), and we consider that there is no breach, and have perhaps even benefitted from an upgrade. But, at the very least you should have been informed. Here are the various transportation means:

• Taxis: there is a light on the roof, a meter and a registration plate fitted to the vehicle. The price may not be agreed in advance and a flat fee may not be accepted, nor may the price be higher than that on the meter (aside for any exceptions to which we have referred hereinabove).
• Chauffeur driver transport vehicles (VTC): Formerly known as Limousines Services, these vehicles do not have any markings aside for a sticker on the lower left side of the windscreen with the registration number with Transport Regulator which begins with EVTC. Prices are fixed and set out in advance. They (usually) represent elite personal road transportation services.
• Public passanger road transportation vehicles (TPRV): They can carry more or less than eight passengers, depending on the licence issued. They should display the contact details of the company on the vehicle as well as a label clearly displayed on the vehicle with their licence number. They are also often called coach companies or carriers. Their price is set out in advance, may be given as a flat fare or sold per seat. They are the only carriers permitted to carry over eight passengers.
• Light utility vehicles (VSL): vehicles intended for the transportation of seated patients only. They are easy to recognise thanks to the white colour with a blue star on the bonnet. We should indicate that only a taxi may pick you up without having been pre-booked, but only within the area where it is licenced. Various taxi types can be recognised by the different colours on the lights on their roof; in Grenoble these are yellow, and the commune is marked on top as well as beneath the rear registration plates, screwed beneath the registration plate (for Isère). If you get on board a taxi which has not been booked and which is licenced in another commune to that where you are being picked up, this is illegal. In pursuance with our general terms and conditions of sale, we may be led to carry you onboard other vehicles than our taxis, always ensuring strict compliance with regulations, and you will be notified at the time of the order or before pick-up and sufficiently in advance so as you can find an alternative means of travel if our proposal is not sufficient.