What can I do if my taxi is smoky or the ride feels wrong?

At a glance

• For an app-booked car, match the driver and vehicle to the order before boarding and keep the completed ride record for a complaint.
• Shanghai’s official taxi guide says the receipt identifies details including the fare, pickup/drop-off times, driver licence information, distance and waiting time. [1]
• The same guide says taxis accept RMB cash; keep an accepted payment fallback rather than making an unsafe ride continue while an app fails. [1]
• If there is immediate danger, use the police emergency route; Shanghai publishes 110 for police and 120 for an ambulance. [2]

What to do next

1. Before boarding, use the official taxi queue or a traceable app booking, confirm the destination and identify the car. If smoke is a significant problem for you, ask for a non-smoking ride before getting in and choose another vehicle if needed.
2. If the driver starts smoking, make a clear, brief request to stop. Show the Chinese card below if language is the obstacle. Keep the request about the action you need rather than starting an argument about the driver.
3. If you are uncomfortable continuing, ask to stop at a safe, public place where you can get out with your belongings. Avoid stepping into moving traffic or requesting a stop on an expressway simply to leave sooner.
4. Once safely stopped, settle or record the fare through the agreed route, collect your bags and retain the receipt or app order. If you dispute a charge, keep the evidence for the operator rather than prolonging a confrontation in the car.
5. Report the problem through the ride’s official help or complaint channel with the time, vehicle, order number and a concise description. For a street taxi, use the operator details and receipt information so the ride can be identified.
6. Arrange the next leg from the safe location and update anyone waiting for you. If there is an immediate threat or an injury, ask nearby staff to help contact the appropriate emergency service first.

If your situation is different

The destination seems wrong: compare the ride’s destination with the Chinese address you saved. Ask the driver to stop safely while you resolve a wrong branch or map pin, then confirm any corrected fare or route before continuing.

A driver asks for an unexpected fixed fare: establish whether you booked a fixed-price service or took an ordinary taxi. Keep the quote/order or meter and receipt details, and ask the operator to resolve the disagreement afterwards.

Your phone battery is low: save the order information while you still can and keep the hotel’s Chinese address on another device or paper. Use a staffed public location for the replacement ride.

You are travelling with a child or someone with breathing difficulties: prioritise a suitable replacement vehicle and a calm stop. Arrange the group’s safety and belongings before spending time on the complaint.

Common mistakes

• Continuing an uncomfortable ride solely because you do not know how to explain the problem: use a short Chinese request and ask for a safe public stop.
• Getting out in an unsafe road position: wait for a suitable stopping place.
• Leaving without any way to identify the ride: keep the app order or taxi receipt and vehicle details.
• Arguing about compensation before leaving a threatening situation: reach safety first, then use the operator’s formal channel.

Quick questions