How to Choose a Vehicle Hire with Driver Company: Licences, Insurance and Contract Checklist
Besides price, which documents should you check when choosing a coach, minibus or transfer company? A checklist for operator licences, SRC, psychotechnical reports, seat insurance and written quotes.
In group transport, choosing the right company does not just mean finding the best price. Passenger safety and a smooth travel day depend on the company’s legal documents, the condition of its vehicles and the clarity of its communication. The checklist below summarises what to look at when comparing quotes.
Note: Regulations change from time to time. For the current types of documents and obligations, rely on announcements from Türkiye’s Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure.
1. Operator licence
Companies carrying passengers for payment must hold an operator licence issued by the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure. For non-scheduled commercial passenger transport such as tourism, excursions and transfers, B2 (domestic and international) or D2 (domestic) licences are generally used; there are separate licence types for shuttle services. Do not hesitate to ask the company which licence the transport will be carried out under.
2. Driver documents: SRC and psychotechnical report
In addition to their driving licence, drivers who carry passengers professionally must hold an SRC professional competence certificate and a valid psychotechnical assessment report. The SRC shows professional competence, while the psychotechnical report shows skills such as attention and reflexes; one does not replace the other.
3. Compulsory seat personal accident insurance
In road passenger transport, the carrier must take out compulsory seat personal accident insurance for passengers and the driver. Passengers may not be carried in a vehicle without this insurance. It is separate from compulsory traffic insurance.
4. Vehicle condition
- Is its inspection up to date?
- Is the number of seats on the proposed vehicle’s registration enough for your group?
- On long journeys, are air conditioning, seat belts and luggage space adequate?
- Can a replacement vehicle be provided in the event of a breakdown?
5. A written, itemised quote
A reliable quote states in writing the vehicle class, capacity, dates and times, route, the items included and not included in the price, and the payment and cancellation conditions. A single figure given on the phone is not suitable for comparison because its scope is unclear. We list the items to look for in a quote in this article and contract clauses in this one.
6. Communication and coordination
- Are your questions answered clearly and promptly during the quote process?
- Is there a contact person you can reach on the travel day?
- Are driver and vehicle details shared before the journey?
7. Reviews and references
The experiences of people and organisations who have used the service before give you an idea. When reading reviews, look at recurring common points rather than individual extremely positive or negative comments.
Warning signs
- Avoiding giving a written quote
- Accepting more passengers than the capacity
- Not giving clear answers to questions about documents
- A price far below the market with an unclear scope
You can send your questions via our contact page or request a written quote for your journey.
