The Art of Riding a Cab

Today I was in a rush to get to the airport, I was in a cab that I ordered the night before.  The driver seemed fine even though he didn't call as promised upon arrival.  He asked which bridge I would like to take and went as direct.  When I got to the airport terminal, I paid cash for the ride and asked for $15 in change (including tips). The driver hesitated, counted some money and gave me a stack of bills and said, "Here you go, have a good trip." I looked at it and it was one $5 and five $1s.  "I need $15 and you gave me $10." I said.  The driver replied, "I don't have enough change, I've got some coins."  "Do you take credit card?" "No." "Well can you find changes?". Finally he got enough changes for me. 


This is probably one of the most typical complaints about cab drivers, there were longhauling, extra charges, no credit card tricks I've experience.  I want to share some here and show you how to get by it.  Don't get me wrong, I am not talking about all cab drivers; most of the drivers are honest and hard working. But there are some bad ones out there who ruin the vast majority's hard earned reputations who should be exacerbated.  The following are some examples of the common complaints and how to deal with them (applies to most of the taxi law in US, please check with local rules and regulations if you're traveling out of the US)

1. The scenic drive - If you are traveling, have a map or small GPS handy, try to figure out the estimate miles it takes to get to the destination before riding the cab.  One time the driver took 20 minutes just to go around the city for a 0.3mi drive, when paying, I gave him the exact change, he asked for tips and I said, "I was tracking the roads you took - you went over 2 miles for the short ride, can you justify this one instead?" The question stopped there.
2. No Change rule - Sit in the cab and ask him to get change. Most of them want to get you out and take other customers, you will get your change soon.  For NYC, the Taxi & Limousine Comission rule requires drivers to carry changes and be responsible for find changes for customers at no cost. On another note, carrying small changes always help in case you're in a hurry.  
3. Took the free tunnel/bridge but charged you for the toll (For Hire Drivers) - The driver might claimed that he took the toll bridge to pick you up, but you DO NOT need to pay for how he got there. I got this once.  The driver kept saying that the ride is paid for already. Ask him whether the company asked him to do that because normally this is not the case. If he says yes then you can dial the car company and demand them for the change, I guarantee that you will get the change back before your call goes through.
4. Not using the meter - the driver might suggest a fixed fare instead of the meter - because the traffic is always bad on the way to your destination.  The driver is saving you some money by ripping himself off.  Does it sound too good to be true? Decline the offer and get another cab.
5. Refusing to take you to a non-city neighborhood - because it takes a long time to come back to the city.  Sure we all know that the driver can make more staying in the city, but it is not right.  You have the right to write down the taxi registered number and make a compliant.  
6. Responsible for the toll for driver's return trip - this is not entirely wrong.  If you take a toll bridge/tunnel to a destination and the driver must take a toll bridge/tunnel and there are no other free options, then you will be responsible.  Otherwise you have no obligation to pay for the return trip toll.