Taxi Cleaning Advice

Cleaning the interior of your taxi, minibus or private hire vehicle

Follow these guidelines on how to clean your car interior to reduce the risk of spreading coronavirus (COVID-19)

Your safety

• Always wear PPE - this includes face mask, disposal gloves and a disposable apron if available. If you touch the face mask when cleaning, wash or disinfect your hands.
• Have a plastic bag available to dispose of your PPE after use and any rubbish, tissues etc you might find when cleaning. Seal the bag and place in your dustbin.
• Wash your hands with soap and water for 20 seconds or use a hand sanitiser with a minimum 60% alcohol content when finished cleaning and clearing away.

Cleaning and disinfection

• Clean first then disinfect, or use a standard combined cleaner/disinfectant product.
• Use disposable cloths, wipes or paper towels.
• Take great care - some cleaning products may damage the interior of your vehicle. Always check labels to ensure the product can be used without causing damage. If cleaning first, soap and warm water, washing up liquid and other household detergents can be used in some areas, but avoid excess suds and water, and scrubbing.
• Then use a disinfectant, always checking it's safe for use on the interior surfaces. Remember, alcohol-based products are generally safe but bleach-based products can cause damage. Alternatively use a combined cleaner/disinfectant spray
• or wipes.
• Steam cleaning systems and spray systems may prove useful in your vehicle. Always follow the manufacturer's instructions.

Remember - always carry an alcohol-based hand sanitiser so you can wash your hands frequently during your shift

Touchpoints                                                                       

Always focus cleaning on areas touched most frequently:

• External door handles
• Boot or luggage compartment handle
• Everything within the front cabin, steering wheel, control stalks, switches, info touchscreen, gear lever, hand brake, internal door releases, sun visors, storage compartments and cup holders, central console, arm rests, USB sockets, contactless payment unit
• Everything within the rear passenger section
• Seat belts, clips and adjusters
• All seats, plus adjustment controls head rests and any pockets, child seats and restraints
• Floor area - removable floor mats can be taken out, cleaned, disinfected, allowed to dry and replaced. Carpets can be lightly cleaned using a suitable shampoo.

If using a boot or luggage compartment clean and disinfect.

Don't forget your car keys, key cards and any portable device which is used in the vehicle.

Keep it clean throughout the day

Always carry safe-for-use disinfectant wipes, sprays, disposable clothes and PPE and a disposable plastic bag to store personal waste.

After each customer, clean your vehicle thoroughly using wipes or disinfectant spray. Target the surfaces your customers are likely to touch, such as door handles and seat belt clips.

Clean the areas of the vehicle you touch regularly throughout the day, and always at the start and end of each shift.

If you share your vehicle with another driver, clean the inside thoroughly ready for the next driver.

Store any personal waste, tissues and cleaning wipes and rubbish in disposable rubbish bags. Carefully dispose at the end of the shift.

If your vehicle may have been used by someone displaying COVID-19 symptoms or a confirmed case, the interior should be very thoroughly cleaned. If this isn't possible, the vehicle should be left parked up and not used for a minimum of 72 hours.

Document Source - Norfolk County Council