How I Vet Local Fixers and Drivers Before Handing Them the Keys

I’ve needed local fixers for everything from navigating Lagos ports to scouting safe photo locations in Casablanca. The right fixer keeps you on schedule and out of trouble; the wrong one leaks intel or disappears with your gear. Here’s the sourcing and vetting pipeline I use so I trust the person behind the wheel—or the one bribing the port guard on my behalf.

Photo: Unsplash / Jed Villejo

Sourcing: Where Good Fixers Hide

1. Professional networks: Ask journalists, NGO staff, and security consultants already operating in the country. LinkedIn mutuals and Signal groups (like the Overseas Security Advisory Council) are gold mines.
2. Industry directories: ProductionHUB, WorldFixer, and Verified Africa list rated fixers with specialties (logistics, security, medical escorts).
3. Embassy/consulate lists: Some diplomatic missions maintain vetted driver lists. I request them when registering travel.
4. Coworking and expat communities: Slack channels, local nomad meetups, and subreddits often recommend driver services they’ve tested.

Screening Workflow

| Step | Criteria | Tools | | :-- | :-- | :-- | | Background | ID verification, police clearance, references | LexisNexis, local background check services, direct calls | | Capability | Language skills, vehicles, insurance, knowledge of checkpoints | Video interview, vehicle inspection video, insurance documents | | Reputation | Past client feedback, social media presence, review history | OSINT, testimonial verification | | Compliance | Licenses, permits, tax status | Request scanned certificates, verify with issuing authority |

Interview Questions

• “Describe the last urgent job you handled. What went sideways?”
• “How do you verify subcontractors or replacement drivers?”
• “What’s your protocol if police request cash on the road?”
• “Can you provide proof of commercial insurance?”

Contracts & Paperwork

• Master Services Agreement (MSA): Defines scope, confidentiality, liability, cancellation terms. I include clause for data privacy and prohibits sharing itinerary without consent.
• Statement of Work: Trip-specific details (dates, routes, equipment transport, contingencies).
• Payment milestones: 30/40/30 split (deposit, mid-project, completion). Payments via Wise or corporate card for audit trail—avoid cash.
• NDAs: Especially if they handle sensitive filming or corporate visits.
• Insurance: Request certificate listing me or my company as additional insured where possible.

Safety Controls

• Dual channel communication: All instructions confirmed via Signal plus email. Prevents “lost in translation” excuses.
• Live tracking: Drivers run Traccar or share Google Maps ETA updates. I monitor via operations dashboard.
• Buddy system: No single point of failure. I maintain one primary driver and one standby.
• Daily check-in: Short brief confirming routes, checkpoints, fuel, and any intel (protests, roadblocks).

Payment Security

• Use escrow (Escrow.com or vetted local escrow) for high-value projects.
• Avoid pre-paying full amount. Use milestone-based invoices with deliverables attached.
• Keep receipts and signed delivery notes for every payment. Photograph cash exchanges when unavoidable.

Evaluating Drivers Onsite

• Vehicle inspection: Check tires, brakes, seatbelts, first-aid kit, fire extinguisher. Snap photos.
• License & insurance: Physical documents in glove compartment? Validate expiry dates.
• Route rehearsal: Drive key segments in daylight before critical missions.
• Emergency drills: Walk through what happens if vehicle breaks down or police demand bribes.

Red Flags

• Refusal to provide references or documentation.
• Pressuring for cash upfront “to pay contacts.”
• Sharing other clients’ sensitive information (if they gossip about others, they’ll talk about you).
• Lack of contingency planning (“We’ll figure it out”).

Quick Vetting Checklist

[ ] Two trusted references reviewed
[ ] ID + license + insurance verified with issuing authorities
[ ] Contract & NDA signed; payment schedule set
[ ] Backup driver/fixer identified
[ ] Communications plan tested (Signal + phone backup)
[ ] Tracking and safety protocols agreed upon

Incident Response

If a fixer violates trust:

1. Document incident (screenshots, call logs, witness notes).
2. Stop all work and revoke access (shared docs, itinerary).
3. Notify clients and security team with incident summary.
4. Engage backup fixer and adjust schedule.
5. File complaints with local associations or directories to prevent others from being burned.

Building Long-Term Partnerships

When a fixer proves reliable, I formalize the relationship:

• Provide steady work pipeline and referrals.
• Offer training (security awareness, digital hygiene).
• Conduct annual review, adjust rates for loyalty.

Local partners make or break travel projects. Invest the time to vet them like you would a key employee. When the next shoot, site visit, or crisis task hits your calendar, you’ll have someone trustworthy waiting curbside—engine idling, paperwork in order, ready to move.