Sober driver service in Baku: how it works and how prices are set
With a sober driver service (Azerbaijani "ayıq sürücü"), when you can't drive because you have been drinking, are tired or unwell, a professional driver comes and takes you home — or wherever you need to go — in your own car. The car doesn't spend the night outside the restaurant and you don't break the law. The driver must hold a licence for your car's category — for a passenger car, that is category "B".
Short answer: Article 37 of the Law on Road Traffic prohibits driving while intoxicated and handing control to someone who is intoxicated or not licensed for that category. The price depends on distance, time, waiting and out-of-town travel; there is no single tariff. As of 22 September 2026, a search for "ayıq sürücü" on Prayk finds 4 listings; Taxi services has 25 listings and Towing services 18 (median stated price 15 AZN).
How does a sober driver service work?
- Booking: by phone, message or app you give your location, destination and car make.
- Driver arrives: usually by taxi, scooter or on foot — they won't be leaving in your car.
- Introduction and checks: the driver introduces themselves, you see their licence and inspect the car together.
- The trip: the driver drives your car while you ride along as a passenger.
- Handover: at the destination the car is parked, the keys are returned to you and you pay.
What does the law say?
Under Article 37 of the Law on Road Traffic, a driver must not drive under the influence of alcohol, drugs or other potent substances, medication that reduces alertness, or when ill, exhausted or tired. The same clause also prohibits handing control of the vehicle to anyone in that state or without the right to drive that category of vehicle. So when you book a sober driver, you are also responsible for who you hand your car to.
- Licence category: category "B" covers vehicles with a maximum authorised mass of up to 3,500 kg and no more than 8 seats besides the driver's. A minibus or truck needs a different category.
- Documents: Article 37 lists the documents a driver must carry: driving licence, the car's registration certificate and the compulsory insurance certificate; if the driver is not the owner, a document confirming the right to drive (a lease agreement, power of attorney, etc.). Ask in advance how the service handles this requirement.
- Insurance: under Article 53.4 of the Law on Compulsory Insurance, whoever the certificate is issued to, the third-party liability of anyone lawfully driving the car is covered by the car's compulsory policy. Whether your KASKO covers another driver depends on your contract — check the list of drivers.
How are prices set?
There is no state or industry-wide tariff — each service sets its own price. We don't publish a tariff table, because there are still few listings for this service on Prayk. Prices are usually shaped by:
- minimum order and zone: the starting price for a short trip in town;
- distance: a per-kilometre or per-zone surcharge;
- time: night hours and holidays;
- waiting: the time the driver waits for you after arriving;
- out-of-town trips: the driver's journey back may be included;
- extra stops and car type: stops on the way, a manual gearbox, a large vehicle.
As of 22 September 2026, a search for "ayıq sürücü" on Prayk finds 4 listings: two are service offers with starting prices of 10 and 15 AZN, and two are listings in which drivers state their age, experience and licence category. That is far too small a sample for a market price — agree the total in writing before booking: "in town, at night, waiting included — how much in total?"
Sober driver, taxi or tow truck?
On an evening when you can't drive, there are three realistic options. The choice depends on where you want the car to end up:
| Option | The car | Watch out for | On Prayk (22 Sep 2026) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sober driver | Arrives with you | Driver's licence, total price | 4 listings for "ayıq sürücü" |
| Taxi | Stays where it is; you return in the morning | Parking safety and fees | Taxi services: 25 listings |
| Tow truck | Carried on a platform | Correct securing of the car | Towing services: 18 listings, median 15 AZN (half 15–20 AZN) |
The 15–20 AZN in tow truck listings is usually an in-town starting price. The Driver services section has 21 listings, but the top ones are orders for buses and minibuses with a driver; there are no listings with the word "ayıq" in that section yet.
Safety: what to check
- Before booking: record the service name, driver's name, arrival time and total price in the chat — if there is a dispute, you have the agreement. Ways to contact sellers on Prayk: chat, call and WhatsApp.
- When the driver arrives: ask to see their licence and make sure the category fits your car and the person matches the listing.
- Before setting off: photograph the bodywork, fuel level and mileage. If you have a dash camera, check it is recording.
- On the way: follow the route on your phone and share your live location with someone close.
- Payment: on arrival. A request to transfer money to a card in advance can be a sign of fraud — protection against chat scams.
- Trust: look at the badges on the seller's profile — how seller badges are calculated.
How to find — or offer — a sober driver on Prayk
Search for "ayıq sürücü" and check each listing's city and service area. If nothing suitable comes up, post a "Looking for" listing saying where, when and where to — drivers will contact you (how it works).
If you provide this service, post your listing here in the Driver services section and include: the districts and hours you cover, your licence category and experience, and how the price is calculated (start, per kilometre, night, waiting). Customers choose on exactly this information, and with so few listings today, yours has a good chance of standing out in search.
Frequently asked questions
What is a sober driver service?
It is a service where, when you can't drive because you have been drinking, are tired or unwell, a professional driver comes and takes you home or to another address in your own car. You ride as a passenger and the car arrives at the destination with you.
What licence must a sober driver hold?
A driving licence for your car's category. For a passenger car that is category "B" (maximum authorised mass up to 3,500 kg, no more than 8 seats besides the driver's). Article 37 of the Law on Road Traffic prohibits handing control to someone without the right to drive that category.
Who pays if the sober driver has an accident?
Harm to others is paid from your car's compulsory insurance within the limits set by law: under Article 53.4 of the Law on Compulsory Insurance, the liability of anyone lawfully driving the car is insured. Damage to your own car depends on your KASKO contract and your agreement with the service — ask before booking.
How much does a sober driver cost?
There is no single tariff: the price depends on the in-town starting fee, distance, night time, waiting and out-of-town travel. As of 22 September 2026, a search for "ayıq sürücü" on Prayk finds 4 listings; the two service offers state starting prices of 10 and 15 AZN. Agree the total in writing before booking.
Sober driver or taxi — which makes more sense?
A taxi takes only you; the car stays put and you have to go back for it in the morning. A sober driver brings the car home too. If the car can safely stay overnight, a taxi is enough; if not, a sober driver or a tow truck is more convenient.
Sources and methodology
Legal information was checked on 22 September 2026 against official texts: the Law on Road Traffic (Article 37 and driving licence categories) and the Law on Compulsory Insurance (Article 53.4). This article is general information, not legal advice.
Prayk figures were taken from the public catalogue on 22 September 2026: a title search for "ayıq sürücü" — 4 listings (all reviewed); Driver services — 21 listings (a search for "ayıq" within it — 0); Taxi services — 25; Towing services — 18 listings (median and range from all of them). Sober driver listings are too few for a median price. We do not publish phone numbers of third-party services.