How ExpatRide classifies a market
Mode Index 2026.1
Every location in the planning tool carries one of three modes. Chauffeur market: a chauffeur is the default here; self-driving is not recommended. Self-drive market: the assignee drives here. Mixed market: both; self-driving after a local orientation. This page outlines how markets are classified, the data inputs used, and the review cycle.
Data inputs
- 1. The WHO estimated road traffic death rate per 100,000 population (Global status report on road safety 2023, 2021 estimates).
- 2. The US State Department travel advisory level and the UK FCDO travel advice for the country, at the dates shown below.
- 3. Local driving conditions and the availability of transportation for a newly arrived assignee.
- 4. ExpatRide's operational practice: what our drivers, partners and bookings in the market tell us about a newly arrived family driving themselves.
How it is made
We record a judgment for each city using road conditions, travel advice and our experience delivering transportation. In chauffeur markets, those inputs favor a chauffeur for newly arrived assignees. In self-drive markets, the assignee self-drives. Mixed markets allow self-driving after a local orientation. We record the reason when operational judgment differs from the public inputs.
The current classification
These are the current classifications for the 10 example locations, as read on the dates shown.
Scroll sideways for more columns
| Location | Mode | WHO road-death rate per 100,000 (2021) | US State Department level (date) | UK FCDO advice (date) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sao Paulo, Brazil | Chauffeur market | 15.7 | 2, some areas 4 (August 31, 2026) | against all but essential travel to parts (September 9, 2026) |
| Shanghai, China | Chauffeur market | 17.4 | 2 (September 4, 2026) | no advice against travel, mainland (August 27, 2026) |
| Hanoi, Vietnam | Chauffeur market | 17.7 | 1 (June 24, 2026) | no advice against travel (June 26, 2026) |
| Jakarta, Indonesia | Chauffeur market | 11.3 | 2, Papua provinces 4 (July 7, 2026) | against all travel to parts (September 10, 2026) |
| Bangkok, Thailand | Mixed market | 25.4 | 1, deep south 2 (July 7, 2026) | against all but essential travel to parts, deep south (June 30, 2026) |
| Mexico City, Mexico | Mixed market | 12.0 | 2 country headline, states 1 to 4 (May 29, 2026) | against all but essential travel to parts (September 11, 2026) |
| New York, United States | Self-drive market | 14.2 | issuing country | no advice against travel (August 18, 2026) |
| Amsterdam, Netherlands | Self-drive market | 3.4 | 2 (August 18, 2026) | no advice against travel (April 10, 2026) |
| London, United Kingdom | Self-drive market | 2.4 | 2 (September 9, 2026) | issuing country |
| Frankfurt, Germany | Self-drive market | 3.3 | 2 (May 13, 2025) | no advice against travel (April 10, 2026) |
Thailand shows why the rate alone is not the only factor: the highest road-death rate in the set, classified mixed because self-driving in Bangkok is workable after a local orientation. Modes are settled per city on the call.
The rates and advisories are the publishers' figures at those dates. The mode is ExpatRide's reading of them.
Review and versions
Mode Index 2026.1, published September 2026. Reviewed as the inputs change. The version number and date show the last review. Changes are listed here with the reason.
Change log: 2026.1, first published version.
Reuse
License: CC BY 4.0. Cite as: ExpatRide Mode Index 2026.1, [location], plan.expatride.com/plan/methodology, retrieved [date]. The index is indicative. It is an input to the risk assessment step of ISO 31030 (travel risk management) and does not replace an organization's own assessment.