Yes, all licensed London black cabs are legally required to accept contactless and card payments. Since 2016, Transport for London (TfL) has mandated that every taxi must be equipped with a functional card terminal in the passenger compartment. This includes major credit and debit cards (Visa, Mastercard, American Express) as well as mobile wallets like Apple Pay and Google Pay. There is no extra surcharge for paying with a card; you simply pay the amount shown on the meter. While cash is still accepted, most drivers and passengers now prefer the speed and security of a "tap." If a driver claims their machine is broken, they are technically not supposed to be in service, so it is a good idea to confirm at the start of the trip if you don't have cash. Most cabs also have a sticker on the window indicating their card-acceptance status for peace of mind.