Yes, in 2026, all vehicles—including taxis, private hire vehicles (Uber/Bolt), and private cars—must pay a drop-off fee to use the "Express Drop-Off" zones directly outside Gatwick Airport’s North and South terminals. As of January 2026, this fee has risen to £10 for a stay of up to 10 minutes. If a driver exceeds 10 minutes, they are charged an additional £1 per minute, up to a maximum of 30 minutes. Failure to pay the charge by midnight the following day results in a £100 Penalty Charge Notice (PCN). Taxi and ride-share drivers typically pass this cost onto the passenger, often adding it as a surcharge to the final fare. To avoid this £10 charge, drivers can use the "Long Stay" car parks, which offer two hours of free parking and a free shuttle bus to the terminals. This is a popular option for budget-conscious travelers or PCO drivers looking to minimize their operational costs while Gatwick continues to increase fees to manage terminal congestion and fund sustainable transport initiatives.