Do taxis in the UK take card?

In the UK, it's mandatory for taxis operating in London to take card payments. According to Transport for London (TfL), licensed taxis must have a TfL-approved card payment device installed which can print out a receipt of the fare if a passenger asks for one. Some smaller towns are making big steps forward, though.



Yes, in 2026, it is a legal requirement for all licensed taxis in major UK cities to accept card and contactless payments. In London, Transport for London (TfL) mandates that every "Black Cab" must be equipped with a fixed card payment device in the passenger compartment that accepts all major credit and debit cards, as well as mobile wallets like Apple Pay and Google Pay. In other large cities like Manchester, Birmingham, and Edinburgh, card acceptance is virtually universal. However, if you are traveling in very rural areas or small villages, some independent taxi drivers may still prefer cash or use a mobile payment link. It is always best practice to ask the driver "Do you take card?" before beginning your journey to avoid any awkwardness. For private hire vehicles (PHVs) booked through apps like Uber, Bolt, or Free Now, payment is handled entirely through the app, making the transaction completely cashless and seamless.

People Also Ask

All black cabs accept payment by credit or debit card without a surcharge. For a full list of fares, check out Transport for London's taxi fares information. You can tip taxi drivers as much as you like, but most people round up to the nearest pound.

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It's easier to handle and manage cash compared to other modes of payment. Cash payments are immediate and there is no need to wait for the payment to be processed. Some taxi drivers may prefer cash payments to avoid paying fees associated with card payments.

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The driver must accept credit/debit cards for any fare amount.

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All taxi drivers must accept card and contactless payments via the approved TfL fixed card payment device located in the passenger compartment and provide printed receipts for those payments upon request. Handheld payment devices do not meet the licensing requirements and are regarded as unapproved devices.

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Why do taxi drivers only take cash? Immediate payment: Cash payments provide immediate payment to the driver without any delay or potential chargebacks, unlike card payments which may be subject to processing times and potential chargebacks.

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Restrictions and Requirements
  • complete a driving skills assessment.
  • have a full UK or EU driving licence, held for at least 12 months, or 3 years if working in London.
  • pass background checks.
  • pass a medical check.
  • be over 18 but over 21 in some areas, including London.


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Taxi drivers can ask passengers to pay their fare at any point during a journey – even before the ride has begun. The biggest reason for this is to stop passengers leaving without paying or refusing to pay the full fare for a journey which, to be clear, is theft.

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In the U.K., it's typical to tip your cab driver. Usually, it's customary to round up to the nearest pound, but for a metered taxi ride, tipping 10 percent of the total fare would be acceptable. If you take a rural taxi or minicab, you might be charged a pre-agreed flat fare, which most people do not tip on.

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Tipping taxi drivers It is polite to tip 10 to 15% of the taxi fare for black cabs and licensed minicabs in London. However, most people simply round up the fare to the nearest £1 and tell the driver to keep the change.

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Taxis in London charge you using a taximeter that will calculate your fee based on the number of miles you travel or the number of seconds your journey takes.

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As a ballpark figure, average taxi fares are likely to cost somewhere between £1.20 to £3 per mile. But this will depend on the location, day of the week, time of day, and whether there are any special events or holidays taking place. You'll really need to refer to your local authority for more detail.

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How do taxi drivers learn the streets in their area? Many of them grew up in the area or have lived there for awhile so they know the streets simply from being a part of the community. Others, who have to learn on the job, simply pick it up from the many hours of driving the streets each week!

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If you don't want to talk, just say that when you get into the car, and you're done. You won't have to tell you don't want to chitchat as it won't even start. Usually, cab drivers just want to be nice and offer small talks. They think it can please the customer and maybe be rewarded with a bigger tip.

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Private hire vehicles must never stop or wait in taxi ranks, or the driver will be subject to a Penalty Charge Notice and potentially licensing action.

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The UK does not have an age limit for children riding a taxi alone, and children aged 12 and older are safe to ride alone. However, as a parent, you should still consider several factors before allowing your child to do so.

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You can't take children under 3 on an unexpected journey in a vehicle without the correct child car seat, unless both of the following apply: it's a licensed taxi or minicab. the child travels on a rear seat without a seat belt.

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The London Taxicard scheme provides subsidised door to door journeys in licensed taxis and private hire vehicles for London residents who have serious mobility or visual impairments. It is funded by the London boroughs and Transport for London and managed by London Councils on their behalf.

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The taxi app changed name as part of joining the wider-mobility international “NOW” brand family. The FREE NOW app will be operational in 100 cities across Europe, with 'match', the new taxi-sharing service being piloted across locations in Dublin, its first innovation for Irish passengers.

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For each trip you take in a cab with your taxicard, you will have to pay the first £1.50. The council will then pay up to £10.30. If the trip costs more than the total of these amounts - £11.80 - you will have to pay the extra. In other words, you will have to pay anything over £11.80, plus another £1.50.

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