BILKING IN TAXIS: Legal position, police response and what drivers can do
- Perry Richardson
- 3 minutes ago
- 3 min read
Bilking, the act of making off without paying a taxi or private hire fare, remains a recurring issue for drivers across the UK, with cases regularly reported and prosecuted under criminal law rather than treated as civil debt disputes. For drivers, that distinction is critical, influencing how incidents are reported and pursued.
Under Section 3 of the Theft Act 1978, making off without payment is a criminal offence where a person, knowing payment on the spot is required or expected, dishonestly leaves without paying and with intent to avoid payment permanently. In the context of taxi and private hire journeys, this typically applies where a passenger exits a vehicle without settling the agreed fare.
Contrary to some misconceptions within the trade, bilking is not automatically a civil matter. While disputes over fare amounts or service quality can fall into civil territory, deliberate non-payment with intent to avoid settling the fare is a criminal offence. Police forces have consistently treated clear cases of fare evasion as criminal matters when sufficient evidence is available.
For drivers, the challenge often lies in proving intent. Officers will assess whether there is evidence that the passenger deliberately avoided payment, rather than simply being unable to pay or intending to return. In-vehicle CCTV and electronic booking records can strengthen cases by providing clear documentation of the journey and the passenger’s actions.
Industry concern persists as drivers face unpaid fares and questions remain over enforcement and prosecution routes
TaxiPoint has reported on numerous bilking incidents involving both hackney carriage and private hire drivers. In several cases, offenders have been traced using CCTV footage and registration details where journeys were pre-booked or involved linked addresses.
In one North Yorkshire case, police issued a public appeal after a passenger allegedly ran from a taxi following a journey to Scarborough in the early hours, asking witnesses to contact an officer directly.
Court outcomes underline that even relatively small fares can still lead to prosecution where the conduct is clear. In Chester, a 33-year-old man pleaded guilty to making off without payment and using threatening and abusive words after a dispute during a £15.90 journey back to the Mercure Hotel on 22 November. Magistrates fined him £266 and ordered compensation for the unpaid fare, plus a surcharge and prosecution costs.
Cases can also end with lower-level penalties, particularly where incidents involve drunkenness and disputes rather than violence, though they still result in criminal findings. A 23-year-old man was fined after being found guilty of dishonestly making off without payment following a £27 journey in Pembrokeshire, with magistrates ordering additional costs, compensation and a surcharge.
Sentences for bilking typically fall within the magistrates’ court jurisdiction. Penalties can include fines, compensation orders, community orders or, in more serious or repeated cases, custodial sentences. The severity will depend on factors such as the value of the unpaid fare, previous convictions and whether the incident formed part of wider offending behaviour.
There are also instances where bilking has been linked to broader criminal conduct. In certain cases, passengers who refused to pay fares were also found to be involved in theft, fraud or violent offences against the cabbie. Where threats or assaults accompany non-payment, charges can escalate beyond making off without payment, significantly increasing potential penalties.
From an operational perspective, drivers are advised not to place themselves at risk in attempting to prevent a passenger from leaving. The National Police Chiefs’ Council guidance has long emphasised that personal safety should take priority over fare recovery. Physical attempts to detain passengers can expose drivers to harm and potential legal consequences against themselves.
If a driver suspects bilking, the recommended course of action is to gather as much information as possible safely. This may include noting descriptions, recording vehicle registration numbers if accomplices are involved, and preserving CCTV footage. Prompt reporting to the police improves the likelihood of successful identification and prosecution.
Where journeys are pre-booked through licensed operators or app-based platforms, operators may assist in tracing passengers through account details. However, the legal route remains criminal where intent to permanently avoid payment can be shown.
Insurance policies generally do not cover unpaid fares, meaning drivers often bear the financial loss unless compensation is ordered by a court. This highlights the importance of prevention measures such as upfront payment systems, card payment facilities and visible CCTV signage, which can act as deterrents.
Some local authorities and police forces have worked with trade bodies to raise awareness of bilking as a criminal offence. In areas where targeted enforcement has followed reports of repeated incidents, drivers have reported improved confidence in reporting.
Ultimately, while the law is established, successful prosecution depends on evidence and clear demonstration of dishonest intent. For drivers and operators, maintaining accurate records, using in-vehicle recording systems where permitted, and reporting incidents promptly remain the most effective responses.
