.jpg)
Could London taxi drivers renting a black cab be asked to PAY FOR THEIR TYRE USAGE in the future?
- Perry Richardson
- 42 minutes ago
- 2 min read
Some London taxi drivers renting black cabs could reportedly being asked by some fleet operators to supply their own tyres, raising questions over maintenance responsibilities, rental terms and potential wear charges.
Writing in the Licensed Taxi Drivers’ Association’s (LTDA) TAXI newspaper, the “Cab You Drive” columnist said they had been told that “one or two fleets that rent cabs out” want drivers to provide their own tyres.
The experts claim suggests a potentially significant change to the traditional taxi rental arrangement, under which fleet proprietors have typically retained responsibility for maintaining the vehicle and replacing parts subject to ordinary wear.
The columnist questioned how such a system would work in practice, including whether operators would measure tyre tread depth when a driver takes possession of a cab and again when it is returned.
They wrote: “So, how does that work, exactly? I rent a cab from them, they then measure the tyre depth, both before and after I have the cab, and then charge me a tyre wear surcharge?”
The article also raised concerns that similar charges could eventually be introduced for other consumable or wear-related items. The columnist asked whether brake wear, suspension components or damage to seat fabric could become the basis for additional payments by renters.
No fleet operators were named, and the report did not provide copies of rental agreements or details of the proposed contractual terms. It is therefore unclear how widespread the practice may become or how liability would be divided where tyre wear resulted from vehicle defects.
The reported development comes as taxi fleet owners face continued pressure from vehicle costs, maintenance bills and a shrinking pool of available cabs.
Tyre prices have become more competitive than in previous decades, with the column noting that new TXE tyres were being advertised by one Chingford supplier from £78. However, transferring responsibility to renters could still expose drivers to unpredictable costs, particularly those using a vehicle for limited shifts or sharing it with other drivers.
The article contrasted the policy with historic fleet practices. London rental garages once painted taxi wheels in distinctive colours, allowing vehicles and their regular drivers to be quickly associated with a particular proprietor. Colour-coded wheels also helped prevent tyres from being exchanged when replacements were substantially more expensive and supply was controlled by relatively few manufacturers.
If this practice were to arrive in the industry there would likely be uproar from drivers. Most cabbies would likely favour the maintance of tyres incorporated within the weekly rental fee charged instead of adding further costs and admin.
