Poor road conditions adding to cost burden for UK taxi and private hire drivers
- Perry Richardson
- Aug 29
- 2 min read
Taxi and private hire drivers across the UK are facing mounting costs due to poor road surfaces, with vehicle damage from potholes and neglected routes now a growing concern for the trade.
Operators and cabbies are warning that years of inadequate road maintenance are not only creating safety issues but are hitting drivers financially, particularly those already struggling with high fuel prices, licensing fees and vehicle compliance costs.
Many working-class drivers, who rely on their vehicles for full-time income, are finding themselves forced to pay out for repeated repairs to tyres, suspension and wheels. In some cases, damage caused by potholes takes vehicles off the road entirely, costing drivers bookings and essential earnings.
In a recent Westminster debate, Cheshire MP Aphra Brandreth cited the case of a local taxi operator who reported rising repair bills and lost work due to the poor condition of roads in rural parts of her constituency. She said the driver had to cancel jobs when his vehicle was damaged, highlighting the wider impact on passengers and local mobility.
The issue is not confined to Cheshire. Reports from across the country suggest similar experiences in towns and cities where local authorities are struggling to maintain their road networks.
Industry representatives say the patch-up approach to potholes and surface defects fails to protect professional drivers, who often clock up far higher mileages than private motorists.
Small business groups have long called for a ring-fenced national repair fund for roads most used by taxis, private hire vehicles and other businesses. They argue that drivers are paying vehicle excise duty and other taxes, but are being let down by a lack of proper investment in the infrastructure they depend on.
With many drivers also navigating rising insurance costs and new vehicle upgrade requirements in clean air zones, the added pressure from repair bills is pushing some to the edge.
While councils maintain responsibility for local road upkeep, MPs from across the political spectrum are now urging ministers to look at how funding models and repair priorities could be overhauled to support those who rely on roads for their income.
For taxi and private hire workers already juggling tight margins, they continue to run the risk of paying the price not just in repairs, but in lost income and reduced reliability for their passengers.
