Should taxi drivers be allowed to refuse cash payment fares to known high-risk bilking areas?
- Perry Richardson
- Sep 15
- 3 min read
Bilking incidents have always affected taxi drivers across the UK, and there is growing discussion within the industry about whether licensed drivers should be given the right to refuse cash payments in certain areas or at certain times of day.
Taxi drivers, particularly those working evenings, are always mindful about fare dodging. In many of these cases, passengers disappear without paying, often under the cover of darkness or in areas where CCTV coverage is limited. One of the most common patterns noted by drivers is when the passenger insists on paying cash but then runs off at the destination before handing over any money.
Some drivers would welcome clearer rules allowing them to refuse cash hails and insist on upfront cash or card payments in what they consider to be high-risk circumstances. While many local licensing authorities allow drivers to request fares up front, there is currently no uniform rule that gives drivers the right to refuse a journey based solely on the passenger’s desire to pay at the end of the journey or where they are heading.
Drivers of hackney carriages, which can be hailed from the street or ranks, are generally required to accept a journey within their licensed district unless there is a reasonable excuse. Refusing a fare based on payment method could potentially be viewed negatively by licensing officers and cause suspicion of fare evasion.
Private hire drivers, however, can accept or decline bookings made through an operator. This gives them slightly more control over the conditions of each job, including how payment is taken.
In areas where bilking is becoming more frequent, some councils have started to advise drivers to ask for payment up front to reduce losses. But for hackney carriage drivers, this can be difficult to enforce in practice, especially when picking up street hail fares or working busy ranks.
Technology changing the way payments are made
The use of contactless card machines in taxis has grown significantly over the last decade. In London, for example, all black cabs are required to accept card payments, and the card reader must be accessible to the passenger. This has led to a drop in fare evasion linked to cash transactions.
Outside the capital, the situation is less consistent. Not all licensing authorities mandate card payment facilities. As a result, some passengers continue to use cash as the only payment option.
Drivers equipped with card machines often report fewer disputes over fares, quicker transactions and a reduced risk of bilking given the passenger doesn’t need to leave the vehicle for a cash machine. However, uptake is still varied across the UK, with some drivers citing the cost of card transaction fees or poor mobile signal as reasons for sticking with cash.
What would a policy look like?
If councils or licensing bodies were to explore a formal policy allowing drivers to refuse cash, it would need to be clearly defined and compliant. Key areas that would need to be considered include:
Whether refusal is allowed only at certain times (e.g. after 10pm)
If it applies only to certain geographical areas
Whether drivers would need to display signage indicating payment up front if asked
How to manage passengers without access to card payments.
There are also concerns around discrimination and fairness. Any policy would need to ensure that passengers without bank accounts or those who rely on cash are not unfairly excluded from transport services. A blanket refusal of cash could raise issues of accessibility, especially in more deprived areas.
The taxi industry is evolving, but the issue of fare evasion has always been a prominent risk. With safety and financial security at the forefront of the trade’s concerns, the ability to refuse some passengers in high-risk circumstances might gain support among some drivers.
If implemented properly, and with safeguards for vulnerable passengers, such a policy could help reduce bilking, protect driver income and offer a clearer process for handling payments in areas where risk is higher.
But any changes must be carefully considered, with input from drivers, licensing authorities and passenger advocacy groups to ensure fairness and consistency.
