Pay the Taxi Driver

Caleo

Cabbie21

Sometimes when you tap it you might see a message to insert your card. You then need to put in your PIN. It is not anything to worry about, just a routine occasional check.

But" tap " what?

You just 'tap' your card onto the card reader - it honestly couldn't be any simpler.

Taxis used recently here and in London and Paris all had card readers easy to tap.
You can use cash but I imagine most drivers prefer not to drive around with large amounts of cash on them and all those I have asked have preferred card payments.

Contactless is a tap with the card on the card reader (you physically tap the card onto the machine) , the taxi driver will show you where to tap although it is usually on the top of the machine.
Very occasionally contactless doesn't work and you will be asked to put your card in the machine and input the pin.
If you go on you tube there are many videos showing how contactless works.

Parsley says you "tap your PIN on the keyboard" Is that what you mean by "tap" ?

Cabbie21

Sometimes when you tap it you might see a message to insert your card. You then need to put in your PIN. It is not anything to worry about, just a routine occasional check.

But" tap " what?

Cash around here, probably card too.

I haven't met a taxi driver yet who doesn't take cash. They prefer it, in my experience.
The rest of the family pay by card or phone.

I regularly use taxis and always pay cash. It’s never a problem.

I always use Uber book on the app and pay by apple pay.
Fixed price so no shocks at the end of the journey.

If you want to give a tip add on after journey in the app.

I did check the information before replying to your post. Useful for others to see.

www.citizensadvice.org.uk/debt-and-money/borrowing-money/credit-cards/the-costs-and-charges-of-credit-cards/

Thank you Pittycity I rarely use taxis so was unaware of the passing on of the service charge being illegal.

Aldom

Lots of helpful advice already.
Just to add....I recently used a local taxi for a short journey.
I asked the driver if he preferred cash or card.
He told me for cash the fare was £10.
For card the fare would be £10.40 as he has to pass on the charge to the card company.
I paid cash.

It has been illegal in the UK since 2018 to charge more for paying by card unless it is a business card.

Any service charge must apply to all methods of payment.
A driver can be cash only. If they accept cards they can't charge you more and should be reported to Trading Standards.

Sometimes when you tap it you might see a message to insert your card. You then need to put in your PIN. It is not anything to worry about, just a routine occasional check.

I live in Bristol, so a pretty large city, and all the taxis here readily take cash. I catch taxis a lot and that's how I pay.

Caleo only black cabs have the sliding window, local taxis are just four door saloon cars.

It is the same machine whether you insert your card or tap on the top.

All cabs have the digital display of the price.

If you are going to ring to order a cab, please tell the dispatcher your concerns and if you would feel safer ask for a female driver.

GrannyGravy13

If you are spending under £100 you do not have to use your PIN if your card is contactless, sometimes they ask you to insert the card and put in your PIN as a random safety measure.

The taxi driver will give you machine, so if you have to use your PIN he will not see it.

The only time facial recognition is used is if you have an up to date iPhone or android with your cards stored on it. The phone will unlock when it sees your face. You then present the phone near to the device, and it takes payment from the card you have chosen.

Thanks for the info GG.

I suppose taxis still have sliding glass windows between the driver and the passenger. I wonder if he slides the window open then he tells me what I have to pay, or is that still printed on the sign above the dashboard.

Yes, the machine will have a slot where you insert your card and tap your pin on the keypad. My problem is making sure I know my pin as I am asked for it from time to time as a security measure.

Caleo

GrannyGravy13

Round here they take cash or card, their card machines are the same as anywhere else, you can use contactless or insert your card and put in your PIN number.

I don't know how to do contactless, or if my plastic card is up to date enough for contactless

You literally just tap the card on the card reader. Couldn't be simpler.

GrannyGravy13

Round here they take cash or card, their card machines are the same as anywhere else, you can use contactless or insert your card and put in your PIN number.

GG, does that mean taxis and shops have machines that do both, contactless AND insert a card?
Please remember I.am so out of touch I am like an alien when I am out

Caleo

GrannyGravy13

If your card has this little symbol on it it means that it is contactless Caleo

GG, my card does not have that wee blue symbol I just had a look at it. I wonder if I can still use it in any shop or taxi.

If it is still on date you can use it with your PIN number.

If you are spending under £100 you do not have to use your PIN if your card is contactless, sometimes they ask you to insert the card and put in your PIN as a random safety measure.

The taxi driver will give you machine, so if you have to use your PIN he will not see it.

The only time facial recognition is used is if you have an up to date iPhone or android with your cards stored on it. The phone will unlock when it sees your face. You then present the phone near to the device, and it takes payment from the card you have chosen.

GrannyGravy13

If your card has this little symbol on it it means that it is contactless Caleo

GG, my card does not have that wee blue symbol I just had a look at it. I wonder if I can still use it in any shop or taxi.

GrannyGravy13

If your card has this little symbol on it it means that it is contactless Caleo

Petra, I have asked my sons and they just answer i don't have to bother as I will be transported in their cars. This is very pleasant of course but I like to plan for emergencies like what if I have to get a taxi some time.

I did have a look at my plastic card. It is well within date.I use it regularly online

petra

Caleo
There is an expiry date on your card. Check that out. Having said that you should have been issued with a new one.
If you’re not sure how to use it ask a friend or family.

BTW when you are paying for goods in a shop do you still tap in the PIN even when it's contactless?

If you tap in a PIN in a taxi how is it the driver cannot see the PIN you are tapping on his key board?

If you pay by a contactless card does the machine recognise your face or the card or both?