Yes, they do. Every licensed London black cab must accept credit and debit cards. That’s been the rule since 2016, so you don’t need to worry about carrying bundles of cash to get across the city. You can even tap with your phone or watch to pay.
Paying by card in a London taxi is quick and simple:
The machine is fixed in the passenger area, so your card never leaves your hand. That makes it safer and easier.
London taxis accept most popular cards:
Cash is still accepted too, but most people find card quicker and more convenient.
No. By law, drivers cannot add a fee for card payments. The amount you see on the meter is exactly what you’ll pay, whether you use cash or card.
Drivers must make sure their card machine is working before they start work. If it isn’t, the cab shouldn’t be out on the road.
If you do find yourself in a taxi with a broken machine, the driver should tell you before you set off. You can also choose to hop out and take another cab if you’d rather not deal with the hassle.
For years, black cabs only took cash. Tourists and Londoners often had to dash to the nearest cashpoint before getting a ride.
That changed in October 2016, when Transport for London made it the law for every licensed taxi to accept card and contactless. The rule came in after most people in a public survey said they wanted the option to pay by card.
Private hire vehicles (like minicabs you pre-book) also accept card payments, but it often works differently. With apps like Uber, Bolt, or Free Now, you add your card details to the app and pay automatically at the end of the trip.
If you book a minicab over the phone, ask when booking how you can pay – most operators will accept card either in advance or in the car.
Yes. You can add a tip on the card machine, or simply tell the driver how much you’d like to pay in total. Many people round up to the nearest pound. Tipping is optional – there’s no set rule.
If you’re new to London, here are some handy things to know:
Sometimes things don’t go smoothly. Here’s what you might come across and what to do:
It’s good to know where you stand:
Yes – every licensed black cab in London must take credit and debit cards. Paying this way is quick, safe, and costs no more than cash. Whether you’re off to the airport, heading out sightseeing, or simply getting home, you can rely on card payments to work.
Disclaimer: We make every effort to ensure content is correct when published. Information on this website doesn't constitute financial advice, and we aren't responsible for the content of any external sites.
Fiona is a personal finance writer with over 7 years’ experience writing for a broad range of industries before joining Ocean in 2021. She uses her wealth of experience to turn the overwhelming aspects of finance into articles that are easy to understand.
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