As a self-employed taxi driver or a fleet owner, providing convenient payment options for your passengers is essential in today's fast-paced world. In an era where digital transactions are becoming the norm, having a reliable card machine can significantly enhance your customer experience and help boost your earnings. In this comprehensive guide, we'll walk you through the top choices for card machines that cater specifically to taxi drivers and private hire cabs in the UK. Whether you're a black cab driver in London or a private hire taxi owner outside the city, we've got you covered with the best options available.

The Importance of a Card Machine for Taxi Drivers

In an increasingly cashless society, offering card payment options is no longer a luxury but a necessity for taxi drivers. Passengers expect the convenience of paying with their cards, whether it's a contactless payment or chip and PIN transaction. This not only improves the overall passenger experience but also ensures that you don't miss out on potential fares due to payment limitations.

SumUp Air: Affordable and Versatile

Our Rating: ★★★★☆

Key Features:

• No monthly fee
• Fixed transaction fee of 1.69%
• Accepts a wide range of cards, including contactless and mobile wallets
• Easy-to-use SumUp mobile app
• Quick payment clearance within 1-3 working days

SumUp Air emerges as an excellent choice for taxi drivers seeking affordability and functionality. With a one-time upfront cost of £39 + VAT, and no contractual commitment or monthly fees, it's a budget-friendly solution that doesn't compromise on features. SumUp's 1.69% fixed transaction fee remains consistent for all accepted cards, making it suitable for both domestic and international transactions.

The SumUp Air card reader seamlessly integrates with the SumUp mobile app, utilizing your device's 3G or 4G network to process payments. This user-friendly app allows you to perform various tasks, from adding VAT to viewing past transactions. Additionally, you can send payment links and accept QR code payments, enhancing your payment flexibility.

One of SumUp's standout features is its quick payment clearance, ensuring your hard-earned fares reach your bank account within 1-3 working days. If you opt for the SumUp Business Account and Mastercard, you can access your funds even sooner, including weekends.

SumUp's extensive acceptance of cards, including major credit and debit cards, as well as mobile wallets like Apple Pay and Google Pay, positions it as an ideal choice for taxi drivers catering to a diverse range of passengers. The consistent transaction rate across all card types, without discriminatory surcharges, further adds to its appeal.

SumUp Air: A Closer Look

SumUp Air is designed to provide taxi drivers with a hassle-free payment solution that maximizes convenience for both you and your passengers. The sleek and compact card reader connects to your mobile device, allowing you to process payments anytime, anywhere. Its ease of use is further enhanced by the intuitive SumUp app, which streamlines the payment process and offers additional features like digital receipts and payment links.

In terms of card compatibility, SumUp Air ensures you're well-equipped to accept various payment methods. This is particularly advantageous if you frequently serve tourists or passengers with diverse payment preferences. Whether it's a contactless tap or a chip and PIN transaction, SumUp Air has you covered.

A notable advantage of SumUp Air is its consistent transaction fee, regardless of the card type. This simplicity eliminates the need to calculate different rates for different cards, making accounting and financial planning much easier for taxi drivers.

To further cater to your needs, SumUp offers the option to connect a compatible receipt printer via Bluetooth, allowing you to provide paper receipts to your passengers when required. This is especially useful for passengers who prefer a physical record of their transactions.

myPOS Go: Seamless and Feature-Rich

Our Rating: ★★★★☆

Key Features:

• No monthly fee
• Rates from 1.1% + 7p
• Inbuilt SIM card for independent operation
• Immediate payouts to e-money account
• Ideal for both urban and rural taxi operations

myPOS Go stands out as a versatile solution for taxi drivers who value flexibility and comprehensive features. With an upfront cost of £39 + VAT and various rate options starting from 1.1% + 7p, myPOS Go offers a balance between affordability and functionality. Its compact size and inbuilt SIM card make it a suitable choice for taxi drivers working in urban areas as well as rural locations.

The myPOS Go terminal operates independently through its inbuilt SIM card, ensuring that you can process payments regardless of your location. This is particularly advantageous for taxi drivers who frequently operate in areas with varying network coverage.

One of myPOS Go's standout features is its immediate payout to an e-money account. This means that your earnings are accessible without delay, providing you with quick access to your funds. Additionally, myPOS offers the convenience of a Business Visa card linked to your e-money account, allowing you to make transactions and payments seamlessly.

myPOS Go: A Closer Look

myPOS Go is designed with the modern taxi driver in mind, providing a reliable and user-friendly payment solution. Its compact size allows for easy integration into your taxi's interior, and the inbuilt SIM card ensures that you're always connected for payment processing.

One of the key advantages of myPOS Go is its flexibility in transaction rates. The rates are determined by factors such as the type of card and its origin, allowing you to tailor the rates to your specific customer base. This flexibility can be especially beneficial for taxi drivers who serve a diverse range of passengers.

The myPOS Go terminal's independence from external devices ensures that you're not reliant on a specific smartphone or tablet for payment processing. This autonomy can be crucial in situations where your personal device is unavailable or experiencing technical issues.

For taxi drivers who prefer a more advanced terminal, myPOS offers the myPOS Carbon model, which comes with additional features and capabilities. This option is especially attractive if you're looking to enhance your taxi service with innovative tools and apps.

CabCard Pocket 3G Terminal: Dedicated and Reliable

Our Rating: ★★★★☆

Key Features:

• No monthly fee
• 1.5%-2.5% rates + 5p
• Dedicated support with 24/7 availability
• TfL-approved for London taxis
• Tailored packages for taxi fleets

CabCard Pocket 3G Terminal caters specifically to the needs of taxi drivers, offering a reliable and tailored solution. With an upfront cost of £99 + VAT and rates ranging from 1.5% to 2.5% plus 5p, CabCard Pocket 3G Terminal provides competitive pricing combined with dedicated support available around the clock.

This terminal is TfL-approved for London taxis, ensuring that you meet the city's regulatory requirements for card payment machines in your vehicle. For taxi fleet owners, CabCard offers flexible packages that allow you to spread the cost of hardware over a contract term.

CabCard Pocket 3G Terminal: A Closer Look

CabCard Pocket 3G Terminal stands out as a dedicated solution for taxi drivers who prioritize reliability and compliance. Its TfL approval makes it a suitable choice for London black cabs, ensuring that you adhere to the city's regulations for card payment terminals.

The terminal's 3G connectivity ensures seamless and consistent payment processing, even in areas with varying network coverage. This reliability is crucial for taxi drivers who operate in different parts of the city, including areas with potential network challenges.

CabCard's dedicated support, available 24/7, provides peace of mind for taxi drivers who may encounter technical issues or have questions about their terminal. This level of support ensures that you can continue to offer uninterrupted payment services to your passengers.

For taxi fleet owners, CabCard offers tailored packages that cater to your specific needs. Whether you're looking to equip multiple vehicles with card payment terminals or manage transactions across your fleet, CabCard provides solutions that streamline your operations.

Viva Wallet Black Cab Solution: Innovative and Flexible

Our Rating: ★★★★☆

Key Features:

• Works with Viva Wallet app
• Accepts cards offline
• No contractual lock-in
• Flexible pricing options, including a 0% fee option
• Ideal for both black cabs and private hire cabs

Viva Wallet Black Cab Solution offers an innovative approach to card payment processing for taxi drivers. With features such as offline card acceptance and flexible pricing options, Viva Wallet provides a solution that caters to both black cab drivers and private hire taxi operators.

The Viva Wallet app facilitates seamless payment processing, and the ability to accept cards offline ensures that you can continue serving passengers even in areas with limited network connectivity. With no contractual lock-in and multiple pricing options, Viva Wallet offers flexibility that suits various business models.

Viva Wallet Black Cab Solution: A Closer Look

Viva Wallet's approach to card payment solutions is marked by innovation and adaptability. The Viva Wallet app streamlines payment processing, allowing you to enter transactions through your smartphone and send them to the card reader in the passenger compartment. This eliminates the need for a physical point of sale terminal within your vehicle.

The offline card acceptance feature sets Viva Wallet apart from many other solutions. If you frequently operate in areas with weak network signals, this feature ensures that you can accept card payments regardless of connectivity. Once a live internet connection is established, transactions are completed and funds are settled in your online Viva Wallet business account.

Viva Wallet's pricing options provide significant flexibility. Whether you choose to pay an upfront cost for the card reader or opt for a monthly subscription fee, the choice is yours. Additionally, the possibility of a 0% fee option when using the Viva Debit Card for your business expenses is an innovative and appealing feature.

The Viva Wallet Black Cab Solution is suitable for both black cab drivers and private hire operators, making it a versatile choice for taxi drivers with varying operational models.

Zettle Reader: Stylish and Efficient

Our Rating: ★★★★☆

Key Features:

• No monthly fee
• Fixed card rate of 1.75%
• Accepts a wide range of cards, including premium and foreign cards
• Mobile app interface for seamless payment processing
• Bluetooth receipt printer option available

Zettle Reader, previously known as iZettle Reader, offers a stylish and efficient card payment solution for taxi drivers. With a one-time cost starting from £29 + VAT and a fixed card rate of 1.75%, Zettle Reader combines affordability with a feature-rich experience.

The Zettle Reader's ability to accept a wide range of cards, including premium and foreign cards, ensures that you can cater to various passenger preferences. The mobile app interface simplifies payment processing, and the option to connect a Bluetooth receipt printer enhances your service's professionalism.

Zettle Reader: A Closer Look

Zettle Reader's sleek design and user-friendly interface make it an attractive option for taxi drivers seeking an elegant payment solution. The card reader's compact size allows for handheld operation, making it suitable for taxi drivers who prioritize convenience.

The fixed card rate of 1.75% eliminates the need for complex fee calculations, ensuring transparency and predictability in your payment processing costs. The acceptance of premium and foreign cards at the same rate as standard cards is a significant advantage, especially for taxi drivers serving diverse passenger profiles.

The mobile app interface of Zettle Reader simplifies the payment process. You can easily enter transaction amounts in the app and process payments through the card reader. Additionally, the app offers features like digital receipts, payment links, and QR code payments, enhancing your payment flexibility.

For taxi drivers who prefer to provide paper receipts, Zettle offers the option to connect a Bluetooth receipt printer. This feature adds a professional touch to your service, making it suitable for passengers who prefer physical receipts for their transactions.

Takepayments: Reliable and Customizable

Our Rating: ★★★★☆

Key Features:

• Choice of Ingenico card terminals
• Inbuilt SIM card for independent operation
• Built-in receipt printer for added convenience
• 12-month contract with flexible pricing
• Tailored plans for black cab drivers and private hire operators

Takepayments offers a reliable and customizable solution for taxi drivers through a range of Ingenico card terminals. With options for both black cab drivers and private hire operators, Takepayments ensures that you can choose a solution that aligns with your specific needs.

The built-in SIM card enables independent operation, allowing you to process payments regardless of network availability. Additionally, the built-in receipt printer and various pricing plans further enhance the convenience and flexibility of Takepayments' offerings.

Takepayments: A Closer Look

Takepayments stands out as a reliable provider of card payment solutions for taxi drivers. The option to choose from various Ingenico card terminals ensures that you can select a model that suits your preferences and operational requirements.

The inbuilt SIM card within Takepayments' card terminals guarantees consistent connectivity, enabling you to accept payments even in areas with fluctuating network coverage. This reliability is crucial for taxi drivers who need to provide seamless payment experiences to their passengers.

The built-in receipt printer adds a layer of convenience to your service. Passengers who prefer physical receipts can receive them directly from the terminal, enhancing the overall customer experience.

Takepayments' 12-month contract and flexible pricing plans cater to different business models. Whether you're a black cab driver or a private hire operator, you can find a plan that aligns with your needs. Additionally, the option to accept American Express and the availability of round-the-clock customer support further contribute to Takepayments' appeal.

GB Pay: Effortless Transactions, Exceptional Value

As we explore card payment solutions, it's imperative to introduce GB Pay, a distinguished player in this arena.

Key Attributes:

• No hardware costs
• No monthly fees
• Only a nominal transaction fee of 2%
• Simplified payment experience for taxi drivers and passengers

GB Pay distinguishes itself through its commitment to affordability and ease of use. With no hardware costs and no monthly fees, GB Pay offers taxi drivers an economical solution that aligns with their operational needs. The nominal transaction fee of 2% ensures exceptional value for both drivers and passengers, making every payment experience seamless and straightforward.

Can You Pay by Card in a Taxi?

Yes, many taxi drivers in the UK now offer card payment options to their passengers. This shift towards card payments is driven by the changing preferences of passengers who find it more convenient to pay with cards rather than cash. As a result, a wide range of card payment solutions have emerged to cater to the needs of taxi drivers and their passengers.

Do Taxi Drivers Have to Have a Card Machine?

While there isn't a legal requirement for all taxi drivers in the UK to have a card machine, the increasing demand for card payment options has prompted many taxi drivers to invest in card payment solutions. Offering card payment options can lead to higher customer satisfaction and more business opportunities, as passengers often prefer the convenience and security of paying with cards. Moreover, having a card machine can also help taxi drivers attract a broader range of passengers, including those who prefer not to carry cash.

Conclusion

As a taxi driver, your ability to offer convenient and secure payment options is crucial to your passengers' satisfaction. The array of card payment solutions discussed in this article provides diverse options for taxi drivers across the UK. Whether you prioritize affordability, reliability, innovation, or a combination of these factors, there's a solution that can elevate your payment processing capabilities.

Explore the features and benefits of each solution, and consider how they align with your operational preferences. By selecting a card payment solution that meets your needs, you can enhance your passengers' experience and ensure seamless transactions on every journey.

Remember that the world of card payment solutions is dynamic, with new advancements and offerings continually emerging. Staying informed about the latest developments in payment technology can help you make informed decisions and provide the best possible service to your passengers.