Taxi fare receipt policy changed

From 1 January 2013 taxis will no longer be required to have electronic taxi meter receipt printers installed as a condition of the cab licence. In 2003, as part of a review of the Conditions of Fitness, Transport for London took the decision to require all London taxis to install taximeters which have the facility to issue printed receipts.

Following a number of representations from individual drivers and driver trade associations questioning the continued effectives and relevance of the mandatory electronic meter receipt policy, Transport for London has decided it is no longer an appropriate requirement. Although Transport for London is removing the mandatory requirement of a printed receipt, the requirement that drivers must provide a fare receipt on demand by a passenger remains.

However, drivers will now have a choice of how they meet this requirement which could be through issuing paper receipts or, if they prefer, still using an operational taximeter printer installed in their taxi. For credit and debit card transactions it is still a legislative requirement that a printed receipt is provided to the passenger and this obligation remains operating.