The Ultimate Guide to Following Taxi Etiquette in the UK

Lewis Taxis • 24 November 2022

Taxi drivers often go above and beyond to get their customers to their destinations quickly and comfortably, sometimes at unsociable hours on weekends.

Proper etiquette is a great way to show respect to your driver and thank them for their service.

Here is a guide to following taxi etiquette in the UK.

Do not eat anything during the ride

While you might not have had time to eat before your journey, you shouldn’t bring food into the taxi with you. Food can be messy and make the car smell which can make not only the driver uncomfortable but future passengers too.

Smells tend to linger, especially if food spills. If food spills, it could stain the upholstery as well, which costs the taxi company money and temporarily affects its reputation and business.

Take all your rubbish with you when you leave

Taking your rubbish with you after travelling in a taxi is essential. Leaving crumbs, food wrappers and dirty tissues can make both the driver and future customers uncomfortable and damage the reputation of the business.

So, even if you didn’t produce the rubbish, it’s a nice idea to take it with you to show respect to your driver.

Do not shout or get frustrated if traffic puts you behind schedule

Your driver can’t control traffic, accidents, construction or other obstacles. Your driver likely feels as frustrated as you do, so if you start shouting or becoming frustrated, you’ll only make his or her tension worse.

Be prepared

Whether your driver has five minutes or five weeks' notice to pick you up, it’s important to make sure you’re prepared.

If your driver only takes cash, make sure you have the right amount of cash beforehand - don’t assume they can drive you to a cashpoint en route.

Make sure you are at the pick-up spot early to avoid making your driver wait an unnecessary amount of time. Drivers follow a timely schedule and you being unnecessarily late could affect the rest of their customers.

Be honest

Don’t ever lie to your taxi driver. If you pre-order a taxi and promise to only have two people and two bags but show up with double or triple the amount, your driver might become flustered and frustrated.

Keep in mind that it’s illegal to overload a taxi and your driver won’t have to serve you if you’re not willing to be honest and law-abiding.