POS System: Glasgow Taxi Card Machine Quote
Start taking card payments in your taxi for Glasgow City Council's Coming Regularity Plans.
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Introduction – The Shift Towards Card Payments for Glasgow Taxis
- This grade will teach you about the decision that was made on December 3rd, 2025, when the committee in Glasgow council got together and gave a date for the 1st of June 2026 on why you'll need a card payment machine.
- This guide will highlight what drivers need, how to get started, how to find the right card processor, how to get the card machine installed in your taxi, and everything you need.
- And when you're ready, we can help you find a good point-of-sale system, free software, and get a nice 25 quid, 35 quid card machine so you can work it through both through your phone. It doesn't cost much to install.
- Maybe the black taxis might cost a little bit more because you have to professionally install it in the back without even passing the machine to the customer. But we'll tell you all about that.
Overview of Taxi Types and Licensing in Glasgow
Overview of Taxi Types and Licensing in Glasgow
Glasgow operates two main categories of licensed hire vehicles: traditional Black Cabs (also known as Taxis or Hackney Carriages) and Private Hire Cars (PHCs). Black Cabs can be hailed on the street or picked up at ranks, while Private Hire Cars must be pre-booked only (via phone, app, or office). Both are regulated by Glasgow City Council under the Civic Government (Scotland) Act 1982, with strict requirements for driver fitness, vehicle standards, and Low Emission Zone (LEZ) compliance (Euro 4 petrol / Euro 6 diesel or electric).
Driver licences differ: A Taxi Driver Licence allows driving both taxis and PHCs, while a Private Hire Car Driver Licence is limited to PHCs. Vehicle licensing includes overprovision policies to control numbers—currently capped at around 1,420 for taxis (with ~1,217 active) and 3,450 for PHCs. Applications involve background checks, medicals, knowledge tests (topographical for taxis only), and inspections (typically 2–3 per year for vehicles). Fees are non-refundable and cover 3-year terms for most licences. If the ongoing card payment consultation leads to a mandate, both types may need compatible ePOS/POS systems for seamless compliance.
This comparison helps Glasgow drivers understand requirements and prepare for potential changes like mandatory card acceptance.
| Aspect | Black Cabs (Taxis / Hackney Carriages) | Private Hire Cars (PHCs) |
|---|---|---|
| Operation | Can be hailed on streets, at ranks, or pre-booked. Iconic black design often required (or approved colour), with rooftop signs and regulated fares. | Pre-booked only (no street hailing). Varied vehicle designs, no rooftop signs; fares set by operators/booking offices. |
| Driver Licence Scope | Permits driving any licensed taxi or PHC in Glasgow. Requires topographical knowledge test. | Limited to PHCs only. No topographical test required. |
| Minimum Driver Requirements | Age 21+, full UK driving licence (1+ year), right to work in UK, Group 2 medical, SCQF Level 5 certificate (or equivalent), Disclosure Scotland check, topographical test. | Same as taxis except no topographical test. |
| Vehicle Licence Requirements | Specific approved models (e.g., LEVC TX, certain FX4-style), min. 73 bhp, 4+ doors, 48"/122cm rear seat width, LEZ compliant. Inspections 2–3/year. Must meet taxi conditions (e.g., meter, signage). | Any suitable vehicle meeting LEZ standards. No strict model list; inspections per policy. Identification plates required. |
| Overprovision Caps (Current Policy) | Cap at ~1,420 licences (presumption against new grants if exceeded; ~1,217 active as of recent figures). | Cap at 3,450 licences (no overprovision declared below this; presumption against new grants if reached). |
| Fees (3-Year Term, Approx. Current) | Driver Licence: £202 (grant/renewal). Vehicle Licence: ~£402–£502 (grant/renewal, varies by type). Additional: plates, tests, etc. | Driver Licence: £202 (grant/renewal). Vehicle Licence: ~£402 (grant/renewal). Plates and extras extra. |
| Application Process | Online via glasgow.gov.uk; 28-day public consultation possible; up to 9 months processing. Medical, knowledge test, etc. required. | Similar online process; no topographical test. Overprovision may block new grants. |
Glasgow Taxi Drivers Who Need a Card Machine and Software for Card Payments
This guide will let taxi drivers know that the tariff card payments from Glasgow City Council taxi licensing are demanding that taxis have a point-of-sale system installed. And you probably have heard that if you're a taxi driver in Glasgow, as of February 19th this year of 2026, the Glasgow City Council are looking at a mandatory requirement for all taxi drivers to accept card payments in their taxis to pay for journeys, local or long distance.
The decision came on December the third, 2025, when the Licensing and Regulatory Committee for Glasgow City Council gathered and gave their different views on why taxi drivers should use, em, POS systems for taking payments. Probably due to keeping the fare in order, making sure customers are safe, making sure locals are safer, because a lot of new taxi drivers are jumping on board in Glasgow.
Glasgow taxi quote for a card machine and POS system.
Choosing the Right ePOS/POS System for Your Glasgow Taxi
With Glasgow City Council's ongoing consultation on mandatory card payments (open until June 1, 2026), now is the ideal time for black cab and private hire drivers to upgrade to a reliable ePOS or POS system. A good setup ensures you accept contactless, chip & PIN, Apple Pay, Google Pay, and more—boosting fares, improving safety by reducing cash handling, and preparing for potential licence changes. Key features to prioritise include portability (handheld devices for in-cab use), fast transactions, receipt printing (required if mandated), low fees (1-2% typical), and durability in a vehicle environment. For black cabs, look for systems that can integrate with taxi meters for automatic fare transfer; private hire drivers benefit from app-linked or smartphone-based ePOS for pre-booked jobs. Many providers offer no-contract options, quick setup (often 1-2 hours), and 24/7 support—perfect for Glasgow's ~1,217 licensed taxis navigating LEZ zones and busy streets.
Costs vary: hardware from £19-£200+, transaction fees 1.1-2.5%, and optional subscriptions £0-£50/month. Avoid high upfront costs by choosing pay-as-you-go models. Compare options below to find the best fit—then get a free, no-obligation quote tailored to your licence type (black cab or private hire) and vehicle setup. Modern systems can increase earnings by 15-30% through more card-accepting passengers and easier tipping.
| System Type | Best For | Key Features | Estimated Cost (UK 2026) | Why for Glasgow Taxis? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Handheld Terminal (e.g., myPOS Go 2, SumUp Solo, Ingenico models) | Black Cabs & Independent Drivers | Portable 4G/Wi-Fi, contactless/NFC, chip & PIN, receipt printer option, tipping support, instant funds access, durable build, multi-currency if needed. | Hardware: £19-£99 (one-time) + 1.1-1.69% per transaction; no monthly fee on many. | Quick setup in vehicle; works anywhere in Glasgow; low cost for solo drivers preparing for mandate; supports tips & receipts. |
| App-Based ePOS (e.g., SumUp Air/Tap to Pay, Zettle by PayPal) | Private Hire & Smartphone Users | Uses your phone/tablet, contactless tap on device, app dashboard for sales tracking, integrations with booking apps, no extra hardware needed. | Hardware: £0-£49 (reader optional) + 1.69-1.75% per transaction; free app plan available. | Ideal for pre-booked PHC jobs; minimal setup; low risk for drivers testing card payments before full mandate. |
| Meter-Integrated / Cab-Specialised (e.g., CabCard, PayaTaxi, Helix-style) | Black Cabs with Meter | Direct meter fare transfer, TfL-style approvals, receipt printer, shift/trip management, secure & regulator-friendly. | Hardware: £99-£300+ (incl. printer) + 1.5-2.5% fees; possible setup £100-£500. | Seamless for regulated fares in black cabs; future-proofs against any Glasgow card rule requiring receipts & integration. |
| Integrated Fleet System (e.g., for operators with multiple vehicles) | Booking Offices & Larger Fleets | Multi-vehicle management, analytics, driver apps, dispatch integration, bulk reporting, compliance tools. | Initial: £500-£2,000+ + £20-£50/month per vehicle or subscription. | Scales for private hire operators; central tracking helps with LEZ compliance & potential council audits. |
Why is the Glasgow Council making all Taxi drivers pay by card for every journey?
Probably a lot of different reasons which, em, only the committee, em, understands, and it's all about keeping the public safe. The consultation is open until the 1st of June 2026. The council is seeking input from the public, drivers, and stakeholders on making credit or debit card acceptance mandatory and an obligation for all taxi drivers.
As in how it could be implemented, like the systems, how much it costs, other taxi drivers, other taxi drivers exempt from taking card payments, like taxi drivers who have contracts for the council, etc. All that will be discussed. approval. If it's approved, every single taxi driver will need an epos system, and that's why this guide was generated, to help taxi drivers overcome ... and what's the best and how do they go about it and all that carry on, because it can be a nightmare.
After that, Glasgow would be the first local Scottish authority to enforce this. It's not even enforced in England, Ireland and Wales, but Scotland's the first, so here we go. Let's see how this goes. ... as of February 19th, 2026, Glasgow taxi drivers don't need to accept cards on a compulsory basis right now, but it’s changing, and they need to take card payments. But you'd better jump on board and get one because most of them are free, like some offer a free one, and you and I can direct you in that direction after you can read through this guide to make sure you're getting the right one.
Okay?
Cash is King but it's stopping for taking payment for trips in glasgow
- A lot of taxi drivers still offer car payments as well, you see, because, as you know, most taxi drivers and everybody else would rather, they know cash is king, you know, so having cash in your pocket is much better, but, do you know when you get a point of sale system for your taxi, you'll get your money in an hour. Customer pays for the stuff, uh, sorry, customers pay for their journey, boom, 26, six clicks, whatever it costs, you get that money in an hour.
- Straight into your, your, your an account, it's open, then you can transfer it to your personal or other business account, it's no problem. It's the way the world's going. Cashless payments are going forward for everything. And with taxi drivers, it's, as we said, all about safety, keeping the public safe, and keeping the HMRC happy as well. No, taxi drivers, by law, in the future will be able to take cash payments.
- With around 1,217 licensed taxis in Glasgow, my god, that's a lot, the change could impact a significant portion, uh, of black taxis, private taxis, and general taxis in the Glasgow area. And it's gonna be a bit of caution, going forward, for the POS system for Glasgow taxi drivers. A lot of taxi drivers might go, and what was all this about? But you're better off with a card machine because it saves all the hassle, and customers expect card machines these days, you know? So, go with the flow, get a card machine and, eh, stop, stop, stop Glasgow City Council from complaining. You know, keep everything above board.
FAQ for Glasgow Taxi Drivers
Is it already mandatory for Glasgow taxi drivers to accept card payments?
This will apply to every single taxi and every single vehicle. Taxi driver with different licenses. It doesn't matter about your license or your car or anything. It'll be under the taxi driver regulations and be set by law. That's why it takes quite a while, because they have to pass it through the House of Commons, probably, or the Scottish Parliament. That's why they give you a date to decide and get sorted with a card machine for your Glasgow taxi.
When is the deadline to get a card machine if the mandate passes?
Right now, there is no deadline, but after June 1st this year, 2026, the Glasgow council will make a final decision and write that decision into the taxi licenses going forward or the taxi application will be rejected.
About the Author
Robert Mcleary
B2B Comparison Expert | Helping UK Businesses Since 2011
Robert Mcleary has been supporting UK businesses since 2011 by connecting them with the best B2B services. Through UKLI Compare, he delivers unbiased comparisons and expert guidance on EPOS and POS systems and other business to business services.