For a metered taxi, the fare is whatever the taximeter shows, calculated from the council's table of fares. On any journey that starts and finishes inside the licensing district the driver cannot charge more than the meter, and the Cannock Chase policy states plainly that charging above it is an offence. Private hire works differently: the operator sets the price and normally quotes it when you book. For a journey that ends outside the district, a different fare can be agreed, but only before the journey begins.
What goes into a metered fare
Each council publishes its own table of fares, so there is no single national tariff. Most tables are built from the same few ingredients, and the meter applies them automatically:
- An initial charge that covers the first stretch of the journey.
- Distance steps that add a small amount for each further fraction of a mile.
- Waiting and slow-traffic time, charged when the cab is stationary or crawling.
- Time-of-day and holiday rates, which a calendar-controlled meter switches on by itself, so a late-night or bank-holiday journey costs more than the same trip at midday.
- Listed extras, where the council allows them, such as additional passengers or luggage.
The exact numbers change whenever a council reviews its tariff, and we have deliberately not printed example prices here because they would date quickly. The reliable source is the table of fares that must be displayed inside each hackney carriage in a place where passengers can see it. How and why councils change those tables is covered in a separate guide.
Who can charge what
The rule depends on the type of vehicle and where the journey ends. The table below is based on the Cannock Chase licensing policy of June 2024 and section 66 of the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1976; other councils follow the same law but publish their own wording.
| Situation | How the price is set | Can the driver charge more than the meter? |
|---|---|---|
| Taxi, journey starts and ends inside the district (including pre-booked ones) | Meter, using the council's tariff | No. It is an offence |
| Taxi, journey ends outside the district, nothing agreed beforehand | Meter, using the council's tariff | No |
| Taxi, journey ends outside the district, fare agreed before it starts | The agreed fare | Yes, if agreed first |
| Taxi used as private hire, journey starts and ends outside the district | Fare agreed in advance; meter not required | Only what was agreed |
| Private hire vehicle | Operator's quote at booking | Not applicable; agree the price first |
Drivers may always charge less than the meter. The council's policy says lesser fares can be negotiated, which is why asking for an estimate on a longer trip is reasonable.
When the meter should start
The Cannock Chase policy says the meter must not be operated until the passenger is seated and the driver is ready to move off. When the journey ends, the driver should state the fare displayed and ask you to pay no more than that. If you are standing at the kerb while the numbers already climb, that is worth querying.
Asking for money upfront
A driver may sometimes ask for the fare before setting off, typically late at night, and the council's documents accept this where there is good reason. It does not change the ceiling: on an in-district journey the meter figure is still the most that can be charged. Paying for a taxi covers upfront payment, receipts and card payments in more detail.
Getting a sense of the cost before you go
- Look at the table of fares displayed in the vehicle before you commit to a long trip.
- Ask the driver for a rough estimate; a meter cannot give an exact figure because traffic changes the time element.
- For private hire, ask for the full price including any waiting, tolls or car park charges, and keep the confirmation message.
- For a journey leaving the district, ask whether a fixed fare is on offer, and agree it before you set off.
- Ask for a receipt when you pay; the licence conditions require drivers to provide one on request.
The technical side, including how a meter measures distance and why it is sealed, is explained in our guide to how a taximeter works.
If the fare looks wrong
Note the plate number, the driver's badge number, the time and the amount shown on the meter, and ask for a receipt. Because the meter is the evidence, a photograph of the display helps if the driver does not object. The council's passenger guidance says to contact its Licensing Unit about a fare dispute, and taxi complaints and lost property sets out what to include.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a taxi driver charge more than the meter?
Not on journeys that start and end inside the licensing district. For a journey that ends outside the district, a different fare is allowed only if it was agreed with you before the journey began.
Who decides taxi fares?
For hackney carriages, the district council fixes the fares through a table of fares. Private hire operators set their own prices.
Why does the same journey cost more at night?
Many fare tables include higher rates for late hours, weekends and public holidays. A calendar-controlled meter switches to them automatically.
Is the meter required to be used if I pre-book a taxi?
For journeys wholly inside the district, yes. The Cannock Chase policy says the meter must be used even when the journey was booked in advance.
Can I negotiate a lower fare?
You can ask. The council's policy confirms lesser fares than the meter can be negotiated, but a driver cannot demand more than the metered amount on an in-district trip.