Do all taxis use taximeters?

No. Not all taxis use taximeters; whether a meter is used depends on local law, the type of service (street-hail vs. pre-booked), and the business model (traditional taxi, fixed-fare service, or app-based vehicle). In many major cities, street-hail taxis are legally required to run a taximeter that calculates time-and-distance fares. Elsewhere, taxis may operate on flat rates, zones, or pre-agreed prices, and app-dispatched services often rely on software-based “soft meters” rather than a physical device.

How taxi fares are set around the world

Taxi pricing is a patchwork of regulations and practices. Consumer-protection rules in dense urban markets typically favor certified meters, while pre-booked or rural services may legally use fixed quotes. The rise of ride-hailing and integrated taxi apps has also shifted many markets toward software meters controlled by regulators or approved vendors.

When taxis do and don’t use meters

The following points outline common scenarios that explain why some taxis use taximeters and others do not.

• Street-hail in regulated cities: Yellow/black-cab models (e.g., New York City, London’s black cabs, Paris, Berlin) generally mandate certified meters for transparency and enforcement.
• Fixed-fare corridors: Some routes (often airport-to-city) are flat-rate by law or policy, even when the taxi has a meter; the flat fare supersedes metering.
• Zone-based or tariff cards: A few cities or towns use geographic zones with published prices instead of meters, especially in smaller or legacy markets.
• Pre-booked quotes: Dispatch/radio taxis and many app bookings provide a pre-agreed price. In some jurisdictions, once a price is quoted and accepted, a running meter isn’t required for that trip.
• Ride-hailing and “soft meters”: App-based services (and increasingly some licensed taxis) calculate fares via smartphone or in-vehicle tablets using GPS/time algorithms. These can be regulator-approved software meters, even without a traditional box on the dashboard.
• Shared taxis and informal services: Collectivos, jitneys, minibuses, tuk-tuks and moto-taxis in parts of Africa, Latin America, the Middle East, and Asia commonly use fixed or negotiated fares, not taximeters.
• Rural exemptions: In lower-density areas, authorities may allow fixed-price bookings due to sparse demand and long deadhead distances.

Taken together, metering is the norm for on-demand street hails in highly regulated cities, while fixed or software-based pricing is more common for pre-booked or informal services.

Regional snapshot: typical rules and practices

Below is a broad, up-to-date overview of how different regions approach taxi metering and pricing.

• United States and Canada: Most big-city street-hail taxis must use meters. Some routes (notably certain airport-to-downtown trips) have flat fares. App dispatch is widespread; ride-hail cars aren’t usually classified as taxis and don’t use physical meters. Several cities integrate approved software meters in taxi tablets.
• United Kingdom: London’s black cabs must have an approved taximeter and follow regulated tariffs. Private hire vehicles (PHVs), including app-based services, cannot use taximeters in London and typically offer pre-quoted prices. Outside London, many councils require or standardize meters for hackney carriages.
• European Union: Major cities commonly mandate taximeters that comply with metrology rules. Some countries additionally require receipt printers and certified software or hardware. Fixed airport fares are common in cities like Paris and Madrid alongside metered trips elsewhere.
• Asia-Pacific: Large metros such as Tokyo, Singapore, and Sydney rely on meters for taxis; fixed or surcharge-based airport fares may apply. In cities like Bangkok, meters are required by law, though real-world driver compliance can vary. India’s big cities mandate meters for taxis and auto-rickshaws, while app quotes are common for pre-booked rides.
• Middle East: Gulf hubs (e.g., Dubai, Abu Dhabi) require meters in licensed taxis. In some other cities in the region, metering exists alongside negotiated-fare practices.
• Africa: “Meter taxis” operate in many urban centers, but a large share of everyday transport is provided by shared taxis or minibuses with fixed/negotiated pricing and no meters.
• Latin America: Major capitals like Buenos Aires and Mexico City use meters for street hails; radio taxis and apps often quote fixed prices. Shared or informal services commonly use set or negotiated fares.

While details differ by country and city, a consistent pattern emerges: meters for regulated street hails, and quotes or flat fares for pre-booked and informal services.

Why regulators require meters in some markets

Authorities that mandate meters typically cite consumer protection and enforcement. Certified meters help ensure a consistent tariff, enable receipt generation, aid dispute resolution, and support tax compliance. Where regulators allow pre-quoted or app fares, they often require transparent price display and electronic receipts to preserve similar protections.

Practical tips for travelers

These suggestions can help you avoid fare disputes and understand local rules, regardless of whether a taxi uses a meter.

• Check local guidance: Look up the city’s official taxi rules (airport websites and city transport pages are useful) to know if meters are required.
• Confirm before starting: If meters are mandatory, ensure it’s switched on; if the fare is fixed or pre-quoted, ask to see it in the app or on a tariff card.
• Ask for a receipt: Whether metered or fixed-price, a receipt helps resolve issues and may be required for expense claims.
• Know common flat fares: Many cities publish airport flat rates—have them handy to avoid overpaying.
• Use licensed apps or stands: Official taxi ranks and regulator-approved apps reduce the risk of unlicensed operators.

Following these steps improves price transparency and reduces misunderstandings, no matter how the fare is calculated.

Bottom line

Not all taxis use taximeters. In dense, highly regulated cities, street-hail taxis generally must run a certified meter. Elsewhere—especially for pre-booked rides, specific corridors, or informal services—fares may be flat, zone-based, negotiated, or calculated by approved software rather than a traditional meter.

Summary

Taxi metering is not universal. Legal requirements and industry practices vary widely: traditional street-hail taxis in major cities typically use certified meters, while pre-booked rides and informal services often rely on fixed or app-quoted prices. Travelers should check local rules, confirm the fare method before departure, and request a receipt to ensure transparency and fairness.

Do taxi drivers have to use the meter?

If you do agree to accept such a hiring you should either negotiate the fare with the passenger in advance or, if no fare is agreed, take the hiring on the meter. If you negotiated you must adhere to the agreed fare at the end of the journey. You are still obliged to set the meter at the beginning of every journey.

Do taxis still use radios?

Two way radios are commonly found in taxis across the entire country. Offering instantaneous communications, a two way radio allows for drivers to remain in contact with the office at all times, helping to improve the efficiency of your service.

Do taxis still use meters?

Does a Taxi Have to Have a Meter? Yes, all taxis are regulated by their respective state counties.

What is the taxi meter rule?

17. A taxi meter in a vehicle is considered accurate if, (a) On a road test, the distance computed by the taxi meter is within 2% of the actual distance travelled; and, (b) On a time test, the time computed by the taxi meter is within 2% of the actual time. 18.