We’re acting on reports of taxi drivers adding illegal card surcharges. If you’re ever charged more than the agreed fare for paying by card, please let our Licensing Team know.
Rossendale Borough Council has received reports that some taxi drivers locally have been adding a surcharge to an agreed fare when passengers pay by card. In most cases this has been around 10%, although in some instances the additional amount has been higher. Thank you to the residents who raised this with us, your information has allowed us to act quickly.
Adding a surcharge for paying by card is illegal under the Consumer Rights (Payment Surcharges) Regulations. After reviewing the evidence provided, we have begun the appropriate licensing processes and have informed Trading Standards.
Passengers should not be charged more for choosing to pay by card. To help protect yourself, here are some things to be aware of:
- Agree the fare before starting your journey where possible
- You should not be charged any extra fee for paying by card
- Do not allow any additional amount to be added when using the card machine
- If you believe you have been charged a surcharge, keep your receipt where possible and report it
If you are asked to pay anything on top of the agreed fare because you’re paying by card, please let us know. Adding a surcharge is a criminal offence, and from Friday 1 May 2026 any driver found doing this may face prosecution.
Any breaches reported to us will be investigated and taken through the proper licensing process, and we will also pass the information to Trading Standards.
To report a concern, please email: licensing@rossendalebc.gov.uk