Paying for your taxi by card: obligations and tips
The question of card payment in taxis comes up constantly. Many passengers have experienced the frustrating situation where the driver announces at the end of the ride that the terminal is "broken" or that they only accept cash. What does the law say? What are your rights? How can you avoid this situation? This guide provides the answers.
The legal obligation for card payment
What the law says
Since 1 January 2018, French taxis are legally required to accept card payment. This obligation is set out in decree no. 2017-1525 of 2 November 2017 and applies to all taxis across the entire French territory.
Key points:
- The electronic payment terminal (TPE) must be functional and available in the vehicle
- The driver cannot refuse card payment
- No minimum amount may be required to accept the card
- The driver cannot charge a surcharge for card payment
Accepted payment methods
The driver must accept at minimum cards from the following networks:
- Carte Bancaire (CB) / Visa / Mastercard
- Contactless payment (NFC) for amounts up to EUR 50
- Apple Pay, Google Pay, Samsung Pay via NFC terminal
American Express and Diners Club cards are not necessarily accepted, but many terminals do handle them.
What to do if the driver refuses the card?
Scenario 1: "My terminal is broken"
This is the most common excuse. Here is how to respond:
- 1.Remind them of the law politely: "The law requires you to accept card payment since 2018."
- 2.Ask to see the terminal: if it is genuinely broken, ask for a handwritten receipt with all the ride information
- 3.Offer an instant transfer or mobile app payment
- 4.Note the driver's information: licence number, plate, time of the ride
Scenario 2: "Below EUR 10, it's cash only"
This is illegal. There is no minimum amount for card payment in taxis. Even a EUR 5.50 ride must be payable by card.
Scenario 3: "The commission costs me too much"
Some drivers cite the cost of bank commissions. This is understandable from a human perspective, but it does not change the law. The driver must incorporate this cost into their professional activity.
Your response: "I understand, but I only have my card. It is my right to pay by card."
Remedies if refused
If the driver persists in their refusal:
- 1.Report the incident to your departmental prefecture (which manages taxi licences)
- 2.Contact the DGCCRF to report the card payment refusal
- 3.Leave a negative review on the booking platform used
- 4.File a complaint if the driver detained or threatened you
Penalties for the driver can include a fine of EUR 150 for refusal of a legal payment method, and a disciplinary sanction from the prefecture that can go up to licence suspension.
Different payment methods in taxis
Classic card payment
The driver inserts or swipes your card in the electronic payment terminal (TPE). You enter your PIN and validate. A receipt is printed. This is the most classic method.
Contactless payment
For amounts under EUR 50 (2026 limit), you can simply hold your card near the terminal. No PIN required. It is fast and hygienic.
Tip: the EUR 50 limit applies to physical contactless. With Apple Pay or Google Pay, the limit is often higher because biometric authentication (Face ID, fingerprint) replaces the PIN.
Smartphone payment
Mobile payments are increasingly accepted:
- Apple Pay: hold your iPhone or Apple Watch near the terminal
- Google Pay: hold your Android smartphone near the terminal
- Samsung Pay: hold your Samsung smartphone near the terminal
Payment via the TaxiNeo app
On TaxiNeo, payment is built into the app:
- Card registration: enter your card once in the app
- Automatic payment: the amount is charged at the end of the ride
- No terminal needed: payment is 100% digital
- Automatic invoice: received immediately by email
- 3D Secure: strong authentication for each payment
Cash payment
Cash payment naturally remains allowed. The driver must have change to give back. If the driver cannot give change, they cannot demand an amount higher than the ride price.
Benefits of card payment
For the passenger
- Convenience: no need to withdraw cash before the ride
- Traceability: the payment appears on your bank statement
- Security: no risk of cash loss or theft
- Expense reports: the bank statement serves as supplementary proof
- High limit: no limit linked to available cash
For the driver
- Security: less cash in the vehicle = lower theft risk
- Speed: no change to give
- Traceability: simplified accounting
- Wider clientele: passengers without cash can still take a taxi
- Easier tipping: card tips are often more generous
Developments in taxi payment
QR codes
More and more taxis offer a QR code stuck inside the vehicle. The passenger scans the code with their phone and pays directly via a secure web page. No app or terminal needed.
Biometric payment
With the rise of Apple Pay and Google Pay, biometric payment (fingerprint, facial recognition) has become common. It combines speed, security and traceability.
Corporate invoicing
For companies, TaxiNeo offers centralised invoicing: all employee rides are billed monthly to the company. No individual expense reports to process.
Practical tips
For passengers
- Inform the driver of your payment method at the start of the ride
- Always keep some cash in case of a genuine terminal breakdown
- Use contactless for short rides: it is faster
- Register your card on TaxiNeo for automatic payment
- Ask for a receipt regardless of the payment method
For drivers
- Keep your terminal in good working order
- Charge the TPE battery daily
- Clearly display accepted payment methods
- Train yourself in mobile payments (Apple Pay, Google Pay)
- Offer the receipt systematically after payment
Paying for your taxi by card is a right, not an option. Since 2018, every French taxi must accept card payment with no minimum amount condition and no surcharge. If refused, do not give in: remind them of the law and report the incident. With TaxiNeo, payment is built into the app: simple, secure and automatic.