Best apps for taxi drivers
A few of the best apps for taxi drivers include AppyParking, Flightradar24 and Waze.
Taxi apps can track mileage for tax purposes, provide insight into petrol prices, find cheap or free parking, and locate the nearest amenities in unfamiliar areas.
Taxi drivers are competing with public transportation on a daily basis, but these apps can give them an edge. If you are a taxi driver, consider downloading one (or all) of the apps mentioned below to improve your efficiency, provide a reliable service, and maximise your income.
We’ll also explore the best apps for taxi drivers in the public hire sector.
9 Best apps for all taxi drivers
The apps listed here are available for download on Android and iOS devices. Enhance your taxi service with the following:
1. AppyParking
- Price: Free with in-app purchases
- App Store rating: 4.3/5
- Google Play rating: No ratings available
AppyParking provides in-app navigation to free or cheaper parking alternatives in 450 towns in the UK. Taxi drivers can pay for parking directly via the app, saving them the hassle of carrying around change. It is also a great way to track parking expenses when it comes time to submit tax claims.
2. AroundMe
- Price: Free with in-app purchases
- App Store rating: 4.6/5
- Google Play rating: 4.1/5
Every taxi driver must have extensive geographical knowledge, but they are often required to drive to unfamiliar areas. The AroundMe app is beneficial to both drivers and passengers as it provides a comprehensive list of nearby amenities. These include:
- ATMs
- Petrol stations
- Restaurants
- Hospitals
- Banks
- Hotels
3. Flightradar24
- Price: Free with in-app purchases
- App Store rating: 4.8/5
- Google Play rating: 4.7/5
Flightradar24 is ideal for private hire drivers who often work close to airports.
Taxi drivers can track the real-time arrival of flights and avoid additional parking fees due to delays. However, you would need the flight information from the passenger. This app could also be beneficial for drivers who wait in the vicinity until peak arrival times.
4. Google Maps
- Price: Free
- App Store rating: 4.7/5 /li>
- Google Play rating: 4.5/5 /li>
Google Maps is one of the most widely used navigational apps and allows taxi drivers to find the most efficient routes to their destinations. It also provides live updates on traffic, incidents, and road closures.
It also allows drivers to provide passengers with an estimated time of arrival. Additionally, maps are available offline if drivers find themselves without an internet connection.
5. JustPark
- Price: Free
- App Store rating: 4.8/5
- Google Play rating: 4.5/5
With over 10 million UK drivers using this app, JustPark is an ingenious way for taxi drivers to find and book parking spots. These spots range from public parking areas to “bookable driveways”. Bookings can be made for a month or even just 10 minutes. JustPark also has parking locations with available EV chargers.
6. MileIQ
- Price: Free with in-app purchases
- App Store rating: 4.6/5
- Google Play rating: 4.5/5
MileIQ provides a reliable way to track your mileage while conducting business, which is especially helpful when submitting tax claims. Reports can be generated for the HMRC, your accountant, or yourself.
Mileage is recorded automatically through the app, allowing taxi drivers to remain efficient. The app is extremely user-friendly and can be switched from business tracking to personal use with just one swipe.
The free version of MileIQ offers 40 free drives a month; however, taxi drivers may be better off downloading the premium versions which allow for unlimited tracking.
Bonus read: What Expenses Can A Taxi Driver Claim?
7. PetrolPrices
- Price: Free
- App Store rating: 3.8/5
- Google Play rating: No rating available
This app is a great way for drivers to remain economical when filling up by comparing prices at various petrol stations. PetrolPrices give taxi drivers the option of viewing fuel prices in either a map or list format, allowing them to easily find the cheapest and most convenient locations to fill up.
8. UK Telematics
- Price: Free
- App Store rating: No rating available
- Google Play rating: No rating available
The UK Telematics app is for fleet management. Many taxi drivers can benefit from the data that this app provides, which can be used to:
- Review previous journeys
- Monitor driving
- Provide insurance companies with information to help lower policy prices
- Track your vehicle performance
Pro insight: Telematics car insurance is worth looking into and may reduce your taxi insurance premiums. Telematics or black box devices monitor drivers’ behaviour and send collected data to your insurance provider to calculate your premiums. This type of cover can be added to both public and private hire taxi insurance policies.
9. Waze
- Price: Free
- App Store rating: 4.8
- Google Play rating: 4.4
Waze provides drivers with navigation and live updates on traffic and roadworks.
Best of all, drivers are alerted to any fixed or mobile speed cameras that lie ahead. Taxi drivers can find the best routes by using this app to avoid potholes, sharp turns, railway crossings, and speed bumps.
Looking for cheap taxi insurance? Get your quote today!
Get QuotesBest apps for the private hire industry
If you are a private hire taxi driver looking into ride-hailing via apps, consider the following to determine which one could be most beneficial to you and your business.
1. Addison Lee
- UK users: 7,500 drivers, and transports over 10 million people per year in London.
- Commission rate: The last reported rate was 35% in 2019.
- Earning potential: Approximately £52,000 per year before vehicle hire costs.
Addison Lee has strong roots in the UK taxi industry and boasts the largest independent taxi fleet in the UK.
2. Bolt
- UK users: 100,000 drivers, nine million passengers.
- Commission rate: 15%-20%
- Earning potential: £12,000- £36,000 per year
As one of the strongest private hire competitors, Bolt is widely used due to its low rates. Bolt currently operates in 19 cities across the UK.
3. FreeNow
- UK users: 35,000 drivers, and 1.5 million registered users in London.
- Commission rate: 18%
- Earning potential: £29,000 – £31,000 per year
Formerly called Mytaxi, FreeNow is very much focused on its drivers and has benefits such as a dedicated driver care team, driver loyalty programmes, and the removal of unfair ratings.
It’s most popular in London, Manchester, Brighton, Edinburgh, Nottingham, Oxford, Reading, Derby, and Leicester.
4. Gett
- Commission rate: 15% to 20%
- Earning potential: £20,000- £21,000 per year
Gett uses authorised black taxis (also known as hackney carriage vehicles) to provide a service for corporate customers.
It’s popular in London, Manchester, Edinburgh, Greater Manchester, Birmingham, Glasgow, Coventry, Newcastle, Bournemouth, Reading, Bristol, and South Gloucestershire.
Benefits include:
- No surge pricing
- Environmental sustainability
- Carbon neutrality
Black cab drivers might be interested in comparing black cab insurance quotes using SimplyQuote’s 100% free comparison tool.
5. Uber
- UK users: Over 100,000 drivers, over five million users.
- Commission rate: 25%
- Earning potential: £35,700 – £46,800 per year
Perhaps the most popular option among users, Uber has an established stance in the private hire industry.
6. Wheely
- Commission rate: 13%
- Earning potential: Around £36,964 per year
Wheely provides high-end chauffeur-style services. While drivers must meet strict criteria when it comes to things such as presentation and vehicle type, Wheely offers attractive incentives and bonuses.
7. Wystle
- UK users: The company is aiming to recruit 10, 000+ drivers in the London region.
- Commission rate: 13%
- Earning potential: £20,000 – £45,000 per year
Wystle was “created by Londoners, for Londoners” and its fleet comprises all makes and models of cars. Taxi drivers in the London area can sign up as drivers no matter what they drive. As a fairly new company, Wystle is recruiting drivers by offering incentives such as commission-free driving for the first month, followed by a 13% commission rate thereafter.
Other technologies that taxi drivers should seriously consider
Here are other technologies that you might want to consider using to better your taxi services.
- Applications for card payments: Not everyone carries around cash these days. Private hire drivers who are not paid via ride-hailing apps may want to invest in portable point-of-sale systems or payment apps such as Apple Pay.
- WiFi Taxi HotSpot: Don’t let the lack of data interfere with your apps or music streaming. Taxis with WiFi will also be a hit amongst passengers.
Final thoughts
The apps mentioned here are designed to help and improve the services provided by UK taxi drivers. If you have any other questions about taxi driving, visit SimplyQuote. We provide unique insights and sound advice to benefit taxi drivers and their businesses.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. In the industry, this is referred to as “multi-apping”. Many drivers do this to increase their chances of booking rides. It is not illegal, but it is somewhat frowned upon within the industry. There will likely be some kind of government regulations for this kind of activity in the future.
While it is not a requirement, it is good practice. If possible, taxi drivers should have a dedicated work phone for conducting business to separate business and personal phone usage expenses.
Yes! The data usage and payments on these apps are all business-related. As long as a taxi driver can provide proof, it can be claimed as a business expense.