Best card machine for private hire UK 2026

For UK private hire (PHV) drivers licensed by their local authority. Operates by pre-booking rather than hail. Often via dispatch companies (Addison Lee, Veezu, Andy's Cars), independent ops, or platforms (Uber, Bolt, Free Now). Card-payment requirements differ from black cabs: no statutory mandate but commercial reality says you take card.

The ranking

1. Tap to Pay on iPhone (no terminal)

4.2 / 5

Best for platform-and-private-hire mix

iPhone XS or later running iOS 16.4+, no separate terminal · Same as the underlying acquirer · Same as the underlying acquirer

Tap to Pay on iPhone is the strongest UK private hire pick in 2026. Most platform earnings (Uber, Bolt, Free Now) settle in-app; you only need a card reader for the off-platform fares. Zero hardware cost means it pays for itself on the first £50 fare. Compatible iPhone XS or newer on iOS 16.4 or later.

2. SumUp Solo

4.2 / 5

Best dedicated private hire reader

Portable terminal with built-in receipt printer (Solo Lite is no-printer) · 1.69% per transaction · No contract

SumUp Solo at £99 with 1.69% rate, free 4G SIM, full-day battery. Works standalone (no phone tether) which matters for drivers running phone-mounted GPS in the cab without battery to spare. £99 hardware is the practical sweet spot.

3. Tide Card Reader

3.8 / 5

Best for Tide Business banking private hire

Compact Bluetooth-paired reader (similar to Zettle / SumUp) · 1.5% per transaction (UK) · No contract

Tide Card Reader at £49 with 1.5% per transaction. Same-day settlement to Tide Business account. £49 hardware is the cheapest dedicated UK reader. Best fit if you already bank with Tide for your private hire Ltd or sole-trader business.

4. Square Terminal

4.1 / 5

Best for private hire fleet co-ordinator

All-in-one countertop terminal with receipt printer · 1.75% per transaction (UK) · No contract

Square Terminal at £149 with 1.75% rate is the strongest pick for a private hire operator running a small fleet (3 to 10 cars) where one device handles dispatch-counter payments plus driver settlement. Built-in receipt printer for executive corporate fares.

Quick comparison

Headline rate, hardware cost, contract and form factor at a glance.

Rank	Terminal	Rate	Hardware	Contract
#1	Tap to Pay on iPhone (no terminal)	Same as the underlying acquirer	£0 hardware (you already have the iPhone)	Same as the underlying acquirer
#2	SumUp Solo	1.69% per transaction	£99 to £149 hardware	No contract
#3	Tide Card Reader	1.5% per transaction (UK)	£49 hardware	No contract
#4	Square Terminal	1.75% per transaction (UK)	£149 to £199	No contract

FAQs

What is the best card machine for a UK private hire driver?

Tap to Pay on iPhone wins overall: zero hardware, supports Apple Pay, Google Pay and contactless card up to £100. For drivers without a compatible iPhone, SumUp Solo at £99 with no contract is the strongest dedicated reader. Tide Card Reader at £49 is cheapest if you bank with Tide.

Does a private hire driver need an in-car card machine if I drive for Uber or Bolt?

Strictly no, since platform fares settle in-app. But most UK private hire drivers split shifts between platform work and direct bookings, off-platform tips, and pre-booked corporate jobs. Tap to Pay on iPhone covers the off-platform side at zero hardware cost.

Can private hire drivers add a card fee to the fare?

No. UK card surcharging on consumer transactions has been illegal since January 2018. The card-acceptance cost has to be built into your fare structure, not added at point-of-sale.

What is the difference between a private hire driver and a black cab driver for card payments?

Black cab (Hackney carriage) drivers in London must accept card under TfL rules since October 2016. Private hire (PHV) drivers have no statutory mandate, but operate by pre-booking and so usually have card payment expectation set up via the booking platform. Card-machine pricing and setup are identical for both.

Sign through us, get all of this

Take any of these. We do the rest.

Named UK account team for the life of the agreement. Acquirer pays our commission on completed introductions, so it costs you nothing on top.

24/7 dedicated support
Direct line to a named UK account manager, not a generic acquirer helpline. When your terminal goes down on a Saturday night you call us.
Quarterly rate reviews
As your card volume grows your rate should drop. We renegotiate against the 80+ UK acquirer panel every quarter, so you never overpay because you forgot to ask.
Chargeback and dispute help
UK chargebacks cost £15 to £35 per case and 60-80% are friendly fraud you can win with the right evidence. We draft the response and escalate where the acquirer drags its feet.
Switching support when you outgrow
If a better acquirer fit emerges as you grow we manage the cutover. No exit-fee surprises, no dual-running gap. Same account team across acquirers.

How we work, end to end →

Methodology

Rankings are based on direct hands-on testing, published rates, settlement timing, contract terms, and acquirer reliability. We do not accept payment for ranking position. See our full methodology and editorial policy.

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Reviewed by Oliver Mackman, Director. Last reviewed: 2026-05-11.