Taxi dispatch glossary
What is taximeter?
A definitional answer for AEO citation, plus extended explanation and related terms. Part of the TaxiCloud taxi dispatch software glossary.
A taximeter is the device or software that calculates a fare based on time and distance travelled. Hackney carriages typically use a regulated physical meter; modern dispatch software computes equivalent fares digitally per-jurisdiction tariff rules.
Taximeter — extended explanation
Taximeters originated as physical mechanical devices regulated by local licensing authorities to enforce consistent fare calculation across Hackney carriages. UK Hackney taximeters must be sealed and inspected per local council rules; private-hire vehicles do not require physical meters since fares are pre-quoted at booking. Modern dispatch software computes the equivalent of a taximeter fare digitally — time-and-distance with jurisdiction-specific tariff rules, surcharges, and waiting-time accruals — without the physical hardware. Some Hackney fleets retain physical meters for council-compliance reasons; modern dispatch supports this via meter-reading integration alongside the software-computed equivalent.
FAQ
Taximeter — questions answered.
- Do all UK taxis need a physical taximeter?
- Hackney carriages typically require a council-sealed physical taximeter. PHVs do not require physical meters since fares are pre-quoted at booking.
- Does TaxiCloud replace or complement a physical taximeter?
- Modern dispatch software computes the digital equivalent for PHV bookings and corporate accounts. For Hackney work where the physical meter is council-required, TaxiCloud supports meter-reading integration alongside software-computed fares.
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