Nearly half of all UK taxi drivers hit by costly passenger vomiting incidents, survey reveals
A new survey has revealed that nearly half of all taxi and private hire drivers in the UK have experienced a passenger vomiting in their vehicle. The findings highlight the financial and operational burden placed on drivers, with soiling incidents leading to lost earnings and additional cleaning costs.
The National Taxi and Private Hire Driver Survey 2024/25, which gathered responses from nearly 1,500 drivers across the country, shows that 46.3% have dealt with a passenger being sick in their vehicle. Given the nature of the industry, where drivers rely on constant fares to earn a living, a single soiling incident can be particularly disruptive.
When a passenger is sick in a vehicle, drivers must take the car off the road for cleaning, which can take hours depending on the severity of the mess. During this time, they are unable to work, directly impacting their income.
To mitigate these losses, many local authorities and private hire firms impose soiling charges, which passengers are required to pay if they cause a mess requiring specialist cleaning. However, the level of these charges varies significantly depending on the region and licensing authority.
There is no national standard for soiling charges, meaning that rates differ from one area to another. In most cities the charge is set at a flat rate determined by the cost of professional cleaning and loss of earnings.
For example, in London, Transport for London (TfL) sets a soiling charge of £60, which drivers can claim from passengers who cause a significant mess. In Manchester, the fee can be as high as £100, reflecting the cost of professional cleaning services in the area. Other areas impose lower fees, such as £50 in Birmingham and £40 in Glasgow. Some councils leave it to individual operators to set their own policies, leading to inconsistencies.
Despite these charges, many drivers report difficulties in enforcing them, particularly with intoxicated passengers who either refuse to pay or dispute the claim.
