You’ve just spent €20 on a club ticket and the same again on drinks, and now you’re looking for a way home. The last thing you want is a taxi fare that makes your wallet cry. Does this sound familiar?
If so, you are not alone. According to the National Transport Authority (NTA) Compliance Statistics Report, fare disputes made up 976 of the record 1,815 complaints received about taxi services in 2025, a considerable 54%. Most of these complaints came from Dublin, so if you’re trying to get home in a taxi from Coppers to Belfield, this piece will outline the laws that protect you against overcharging and how to report it.
Common Issues with Taxis
1. Extra Charges
The most common complaint the NTA received was drivers adding extra charges, leaving passengers with unexpectedly inflated fares. Under the Taxi Regulation Act 2013, taxi fares are not determined by the driver. The NTA sets the rates taxis can charge, and the meter is programmed to use those rates to charge the appropriate fare for your trip. That figure is the maximum fare that you can be asked to pay. However, some extra charges are legal. Readers should know that drivers are entitled to add a 1 euro fee for each additional adult after the first passenger. There is also a €3 fee if you pre-book a taxi by phone, app or in person. Toll fees incurred by drivers may also be added.
2. Correct Change
Another common complaint is drivers not giving the right change. As a student coming home from a night out in town, it is very easy to overlook missing change when all you want to do is crawl into bed but you are entitled to the correct change. It is always worth taking the time in that moment to make sure you have received exactly what you are owed, because as a student, every cent counts. If the driver refuses to acknowledge his mistake, then keep your receipt and make a note of the driver’s name and license plate.
3. No Taxi Reader
Then there is the issue of taxis with no card reader. Since the introduction of the Small Public Service Vehicle (Cashless Payment Facility) Regulations in 2022, all taxis are legally required to accept both cash and card. This leaves absolutely zero excuse for a driver to march you to an ATM in the middle of the night. Drivers can be fined for not carrying a working card machine or refusing a card payment. While drivers cannot legally refuse card payments, they are permitted to ask for proof of funds before accepting a fare if they have reason to believe a passenger cannot pay.
4. Long Routes
Unfortunately, incorrect change and card machine excuses aren’t the only methods drivers can use to inflate your fare. Instead, another common tactic they use is intentionally taking a longer route than necessary, forcing you to pay more for the exact same trip. The NTA’s Taxi Fare Estimator can help you check what a journey should roughly cost based on your pick-up and drop-off locations. Comparing this estimate to your actual fare can give you a better idea of whether you are being overcharged. Under section 23(3) of the Taxi Regulation Act 2013, taxi drivers are required to take the shortest practical route to the destination, unless another route is agreed upon with the passenger. If they fail to comply, they can be prosecuted and fined in court. For example, in 2016, a Dublin taxi driver was fined 250 euro after being convicted of failing to take a passenger on the shortest route.
5. What you can do
So, where can you report a taxi driver for overcharging? Whether you have been charged an extra fee, given incorrect change, refused a card payment or driven the long way home, you can submit a formal complaint online via the TFI website. Be sure to keep your receipt and note the driver’s details, as these can be crucial to supporting your claim.
By: Luke Markey