Taxi driver refuses the meter — what to do
Checked May 2026
SHORT ANSWER
Get out of the car. A driver refusing the meter is not negotiating — they are quoting you the scam price. Walk back to the rank, take the next car, and report the plate to the dispatcher.
'Meter broken' is the most common airport-taxi line on Earth, and it always means the same thing. Here's how to handle it without confrontation.
Key things to know
- Meter refusal is a scam signal, not a price discussion
- Get out before you load bags — leverage matters
- Take the plate number and tell the rank dispatcher
- In meter-mandated countries (UK, EU, UAE, Singapore) you can also report to the regulator
Practical checklist
- 1Step 1: Don't load your bags into the boot before the meter is confirmed on
- 2Step 2: If the driver refuses, say calmly 'no meter, no ride' and step out
- 3Step 3: Note the taxi number and report it to the rank dispatcher
- 4Step 4: Queue for the next car
Common mistakes
- Letting bags into the boot before agreeing the meter
- Trying to negotiate a 'fair' flat fare — you're in their pricing game now
- Paying anything to 'cancel' — you owe nothing
Red flags
- • 'Meter broken — flat fare same price'
- • 'Meter only for locals'
- • Driver locking doors during the discussion
WHERE THIS MATTERS MOST
FAQ
- What if the driver gets aggressive?
- Walk back into the terminal. Tell the dispatcher or airport police — they exist exactly for this.
- Is it ever OK to accept a flat fare?
- Only where the airport publishes a flat fare (Madrid €33, Paris €56/€65, Rome €55, Athens €40/€55, JFK $70). Otherwise: meter or leave.