Recommended gear for taxi & private hire drivers
The kit that makes private hire driving safer, smoother and more professional — chosen for UK drivers.
Some links on this page are affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases, at no extra cost to you — it helps keep our guides free. Prices are a guide only; check Amazon for the latest.
Ratings and prices were last checked on 30 June 2026 and can change — the live price is always shown on the Amazon product page.
Dash cam
Close to essential for private hire work — it protects you against false claims and helps settle disputes. Display a passenger notice if it records the cabin.
Front & rear dash cam
Records the road ahead and behind to protect you against false claims.
Our take: For private hire work a dual front-and-rear camera is the sensible minimum — it settles disputes fast, and most insurers look more kindly on a recorded incident. Mount it cleanly, keep the lens clear, and pair it with a high-endurance memory card (below).
Typical price: £54.97
View on Amazon ↗Phone mounts & charging
It's illegal to handle a phone while driving, so a solid mount is a must — and your phone is your livelihood, so keep it charged.
Phone holder
Keeps your phone secure and in view — legally — while you drive.
Our take: A firm, one-handed mount is non-negotiable since you can't touch the phone at the wheel. Look for a strong grip that won't drop your phone over speed bumps and an angle you can read at a glance.
Typical price: £24.99
View on Amazon ↗USB-C car charger
Fast-charge your phone (and a power bank) between jobs.
Our take: Your phone is your livelihood on shift, so a fast dual-port charger keeps it — and a backup battery — topped up. USB-C with decent wattage charges far quicker than the old cigarette-lighter adapters.
Typical price: £9.99
View on Amazon ↗Magnetic vent mount
A low-profile magnetic holder for quick mounting.
Our take: The fastest grab-and-go option — snap the phone on and off in a second between pickups. Best as a second mount or for lighter phones; just keep it clear of your line of sight.
Typical price: £9.99
View on Amazon ↗Comfort
You're sat down all shift — look after your back.
Lumbar support cushion
Supports your lower back over long shifts.
Our take: Hours in the driver's seat are hard on your back, and a firm lumbar cushion makes a real difference to comfort and posture by the end of a shift. A small spend your back will thank you for.
Typical price: £34.99
View on Amazon ↗Safety & essentials
The small things that keep your shift running smoothly and safely.
High-endurance microSD card
Built for constant dash-cam recording.
Our take: Ordinary memory cards wear out fast under non-stop loop recording and can fail silently — exactly when you need the footage. A 'high endurance' card sized for a full shift is the one upgrade every dash-cam owner should make.
Typical price: £22.99
View on Amazon ↗Portable jump starter
Get going again after a flat battery — no waiting for recovery.
Our take: A flat battery mid-shift means lost fares and a long wait for recovery. A compact lithium jump starter gets you moving again in minutes and doubles as a power bank. Keep it charged in the boot.
Typical price: £39.99
View on Amazon ↗Compact first aid kit
A small in-car kit for minor incidents.
Our take: Cheap peace of mind — and some operators and councils expect one in the vehicle. Keep it somewhere you can reach it, and check the contents now and then.
Typical price: £14.24
View on Amazon ↗Cordless tyre inflator
Top up a soft tyre at the kerb in minutes.
Our take: A slow puncture or soft tyre doesn't have to end your shift — a cordless inflator gets you back to a safe pressure quickly so you can carry on or reach a garage. Compact enough to live in the boot.
Typical price: £24.99
View on Amazon ↗