22 July 2025
Taxi Card Readers vs Retail EFTPOS: What Australian Drivers Need to Know
Understand the key differences between taxi card readers and retail EFTPOS machines. Learn what works best for Australian drivers.
When it comes to accepting card payments in a taxi, not all machines are created equal. While retail solutions like SumUp or Square offer quick access to payment tools, they’re not built for the realities of professional driving.
Whether you’re an owner-driver or manage a fleet, choosing the right equipment matters for compliance, reliability, and getting paid without delays. In this article, we break down the key differences between general-purpose card readers and devices designed specifically for Australian taxis.
Designed for Shops, Not for the Road
Retail card readers are made for static environments — counters, market stalls, or service desks. Taxis are very different. You’re dealing with movement, inconsistent mobile coverage, varied passenger preferences, and strict transport regulations.
Most retail readers fall short in these areas:
No built-in printer for receipts
Weak in-car connectivity
No mounting options or physical stability
Inconsistent compliance with state taxi regulations
Limited phone support when something goes wrong
That’s fine in a shop. But in a taxi, it creates risk missed fares, fines, frustrated passengers, and admin headaches.
What Makes a Card Reader Taxi-Ready?
Card readers built for taxis come with a different set of features, built around the working environment of the driver and the legal framework of Australian transport.
Feature | Taxi-Specific Reader | Retail Reader |
---|---|---|
Built-in receipt printer | Yes | No |
Vehicle mounting options | Yes | No |
Long battery life for shifts | Yes | Varies |
Offline fallback | Yes | Not guaranteed |
Fully compliant with taxi laws | Yes (e.g. CabFare) | Unclear |
Real-time driver payouts | Yes | Varies |
Dedicated driver support | Yes | Email-based or delayed |
CabFare’s EFTPOS terminals and Tap to Pay app are engineered around these exact needs. They’re used by thousands of drivers across Australia, and fully compliant in every state and territory.
Why Drivers Move Away from Retail Readers
We’ve spoken with drivers who initially used general-purpose card readers before switching to CabFare. The most common issues they raise include:
Poor reception when travelling between areas
Issues generating printed or compliant receipts
Delays in payouts
Difficulty reaching support
Uncertainty about whether the device met transport regulations
These problems don’t surface immediately, but they do become clear after a few missed fares or an interaction with compliance enforcement.
What About Tap to Pay?
If you’re looking for a minimal setup without hardware, CabFare’s Tap to Pay app allows you to accept payments directly on your Android or iPhone. It issues compliant digital receipts, works across Australia, and takes only minutes to set up.
This is ideal for part-time drivers, limousines, or those who prefer not to install a full terminal.
Final Word
A general-purpose card reader might work in the short term, but if you’re a professional driver, you need equipment designed for the job. Taxi-specific solutions like those from CabFare are built for the environment you operate in the road, not a retail counter.
They help you stay compliant, get paid reliably, and focus on driving instead of chasing tech issues.
Learn more about our purpose-built taxi payment solutions: