HOW TO HIRE · PETS

How to hire a pet taxi driver in the UK
The checks, the questions and the paperwork.

Local pet taxis need no licence; long trips may. Here is what to ask.

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THE 60-SECOND VERSION

Hiring a pet taxi driver in five steps

  1. Describe the tripPet, distance, pickup, destination, waiting.
  2. Ask about secure travelCrates or harnesses, ventilation, temperature.
  3. Agree the fareWaiting time and returns included or extra.
  4. Long journey?Ask about the transporter authorisation over 65 km.
  5. Get updatesA message on pickup and arrival.

BEFORE YOU BOOK

Check before you book

No register applies

No licence covers a local pet taxi in England, Wales, Scotland or Northern Ireland. The driver is in charge of your animal, so welfare law applies, and the checks are the vehicle, the crates and insurance.

See how animals are secured before booking. legislation.gov.uk →

Transporter authorisation for long journeys

Defra's guidance for England and Wales says a transporter authorisation is needed to transport animals over 65 km in connection with an economic activity — type 1 for journeys up to 8 hours, type 2 beyond, under a scheme run by APHA's Welfare in Transport team.

For a long-distance move, ask the pet taxi driver whether they hold one. gov.uk →

Animal welfare law

A pet taxi driver takes on a legal duty, not just a job. Under the Animal Welfare Act 2006 (England and Wales) a person in charge of an animal on a temporary basis is responsible for meeting its needs — diet, environment, protection from pain and disease — with equivalent duties in Scotland and Northern Ireland.

Ask how they would spot illness in your pet and what they would do. legislation.gov.uk →

Insurance

No law makes a pet taxi driver carry insurance, but public liability and cover for animals in their care are normal for a business. Ask what the policy pays if your pet is hurt, falls ill or goes missing while with them.

Ask to see the current insurance certificate.

VAT

A pet taxi fare is standard-rated at 20%, with the waiting time and the return leg charged at the same rate. A business whose taxable turnover passes the £90,000 registration threshold must charge it and show it as a separate line on the invoice.

Ask for the VAT number, and whether the fare, the waiting time and the return trip include the 20%. gov.uk →

“How will my pet travel in the pet taxi?”

A good answer: Secured in a crate or harness, never loose.

“Is the pet taxi vehicle temperature-controlled?”

A good answer: Air conditioning and heating.

“Is waiting time included in the taxi fare?”

A good answer: Stated in advance.

“Do you hold a transporter authorisation for long journeys?”

A good answer: For trips over 65 km, an honest answer.

“Is the pet taxi driver insured for animals in transit?”

A good answer: Yes.

“Will my pet ever be left alone in the taxi?”

A good answer: No, especially in heat.

“Can I ride in the pet taxi with my pet?”

A good answer: If there is room.

Getting the quote right

  • Who actually attends and drives your pet — the driver named, employed or subcontracted
  • Fare for the journey
  • Waiting and return trip
  • Out-of-hours charge
  • Cancellation terms
  • The VAT number, and VAT on the fare as its own line

Walk away if

  • Animals loose in the vehicle
  • No temperature control
  • Pets left alone in a parked car
  • No insurance
LOW
£14
TYPICAL
£18
HIGH
£100

What a pet taxi driver costs: £14–£100 per journey

A pet taxi is priced per journey, by distance, waiting time and return trips, with out-of-hours runs costing more. Pet Taxi price guide →

Guide prices compiled by the Locufy team from published Irish and UK provider price lists and 2026/27 cost guides. Updated 2026.

KNOW WHAT TO LOOK FOR? NOW FIND ONE

Pet taxi drivers near you, with the badges that matter shown

ID checked, trader status and one score from every review — on the card, before you message anyone. Nearest first. No account needed to look.

Or post the job free and let them come to you.

  1. BookTrip, pet and fare agreed.
  2. PickupPet secured in a crate.
  3. JourneySafe driving, temperature controlled.
  4. ArrivalPet handed over at the destination.
  5. ReturnIf booked, the same care home.

Crate
A secure travel box.
Transporter authorisation
Defra's authorisation for animal transport over 65 km.
Type 1
Authorisation for journeys up to 8 hours.
Type 2
Authorisation for journeys over 8 hours.
Waiting time
Time the driver waits for you.
Door-to-door
Pickup and drop-off at the addresses.

AFTER

When the job is done

Check your petCalm, unhurt, hydrated.
Keep the receiptFare and times.
Note any issuesThe same day, in writing.
Leave the reviewReviews on Locufy come only from booked jobs, so yours counts. If something was not right, the make-it-right step goes first and the driver can fix it before the review is published.

STEP 1Tell the driver, in writingDescribe what happened on the journey and what you want. Reasonable care and skill is still owed under the Consumer Rights Act 2015.
STEP 2Use the make-it-right step on LocufyScore the pet taxi driver under four stars and you are asked whether the driver should see it first; we follow it through, then your review goes up.
STEP 3Escalate itWith no register for a pet taxi driver, escalation runs through the consumer helplines, which can pass cases to Trading Standards: Citizens Advice on 0808 223 1133 in England and Wales, Advice Direct Scotland on 0808 800 9060, and Consumerline on 0300 123 6262 in Northern Ireland.
STEP 4Take it to small claimsWhere money is owed back for the pet taxi driver, you can claim without a solicitor: up to £10,000 in England and Wales, up to £5,000 under Scotland's simple procedure, and up to £5,000 in Northern Ireland.

Hiring a pet taxi driver: questions people ask

Not for local trips. For journeys over 65 km as an economic activity, Defra's guidance for England and Wales says a transporter authorisation is needed.

Yes, while in charge; welfare law requires the animal's needs to be met.

A receipt with the fare and times.

£14–£100 per journey, typically around £18. The pet taxi price guide explains what moves the figure; enter your postcode above for prices from pet taxi drivers near you.

A good pet taxi always secures animals.

See your vet and tell the driver in writing; the Consumer Rights Act 2015 requires reasonable care and skill.

MORE GUIDES

More hiring guides in pets

How to hire: Mobile VetHow to hire: Dog WalkingHow to hire: Group Dog WalkingHow to hire: Pet SittingHow to hire: Dog BoardingHow to hire: Cat BoardingHow to hire: Dog GroomingHow to hire: Doggy Day CareAll 701 hiring guides →

Pet taxi drivers near you

Pet taxi drivers in LondonPet taxi drivers in ManchesterPet taxi drivers in BirminghamPet taxi drivers in GlasgowPet taxi drivers in BelfastAll pet taxi drivers on Locufy →

Sources — checked October 2026

  1. gov.uk — transporting animals in Great Britain
  2. Animal Welfare Act 2006, section 9 — duty to ensure welfare
  3. Consumer Rights Act 2015, section 49 — reasonable care and skill
  4. gov.uk — make a court claim for money: court fees
  5. mygov.scot — make a court claim for money
  6. nidirect — small claims process
  7. VAT rates — VAT rates for goods and services: standard rate 20% on most goods and services
  8. GOV.UK — Register for VAT: when to register