1. Does it dispatch automatically, and can you override it?
Look for dispatch that considers driver proximity and availability, with queues and fair rotation for out-of-town and long-run work, and the ability for a dispatcher to step in at any time.
2. Is the driver app included?
Some suppliers charge separately for the driver app or for each module. Ask exactly what the per-vehicle price covers: dispatch console, admin dashboard and driver app.
3. How does it handle UK council compliance?
Check for permanent GPS history, vehicle document tracking (MOT, insurance, tax, plate), expiry reminders and driver shift records. Ask what your own licensing authority requires. See our page on taxi fleet management software.
4. Are dispatchers and admin users charged per seat?
Per-user charges add up as the office grows. Ask whether dispatcher and admin users are unlimited.
5. What is the contract?
Annual lock-ins and cancellation fees are common. A pay-monthly plan with no minimum term lets you leave if the service does not deliver.
6. Are there setup or onboarding fees?
Ask for the total cost in the first month, not only the monthly price.
7. How long is the free trial, and does it need a card?
Fourteen days is common, which is barely enough to learn a dispatch console. Thirty days with full access and no card gives you time to run real jobs. Taxi Fleet Assistant offers a 30-day trial with no card required.
8. Where is your data hosted?
For a UK operator, UK hosting and GDPR compliance matter, especially with customer names, addresses and journey histories.
9. How are recurring jobs and regular customers handled?
Contract and school runs make up a large share of many fleets' work. Check that recurring bookings generate automatically and support preferred drivers and pause periods. See taxi booking software.
10. What do the drivers think?
A system fails if drivers dislike it. Let a few of your drivers use the driver app during the trial: check job offers arrive reliably, status updates are one tap, and the safety features are easy to reach.
Bonus questions: how much will it do for you?
Once the basics are covered, ask suppliers how much of the day-to-day work the system actually removes.
- Does it check a booking is achievable before the office promises a pickup time?
- Does it warn you about staffing gaps before a busy period, rather than after?
- Can customers book themselves through a branded app, and is that included in the price? See our passenger booking app.
- Can your team ask questions out loud instead of searching screens? See our voice assistant.
- Can you give a licensing officer controlled, logged access to records without emailing spreadsheets?
Frequently asked questions
How much does taxi dispatch software cost?
Pricing models vary, but many UK suppliers charge per vehicle per month. Taxi Fleet Assistant starts from £12 per vehicle per month with all modules included.
How long does it take to switch dispatch software?
It depends on your fleet and data. A trial running alongside your current system lets you test with real jobs before you switch.
What should I test during a free trial?
Run real bookings, have drivers log in on their own phones, check compliance reminders, and ask your dispatchers to use the console for a full shift.
Start your free 30-day trial
Every module, your full fleet, no credit card and no contract.