FAQs

The health and wellbeing of taxi drivers has never been more important.

While no one advises completing a 60-mile round trip to a local landmark to test your eyesight, making sure that you are fit to drive safely is essential.

Small businesses struggling due to the coronavirus can now apply for a new 100% state-backed loan worth up to £50,000, with no interest charged or repayments needed in the first 12 months.

Moneysaving expert.com, a site by Martin Lewis – a well-known personal finance expert, takes you through the loans bank by bank.

At Patons we’re trying our best to help each and every one of our customers during this time.

We’ve received lots of calls and emails with questions about what we can do as a company for our customers. We’re working as hard as we can in order to answer every query.

With the outbreak of the Coronavirus pandemic, taxi drivers across the UK are now facing an uncertain financial future.

During these difficult times we want to help and support Patons customers, so we’ve put together everything you need to know about the Coronavirus Self-Employment Income Support scheme.

You don’t need to share your cab with Greta Thunberg to know that we are currently facing a global climate crisis.

Reducing carbon emissions has never been more important, and with a 58% rise in the number of licensed taxis and PHVs in England alone over the last fifteen years, it’s easy to see why the government, local councils as well as customers are asking cabbies to do their bit.

In a follow up to our previous poll we’re asking what would help you make the switch to an electric vehicle? Take part to voice your opinion!

On 1st November 2019, John Paton Insurance Services completed the mutually successful acquisition of Shield Insurance Consultants Limited – more commonly known as ‘Cabshield’.

This agreement provides a unique opportunity for the two organisations to now combine their respective strengths for the mutual benefit of our customers in both Patons Insurance and Cabshield.

From April next year all Hackney cabs in Liverpool will have to accept on board card payments.

The mandatory introduction, which follows similar passenger services offered by drivers in London, will provide debit and credit card payment facilities, including contactless.

The great British summer; one week it’s record high temperatures the next it’s a total wash out.

Flash flooding can happen any time and anywhere thanks to rain, blocked drains, damaged water mains, tides or burst river banks. Last year, the AA rescued almost 9,000 vehicles that had driven through or were stuck in floodwater, with an estimated insurance bill of more than £34 million.

Driving a taxi in the summer is very different to being on the road in the depths of winter but it still has its challenges.

Roads are often busier, especially during school holidays, around airport approaches and popular tourist destinations. Also high temperatures can dramatically affect a vehicles performance as well as our own driving skills.

Following on from our previous blog about the implications of a no deal Brexit on 29 March and the requirement for a Green Card, there may also be a requirement to have an International Driving Permit (IDP).

There’s still a lot of uncertainty around the UK’s future relationship with the European Union after Brexit.

With negotiations continuing over the United Kingdom’s exit from the EU and no deal currently in place, there’s potential impacts for driving in the EU, one may be the requirement of a Green Card.

The Association of British Insurers (ABI), says drivers will have to act quickly to ensure they have valid insurance to drive outside the UK.