Pre-Book A Taxi with Cardy Cars
Oxfordshire's Female Owned & Operated
Private Hire Local Taxi Service
We go the extra mile
Here at Cardy Cars we specialise in pre-booked journeys using comfortable estate cars with plenty of leg-room and luggage space.
Ideal for longer journeys, we’re happy to collect you (and your stuff!) and drive you almost anywhere within mainland UK, hassle free.
Quick Links
Airport Transfers
And other transport hubs
Hospital & Doctor Appts.
Arrive relaxed and on time!
Oxford Student Moves
Getting you and your stuff to/from uni
Film & TV Unit Hire
Reliable transport for cast, crew and kit
Concerts, Gigs & Shows
Wait-and-return option available
Sporting Events
Wait-and-return option available
Shopping Trips
Shopping assistance option available
Quick Links
Airport Transfers
And other transport hubs
Hospital & Doctor Appts.
Arrive relaxed and on time!
Oxford Student Moves
Getting you and your stuff to/from uni
Film & TV Unit Hire
Reliable transport for cast, crew and kit
Concerts, Gigs & Shows
Wait-and-return option available
Sporting Events
Wait-and-return option available
Shopping Trips
Shopping assistance option available
Book with us now
You can use the booking form for journeys more than 24 hours from now, and up to 30 days in advance.
For all other bookings, please contact us directly.
By using this booking form you agree to Cardy Cars’ Terms & Conditions, Privacy Policy, Cancellation & Refund Policy and Price List.
Happy holidays!
Please note, we are now fully booked for journeys over the Christmas and New Year period.
Bookings are available from 9th January onwards.
Other ways to book
If you’d prefer not to use the booking form, or if you have any special requirements, please give us a call, or send us a message and we’ll get straight back to you.
Freephone
0800 404 5670
Give us a call to discuss your journey
WhatsApp or Text
07588 588 640
Send us a text message or voicenote
Email
book@cardycars.com
Send us an email with your requirements
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I book for right now?
We are not an ‘on-demand’ minicab service, so we’re really sorry but we won’t be able to send a driver to you immediately. All journeys must be booked in advance.
Can I book for later today?
Yes, you may be able to book a journey for later today, depending on vehicle and driver availability.
If you need a vehicle and driver for later today, please give us a call or send a message via text, WhatsApp, or email, and we’ll do our best to help you.
Please note: the booking form allows you to book a journey more than 24 hours from now, and up to 30 days in advance, so it’s not possible to use the booking form if you need to book for today.
What times of the day and night can I book for?
You can book a journey for any time of the day or night.
You can use the booking form (initially without entering any personal details) to check whether we have a vehicle and driver available for your required date and time.
Please note: the booking form allows you to book a journey more than 24 hours from now, and up to 30 days in advance, so it’s not possible to use the booking form if you need to book for today.
If you need a vehicle and driver for later today, please give us a call or send a message via text, WhatsApp, or email, and we’ll do our best to help you.
How do I make a booking?
You can book online any time using the booking form above, or if you’d prefer to speak to us on the phone, our lines are open from 9:00am to 5:30pm every day, including weekends.
You can also send us a message by text, WhatsApp or email. We’re here to help!
Can I pay by cash?
No, it is not possible to pay for your journey with cash. All journeys must be paid for by card in advance.
If there are any additional charges payable at the end of your journey, such as waiting time, parking charges, drop-off fees or road tolls, these can be paid by card or cash directly to the driver.
However, please note that our drivers do not carry any cash, so they are unable to provide you with change. If you intend to pay any charges with cash, please be prepared to round up to the nearest denomination of coins or notes that you have available.
Will I get confirmation of my booking?
Yes, we will send you an email.
If you haven’t received an email immediately after booking, please check your spam/junk folder, and then add us to your address book to ensure you get further booking updates.
After placing a booking, you will receive an email including all of your booking details. The initial status of your booking will be: Pending Review.
Once we’ve checked your requirements and assigned a driver to your booking, you will receive a second email with your booking status updated to: Confirmed.
Will I get a receipt?
Yes. If you pay online using the booking form, the Stripe payment system will automatically send a receipt to the email address entered in the payment window.
If you pay any charges to the driver using the card payment terminal in the vehicle, you can ask the driver to give you the card payment receipt, or a written receipt, or both.
Can I change the pick-up or drop-off address after booking?
Yes, we realise that sometimes plans can change, so making changes to your booking is usually possible. It just depends how near to the scheduled pick-up time you need to make the change.
Please rest assured that if we’re unable to accommodate the changes you require, you can request a refund if the cancellation window is still open – please see our Cancellation & Refund Policy.
If your booking cannot be refunded due to the cancellation window being closed, we will try to move the amount paid for your booking to a journey for another date or time (depending on the length of notice given).
How can I be sure that my driver is on the way?
Your driver will send you either a text message or WhatsApp message to let you know when they are on the way to your pick-up location.
If you’re on WhatsApp, your driver will also send you a location sharing link, so you can choose to see their live location as they make their way to you.
Please note, the driver will not use their personal phone number. They will only communicate with you from our official business mobile/WhatsApp number 07588 588 640 (the mobile number listed on our contact page and in the footer of this website).
How will I know when my driver has arrived?
When your driver arrives at your pick-up location, if you are not immediately visible they will send you a message by text or WhatsApp to let you know that they are waiting for you.
If your driver arrives earlier than the scheduled pick-up time, rest assured that you do not need to rush to meet them. Your free waiting time begins after the scheduled pick-up time.
How much do you charge for waiting time?
Waiting time after the scheduled pick-up time is charged as follows:
Airports & Seaports
30 minutes free, then 50p per minute daytime (06:30–22:30), £1 per minute night-time (22:30–06:30).
Train & Bus Stations
20 minutes free, then 50p per minute daytime (06:30–22:30), £1 per minute night-time (22:30–06:30).
All other locations
10 minutes free, then 50p per minute daytime (06:30–22:30), £1 per minute night-time (22:30–06:30).
Waiting time at stop-off points is charged as follows:
Daytime (06:30–22:30)
£7.50 per 15 minutes (or part thereof)
Night-time (22:30–06:30)
£15:00 per 15 minutes (or part thereof)
Are there any additional charges?
Any parking charges, drop-off fees (such as at airports) and road tolls (such as the M6 motorway toll) will be covered by the driver on your behalf, and will then be payable at the end of your journey. These charges are not included in your online booking price, as they cannot be predetermined.
The exception to the above is the London Congestion Charge, which is included in the online booking price for journeys into (or through) the London Congestion Charge Zone.
Please ensure you have a payment card with you to cover any additional charges, and any chargeable waiting time, at the end of your journey.
What about the Oxford Congestion Charge?
Licensed private hire vehicles are exempt from paying the Oxford Congestion Charge.
What if I need to cancel the booking?
If you need to cancel your booking, please let us know as soon as possible. We’ll do our best to work out the most appropriate way to handle the cancellation.
Our standard terms regarding cancellations and refunds can be found in our Cancellation & Refund Policy, but please rest assured that if your booking cannot be fully or partially refunded due to the cancellation window being closed, we will try to move the amount paid for your booking to a journey for another date or time (depending on the length of notice given).
What if I miss my pick-up time?
If you fail to meet the driver at the pick-up location within the waiting times stated in our Cancellation & Refund Policy, and we receive no communication from you, it will be considered a ‘no-show/no-comms’ (a no-show with no communication) and the driver will have to leave. In this event, our primary concern is for your safety, so we will try to contact you to check that you’re ok.
If there are extenuating circumstances that prevent you from getting in touch with us, or if you are delayed and you have the courtesy to let us know, then we’ll do whatever we can to help.
Can I request a specific vehicle type?
We currently run only one type of vehicle – the Škoda Octavia estate car, which is super reliable, comfortable for long distances, accommodates up to 4 passengers, and has plenty of leg-room and luggage space.
Am I supposed to tip the driver?
It is customary in the UK to give private hire taxi drivers a tip (gratuity) of around 10–20% of the journey fare (particularly if the driver has helped with your luggage), but this is at your discretion.
How many items of luggage can I bring?
The Škoda Octavia estate car has a good sized boot (trunk) space, which can usually accommodate the typical luggage of up to 4 passengers.
When you’re booking, please let us know the expected number of passengers and luggage items.
It’s also worth bearing in mind that if you’re travelling with unusually large items, such as ski equipment, snowboards, etc., plus your regular luggage, then we may only be able to accommodate 2–3 passengers in the vehicle.
If you’re unsure, give us a call and we’ll do what we can to help.
What about child seats?
The Škoda Octavia is equipped with ISOFIX mounting points in the rear seats, so you’re welcome to bring your own baby/child seat with you, and your driver will ensure that it’s properly fixed in place.
If you’re travelling without your own baby/child seat, we currently have 1 Cuggl Partridge Group 1/2/3 high-back car seat with internal 5-point harness, adjustable head support and side-impact protection, suitable for babies aged 9 months to children aged up to 12 years or 135cm height; 9–36kg.
Please note, the high-back car seat is likely to require some configuring depending on your child’s height and weight, so please allow some extra time at the beginning of your journey for this. We have a duty to ensure that the seat is correctly configured for your child, but we don’t want to make you late!
We also have 1 Bebeconfort Manga i-Fix backless booster cushion, suitable for children aged 6 up to 12 years; 128–135cm height; 22–36kg.
Please let us know if you need either (or both) of the above seats when you book, and we’ll make sure to have the right thing in the vehicle when we pick you up.
What is a private hire vehicle service?
A private hire vehicle service (that’s us) is a pre-booked car service that must be booked in advance through a licensed operator (also us). Immediate bookings are not usually possible, but you may be able to book for later the same day. Bookings are most commonly taken for journeys at least 24 hours in advance, and up to a few months away.
What's the difference between a taxi, a minicab, and a private hire vehicle service?
Traditional taxi
A traditional taxi can be hailed on the street or found at a taxi rank – easily identified by having a light-up sign on the roof. Taxi vehicles use a meter to charge a set rate (controlled by the local authority) that’s calculated by a combination of distance and time.
Minicab
Minicab companies usually have a small booking office that’s open to the public in a busy part of town. They are often able to provide a driver immediately, or send a driver to your location fairly quickly if you call them or use an app. An agreed rate is usually paid directly to the driver at the end of the journey.
Private hire vehicle
A private hire vehicle service (that’s us) is a pre-booked car service that must be booked in advance through a licensed operator (also us). Immediate bookings are not usually possible, but you may be able to book for later the same day. Bookings are most commonly taken for journeys at least 24 hours in advance, and up to a few months away.
Note: Because ‘taxi’ is the simplest and most commonly understood word for a paid car journey, people often use the word ‘taxi’ to refer to any of the different types of services above – we do realise it’s a bit confusing!
Do you have female drivers?
Yes, we are a female owned and operated business – all our drivers are female.
Is having only female drivers a form of discrimination?
No. Under the Equality Act 2010, our policy of providing female drivers wherever possible is justified as a proportionate means of achieving a legitimate aim.
As a female owned and operated business, one of our unique selling points is to provide a safe and comfortable option for those who may not always feel immediately safe when travelling, such as those who may have experienced trauma or abuse, those who for cultural or religious reasons may prefer a female driver, members of the LGBTQIA+ community, and any other vulnerable members of society.
Are your drivers LGBTQIA+ friendly?
Yes, absolutely. We understand that, for many in the LGBTQIA+ community, feeling safe and seen while travelling is not always guaranteed.
Our drivers wear the Progress lanyard to show that we are friends and supporters of the LGBTQIA+ community. Our vehicles are a safe space for everyone.
Are your drivers DBS checked?
Yes, all our drivers have an enhanced DBS check, updated every 12 months.
Are you fully licensed and insured?
Yes. Cardy Cars is a fully licensed Private Hire Operator. Our license is issued by The Vale of White Horse district council in Oxfordshire. License number: TXPHOV/28657/25.
All our drivers hold a Private Hire Driver license from The Vale of White Horse (or neighbouring district).
We have a specialist insurance policy for private hire vehicle services, which includes £5m public liability cover.
Do your vehicles have CCTV?
Yes, our vehicles are fitted with front and rear exterior cameras, and an interior camera which records video and audio. Data is retained for 90 days unless required for investigation.
Do you offer any executive 'limo-style' services?
No, not right now. It’s something we’re considering for the future.