AI Receptionist for Taxi & Private Hire · 24/7 Phone Answering

A useful private hire call answering service separates intake from confirmation. Clara can collect an inquiry and send a summary, but the licensed operator remains responsible for fares, availability, dispatch, passenger safety, accessibility, booking records, and the final confirmation. Requirements can also vary by licensing authority.

Private hire call-intake checklist: passenger name and callback number, pickup point, destination, requested time, passenger count, luggage, accessibility or assistance-animal needs, flight details when relevant, account reference, and whether the request involves an immediate safety concern. Your licensed operator decides which fields apply and how they enter the required booking record.

Booking records need more than a pickup address. UK Department for Transport guidance lists the passenger name, request time, pickup point, destination, driver, driver licence number, vehicle registration, booking responder, and dispatcher among the recommended minimum fields. Clara may collect part of that intake, but it does not complete the licensed operator's dispatch and record-keeping duties.

When customers call, Clara can...

Ask for the pickup address and destination
Ask whether the journey is immediate or pre-booked
Check passenger numbers and requirements
Collect their name and contact details
Send a call summary for your team to review

Hi there, you've reached City Cars. I'm the virtual assistant, how can I help you today?

Hi, I need picking up from Heathrow Terminal 5 on Thursday. My flight lands at 2:15 p.m.

No problem at all. Where would you like to be taken to once you've landed?

The Marriott in Reading. I'll have two large suitcases, so I'll need a vehicle with enough room.

I'll add that to the request so the team can check the right vehicle. Can I take your name?

Alan Matthews.

Thanks Alan. And a mobile number in case there are any changes on the day?

Yeah, 07700 900 890.

Got it. And do you have the flight number? Just so the driver can track the landing time.

Let me check. It's BA 726.

Thanks. Is it just you, or will there be other passengers?

Just me.

Great. I've recorded the request. The operator will review availability and contact you to confirm the booking. Is there anything else?

No that's all, cheers.

You're welcome, Alan. Have a safe flight.

Simple pricing, 7 days free on eligible monthly plans

Clara knows your services, your area, and your customers. Always learning, always improving.

2 months free with Annual 2 months free

Unlimited calls answered

Clara

The essentials to answer every call, day and night.

£33

.25

£39.99 /month

7 days free, cancel anytime Billed £399/year, cancel anytime

Start for Free Get started

Single user only

See all features

AI receptionist

24/7 AI receptionist

Business-trained AI

Custom greetings & questions

Unlimited outbound calling

Phone numbers

Use your existing number

Or set up Clara as your second line

Unlimited calls answered

Clara Pro

Popular

The full Clara experience, with automation built in.

£58

.25

£69.99 /month

7 days free, cancel anytime Billed £699/year, cancel anytime

Start for Free Get started

Supports teams £29/mo per seat Learn more

Everything in Clara, plus:

See all features

AI receptionist

Your caller ID on outgoing calls

Automation

Automated text follow-ups

Personal contact exclusion

Live call transfers

Collaboration

Multiple users on one account

Shared inquiries and calendar

Support

Priority customer support

Compare plans

Frequently Asked Questions

Can Clara collect booking requests while I'm driving?

Yes. Clara can answer the call, ask the intake questions you configure, and send the caller details and summary to your phone. Your licensed operator reviews the request and confirms the booking.

What details can Clara collect for a taxi request?

You can configure Clara to ask for pickup and destination, requested time, passenger count, contact information, luggage, accessibility needs, and flight details. Collect only what your business needs and your local rules allow.

Can Clara help with airport transfer inquiries?

Yes. Clara can ask for the airport, terminal, flight number, arrival time, destination, passenger count, and luggage. Your team remains responsible for availability, pricing, vehicle assignment, and confirmation.

Does Clara answer after hours?

Clara can answer incoming calls at any hour when call forwarding is active. Configure what it may collect after hours, who receives the summary, and which urgent or safety-related requests require a human or emergency services.

Will callers know they're speaking to an AI?

Clara is an AI receptionist. You can configure how it introduces itself and explains that it is answering for your business, so the greeting follows your disclosure policy and local requirements.

Do I need a new phone number?

No, and you have two options. Forward calls from your existing business number and Clara answers when you can't pick up, or use your Clara number as a dedicated second business line and give that out instead. Either way, Clara answers.

Does Clara work for multi-driver fleets?

Clara can collect requests for a sole operator or a team and send summaries for follow-up. It does not independently dispatch drivers, promise availability, or replace your booking and fleet-management system.

What about regular account customers?

You can configure Clara to ask for an account name or number and include it in the call details. Your team still verifies the account, applies approved pricing, confirms the ride, and handles invoicing.

What if someone calls about something Clara can't handle?

Clara will take a message and flag it for you. Clara won't try to bluff, if something's outside what it can handle, Clara takes a message and makes sure you get the details so you can call back.

Comparing your options? See the best AI phone answering services for UK tradespeople

Last reviewed August 2026

Sources & further reading

UK Department for Transport: statutory taxi and private hire vehicle standards

Answer taxi and private hire booking calls while your team is on the road