HMRC Mileage Allowance for Taxi Drivers
Claim up to 45p per mile and reduce your tax bill significantly. Here is exactly how it works for the 2026-2027 tax year.
2026-2027 Mileage Rates at a Glance
HMRC sets Approved Mileage Allowance Payments (AMAPs) that self-employed drivers can use instead of claiming actual vehicle costs. These rates are designed to cover fuel, wear and tear, insurance, and servicing in a single per-mile figure.
45p
per mile
First 10,000 business miles
25p
per mile
Every mile above 10,000
Important
You must choose between the mileage allowance method and claiming actual vehicle costs (fuel, repairs, insurance, etc.). You cannot use both. For most taxi drivers who own their vehicle, the mileage allowance is simpler but actual costs often give a larger deduction. Fyled helps you compare both methods.
Real-World Examples: How Much Can You Save?
Let us look at three common scenarios to see the mileage allowance in action:
Part-Time Driver: 8,000 Business Miles
8,000 × 45p = £3,600£3,600 total deduction
All miles fall within the 45p band.
Full-Time Driver: 15,000 Business Miles
(10,000 × 45p) + (5,000 × 25p) = £4,500 + £1,250£5,750 total deduction
The first 10,000 miles earn the higher rate, then 25p applies.
High-Mileage Driver: 30,000 Business Miles
(10,000 × 45p) + (20,000 × 25p) = £4,500 + £5,000£9,500 total deduction
At this level, compare with actual costs as they may give a higher deduction.
The tax saving is even more than the deduction amount
A £5,750 mileage deduction does not reduce your tax by £5,750. It reduces your taxable profit by that amount. If you are a basic rate taxpayer (20% + 6% Class 4 NIC), your actual saving is £5,750 × 26% = £1,495 off your tax bill.
Business Miles vs Personal Miles
Only business miles qualify for the mileage allowance. HMRC is very clear about this distinction and may ask you to prove your business mileage in an enquiry.
Counts as Business
- Driving with a passenger to their destination
- Driving to pick up a booked fare
- Cruising for fares (if licenced to do so)
- Driving to a taxi rank to wait for passengers
- Trips to your accountant or HMRC office
- Travelling to training courses
NOT Business
- Driving from home to your regular taxi rank (commuting)
- Personal errands during breaks
- Driving family or friends (not paying passengers)
- Holiday or leisure journeys
- Any journey with no business purpose
Grey area: Driving from home to your first fare of the day may be treated as business mileage if you do not have a fixed base. HMRC guidance is not always clear-cut here. Keep detailed records and consider professional advice for borderline journeys.
What Mileage Records Do You Need to Keep?
HMRC expects you to keep a contemporaneous mileage log. That means recording your miles at or near the time of travel, not estimating them months later. Your log should include:
Date of journey
Start and end locations
Miles driven
Purpose of trip
Fyled makes mileage tracking effortless
Log your odometer readings daily in Fyled. We automatically calculate your total business miles, apply the correct HMRC rates, and generate a mileage summary ready for your tax return. No spreadsheets, no guesswork. See the mileage tracker
Simplified Expenses vs Actual Costs
The mileage allowance is part of HMRC's "simplified expenses" scheme. You have two choices for claiming vehicle costs:
| Feature | Mileage Allowance | Actual Costs |
|---|---|---|
| Record keeping | Just mileage log | Every receipt and invoice |
| Simplicity | Very simple | More complex |
| Fuel | Included in rate | Claim actual spend |
| Repairs & servicing | Included in rate | Claim actual spend |
| Insurance & road tax | Included in rate | Claim actual spend |
| Capital allowances | Not available | Claim depreciation on vehicle |
| Best for | Lower mileage, simple records | High costs, expensive vehicle |
Once you choose a method for a particular vehicle, you must stick with it for as long as you use that vehicle for business. You cannot switch between methods from year to year. See what actual costs you can claim
How to Claim Mileage on Your Tax Return
When you file your Self Assessment, you enter your mileage allowance as an expense on the self-employment pages. Here is the process:
- 1
Keep your mileage log up to date throughout the tax year
- 2
At year end, total your business miles (April to April)
- 3
Calculate the allowance: first 10,000 at 45p + remainder at 25p
- 4
Enter the total as a vehicle expense on your Self Assessment (SA103)
- 5
Keep your mileage records for at least 5 years after submission
Need help with the full Self Assessment process? Read our complete Self Assessment guide
Start Tracking Your Mileage Today
Every untracked mile is money left on the table. Fyled makes it easy to log your odometer readings daily and automatically calculates your mileage allowance. Sign up in under two minutes.