Acorn Insurance has launched a new national award, the Acorn Taxi Hero Award, and is calling on the public to nominate local taxi drivers who deserve recognition.
Has a taxi driver returned something you thought you’d lost forever? Gone out of their way to make sure you got home safely? Helped an elderly relative in their hour of need? Or simply spent years making a difference to the community they serve?
Acorn Insurance is calling on the British public to share those stories as it launches a nationwide search for Britain’s Taxi Heroes – recognising the drivers who go above and beyond for their passengers and communities.
The UK’s largest taxi insurance specialist, part of Acorn Group, is calling on people across the country to nominate the taxi drivers they believe deserve to be hailed as their local heroes, with the winning driver set to receive a £1,000 Amazon gift card and the inaugural Britain’s Taxi Hero trophy.
The search will celebrate drivers who have made a genuine difference beyond simply getting passengers from A to B. That could be through an extraordinary act of kindness, charity or volunteering, supporting vulnerable passengers, years of service to a community, or simply being the person local people know they can depend on.
Eight in ten Brits say taxi drivers are vital to their local communities
The search follows research commissioned by Acorn earlier this year among 2,000 UK adults, which revealed a disconnect between how much Britain values its taxi drivers and the recognition they receive.
Almost half (44%) of those surveyed believe taxi drivers do not get the credit they deserve, despite 82% describing them as vital to their local community, while three in five admitted they had relied on a driver during a difficult or important moment in their life.
Every town and city has a taxi hero
From London’s black cab drivers to private hire operators serving towns, cities and rural communities across Britain, Acorn believes there are thousands of stories that rarely receive wider recognition.
The awards are also an opportunity for communities to get behind their own drivers and show some local pride. From Clydebank to Cornwall, Acorn is encouraging people to put their town or city on the map by nominating the drivers who make a difference in the areas where they live.
Ash Coakley, Head of Taxi Insurance at Acorn Group, said:
“Almost everyone has a story about a taxi driver who has gone the extra mile. It might be getting someone home safely late at night, helping an elderly passenger with their shopping, returning a lost wallet or phone, supporting a local charity, or being a familiar and trusted face in their community.”
“Those moments often happen without any recognition and we want to help change that.”
“That’s why we’re searching for Britain’s Taxi Heroes. We’re encouraging people across the country to tell us about the drivers who have made a difference to them and give those drivers the recognition they deserve.
“If you think your town or city has Britain’s best cabbies, now’s the chance to prove it. Tell us who your local taxi hero is and why they deserve to win.”
How to nominate Britain’s Taxi Heroes
Members of the public can nominate a taxi driver by visiting www.acorninsure.co.uk/taxi-hero-award/ and sharing the story of why they believe their driver deserves to win.
Nominations are open to all licensed taxi drivers across Britain, regardless of whether they are Acorn Insurance customers. Entries close at midnight on Sunday 4th October 2026.
Terms and conditions apply. Please visit www.acorninsure.co.uk/taxi-hero-award/ for more information.