Q6. Can taxi drivers refuse to receive small changes?
It depends on whether the passengers are giving coins not complying with Section 2(1) of the Coinage Ordinance (Cap. 454).
Under Section 2(1) of the Coinage Ordinance (Cap. 454) :-
- The Chief Executive in Council may, by order, authorize the issue of coins with the design and of the denomination, composition, standard weight and remedy allowance specified in the order, and such coins shall, provided they have not been dealt with in any manner prohibited by law, be legal tender for payment as follows—
- for coins of denominations of not less than $1, for the payment of an amount not exceeding $100;
- for coins of denominations of less than $1, for the payment of an amount not exceeding $2.
- Each coin shall be legal tender only for the amount of its denomination.
Accordingly, the passenger cannot pay coins of denominations of less than $1, for the payment of an amount exceeding $2, or for coins of denominations of not less than $1, for the payment of an amount exceeding $100.
However, even if the requirement of Section 2(1) of the Coinage Ordinance (Cap. 454) has been complied with, Section 2(1) of the Coinage Ordinance (Cap. 454) does not compel a taxi driver to accept small changes. This is because the medium of exchange is a matter of contract as between the parties. The driver of taxi is entitled to state under the contract that he doesn’t receive small changes. However, if the taxi drivers do not wish to accept small changes, the driver should have mentioned this to a passenger before the beginning of the journey or conclusion of the contract. If the taxi has told this requirement to the passenger, then the driver is not bound to accept small changes as Section 2(1) of the Coinage Ordinance (Cap. 454) does not compel a taxi driver to receive small changes.