I'm not certain that this is what the OP was referring to, but this is what I thought of: http://www.possupply.com/media/catalog/category/4850-CC-Imprinter.jpg

I'm not certain that this is what the OP was referring to, but this is what I thought of: http://www.possupply.com/media/catalog/category/4850-CC-Imprinter.jpg http://www.possupply.com/media/catalog/category/4850-CC-Impr... It's a machine that you use with copy paper and slide it over the card. The name and numbers are raised up on most credit cards and leave an imprint on the paper. The cardholder then signs the paper. I've used them when I worked at a department store for customers who's magnetic strip had worn out to the point that our computers couldn't read the card. I imagine the main reasons for a taxi driver to use one is that 1) it's cheap and reliable, and 2) it works offline.