Since we have moved here I have noticed that taxi drivers are a law to themselves, there is no consistancy re charges and they have a problem with putting on the meter. Are you within your rights to ask them to put it on?

Where are you?  Regulations for taxis are set by local governments, not national, I think. I’ve never had a problem in Madrid, BCN, Granada, Jaen….. they always put the metre on and they’re generally cheap.  I have noticed they can be slow to return change, though, even if the difference is quite great (no, I would not tip 9 euros on an 11 euro fare!).