Taxi Driver
What is the work like?
Taxis play an important part of any town or city's transport system and they usually come in two varieties – a 'black cab' (the traditional hackney carriage) or a private hire vehicle, often known as a minicab.
As a taxi driver, your job would be to pick up passengers and take them to their destination, following the quickest and safest route. Your main responsibilities would include:
- taking job details over the radio from the operator back at the office
- helping to load and unload passengers' luggage
- helping passengers to get in and out of the vehicle if required
- taking payments for fares
- keeping the vehicle clean and in a roadworthy condition
- keeping accounts and records up to date if self-employed.
If you drive a black cab you could be booked in advance, wait at an official taxi rank or pick up passengers while on the move, for example at railway stations and busy shopping areas. If you work as a minicab driver, you would only collect pre-booked passengers. You could not be flagged down in the street.
You may be able to combine normal 'pick-up' jobs with contract work such as school runs, or longer-distance trips like taking people to airports or to and from concerts and nightclubs in other towns.
What qualifications and experience will employers look for?
You do not need any specific qualifications to become a taxi driver but you will need an operator's licence. You can get this from the licensing unit of your local authority (or the Public Carriage Office in London and the DVLNI in Northern Ireland).
Each unit has its own conditions of licence, but you will normally need to:
- complete a criminal records check
- be over 21 (18 in Northern Ireland)
- pass a geographical knowledge test and/or a driving test (in some cities)
- pass a medical
- have held a full driving licence for at least 12 months (3 years in London).
In London, the geographical test is called 'The Knowledge' and takes on average 34 months to prepare for and pass. See the Public Carriage Office (PCO) website for more details.
Some authorities may set their own driving tests for potential taxi drivers. The Driving Standards Agency (DSA) has developed a Hackney Carriage Private Hire Test Assessment, which is also used by some licensing authorities.
If you are interested in driving private hire cars, you can get business start-up details from the National Private Hire Association (NPHA). The number of black cab taxi licences issued is limited, whereas private hire vehicle licences are more freely available. In all cases, you should contact your local licensing unit for for exact licensing requirements in your area.
See the NPHA and Transport Office websites for more details about taxi driving, tests and licensing.
What further training and development can I do?
Your local licensing authority may offer you training to help you meet their licence conditions. Schemes typically cover licence applications, radio procedures, customer care, disability awareness, basic mechanics, law and local geography.
Once you are working, you can complete the NVQ Level 2 in Road Passenger Transport, specialising in Taxi or Private Hire.
You could also take the BTEC Level 2 Certificate in Transporting Passengers by Taxi and Private Hire. This is a short course designed to support new drivers, and anyone who wants to update their qualifications after a break from driving.
Where can I go for more information?
Concorde HouseTrinity Park
Solihull
Birmingham
B37 7UQ
Tel: 0121 635 5520
Bury
Lancashire
BL9 0EX
Tel: 0161 280 2800
Castlerock Road
Coleraine
BT51 3TB
Tel: 0845 402 4000
London
N1 9PU
Tel: 0845 300 7000
If you would like to discuss your career options with a learning adviser at learndirect Careers Advice, call 0800 100 900 or use our online enquiry form
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What salary and other benefits can I expect?
- Drivers working an average of 40 hours a week in a major city can expect to earn between £12,000 and £20,000 a year.
- Some taxi drivers may be able to earn up to £30,000 a year.
Earnings would depend on the level of fares, the number of journeys made, and the hours worked.
Figures are intended as a guideline only.
What are the hours and working conditions?
This job allows you the flexibility to choose your hours but you are likely to find more work in the evenings and at weekends. Friday and Saturday evenings would normally be your busiest times. You could expect to work between 40 and 60 hours a week if full-time.
You would spend most of your time on the road, sometimes in heavy traffic.
What skills and knowledge will I need?
- good driving skills and an awareness of road safety
- a detailed knowledge of your area, including street names, major landmarks and one-way systems
- the ability to manage and plan your own time
- good customer care skills
- an awareness of disabled access issues
- the ability to deal politely but firmly with angry or drunken passengers
- good numeracy skills for cash handling, and accounts (if self-employed)
- a sound understanding of laws and regulations covering licensing, insurance and road use.
What opportunities are there?
You will find taxi driving opportunities in every part of the country, particularly in the large towns and cities. You may have to join a waiting list for a hackney carriage licence, as these are limited.
You could work for an operating company and rent a vehicle from them at a fixed rate or use your own car and cover your own costs, including tax and National Insurance. You can find jobs advertised in the press, in job centres and by contacting taxi firms directly.
As a self-employed driver, you could progress to become an operator and increase your earnings by running a private hire firm. To do this in England and Wales, you will need an operator’s licence issued by your local authority.
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