Taking the Taxi Route – What You Need to Know
There are many reasons why you would want to become a taxi driver, but is this driving a taxi the right profession for you? This guide will walk you through some of the pros and the cons of the industry.
Thinking of returning to work or a change of career path? Want to be your own boss? Do you need flexibility around your commitments and cold hard cash in your pocket at the end of a shift? A career in the taxi and private hire certainly delivers all of the above. But is taking the taxi route the right path for you?
What do you need to become a Taxi driver?
- You must be over the age of 21
- Have a legal right to work in the UK
- Have held a full driving license for a minimum of 12 months
- Passed DBS (Disclosure Barring Service) check
- Own And insure a vehicle
Is that all it takes?
A full UK license, DBS checks, and a liking for being behind the wheel is an excellent start, but really that’s just the tip of the iceberg of a career in a taxi and private hire. Liking something and being good at it are two entirely different things. If you take the plunge, you’ll be considered a professional driver and will need keen road awareness and sharp senses to succeed.
In addition, customers will expect you to know where they are going and how to get them there safely and efficiently. Sound knowledge of your local council is preferable but not essential, as with all navigational apps available, and the miles you’ll be putting in, you’ll soon pick it up!
What is essential is the ability to successfully manage your time – and time really is your greatest asset. You will be in full control of the hours you do and when you do them so to do well in this business you will need to be very self-determined.
Private Vs Public hire
Early on you will need to decide if you are offering a public or private hire service. There is one main difference in these services:
Public hire vehicles need to be licensed to be able to pick people up from the road on the go. For example, when you wave down a taxi or black cab, this vehicle will need a public hire license to be able to pick you up from the street.
Private hire drivers are only licensed to collect pre-booked journeys and are not allowed to pick up customers from the side of the road. Services like Uber and Ola fall into private hire, as do hire limos, minibusses, or any other type of transportation that has been pre-booked in advance.
What can I expect?
Hours
No longer will you need to worry about the 9-5 grind! Working for yourself, you choose the days and hours, but in practical terms, weekends and bank holidays are good choices for maximising income. The downside is that you’ll be at work when other people are out enjoying themselves – but there’s plenty of other jobs like that, and not as well paid as you’ll be.
If you had a late night, you don’t need to think about getting out of bed; if you prefer working at night rather than at the crack of dawn, the choice will be yours to make.
Regular work
Working for yourself is a risk. There I’ve said it. Peaks and troughs in demand will translate into ups and downs in income, but whether you are in the city or countryside people will always need a lift. If your work ethic is there, so will the cash.
If you are personable, reliable, and honest, you can quickly build up a regular customer base who will be happy to use you week in, week out. Meeting new people is a great part of the job, but you will also maintain relations that will last a long time in this line of work. Hospitals, transport hubs, and events can be good sources of income.
Pay
The sky’s the limit! Wages can be excellent, particularly if you choose to work during the weekends or busy times of the week where your services will be very much in demand. The immediacy of the cash is something most wage workers would find very appealing, although if you are working with a taxi app like Uber the pay won’t be as immediate.
The Downsides
As with all things in life, there are negatives to a potential change of career. Dealing with intoxicated or aggressive customers, people running off without paying and the accounts… with all that said, there is a world of freedom and opportunities for the right people with the right attitude.
In conclusion, there is much to think about before deciding to take on the Taxi Route. Consider all the factors above and think deeply if this career is for you.If you think so, know that it is never too late to start fresh, and give it a go!
When you’ve decided to take the taxi route and it’s time to insure your vehicle. Make sure to use Quote the Market’s taxi insurance price comparison, giving you some of the cheapest taxi insurance quotes on the market, regardless of your circumstances. To find ou t more about insuring your taxi visit our Taxi Insurance Guide, or click the button below to start a quote today!
