If you have a passion for cars then you’ve probably consider a career that involves driving at some point.
Driving a taxi is an extremely common type of driving job but in order to drive a taxi for a living there are certain steps you have to take.
Below are some FAQ to get you started
What’s the first step?
The first step to becoming a taxi driver is getting the right licence. The type of licence you need will depend on whether you want to drive a public or private hire taxi.
The requirements for becoming a taxi driver differ depending on which part of the country you want to be licenced in. For example if you apply for a licence in London then you’ll need to pass the notoriously difficult Knowledge test in order to acquire a licence.
What’s the difference between public hire and private hire?
The difference between public and private hire taxis is that private hire vehicles must be pre-booked by either phone or app. They also cannot display a ‘taxi’ sign on the vehicle.
A public hire taxi can pick up fares from the street. Black cabs are the most recognizable type of public hire taxis.
Will I need my own car?
In most cases, yes. It’s important to be aware of what requirements the company you want to work for has if you’re planning to buy a vehicle to use as a taxi. For example Uber requires that their drivers have a vehicle that’s 2008 or newer.
How much is insurance?
The cost of taxi insurance will depend on a few factors. Quite a big factor that affects cost is whether you’re insuring a public hire or private hire vehicle. The cost of insurance Uber insurance for example is considered to be a type of private hire insurance.
Other factors that affect the cost of a taxi insurance policy include –
- Your age
- The value of your vehicle
- How secure your vehicle is
- Where it’s parked
- The level of cover you get
- The insurance provider
Is it safe?
Something that many people wonder about is how safe driving a taxi for a living is. This is quite a tough question to answer since it will depend on a few factors. The truth is that driving a taxi can potentially be a dangerous job since there’s always the potential to pick up a person who is drunk or mentally unstable in some way. Knowing how to handle these types of situations comes with experience.