How to become a Taxi Driver

£25,000/y

avg. starting salary

Thinking of becoming a Taxi Driver? Fare enough… Taxi Drivers pick up and transport passengers to their destinations, getting them there as quickly and as safely as possible. There are two main types of Taxi you can drive, Hackney carriages (a.k.a. ‘black cabs’) or private hire vehicles, and drivers may work for taxi companies or be self-employed. However, whichever type you choose to drive, taxis are an important and integral part of a city’s transport system, and one many people simply couldn’t imagine living without. Primarily, people who really, really dislike buses... Typical duties for a Taxi Driver may include:

Taking job requests via radio or on-board computer (see also: people sticking their hands up and waving)
Picking up passengers and delivering them to their destinations
Assisting passengers with any luggage or belongings they may have
Calculating fares and taking payments
Keeping your vehicle safe, clean and roadworthy

First and foremost, you’ll need to be comfortable behind the wheel if you’re thinking about becoming a Taxi Driver. You’ll also often be working long shifts and irregular hours, with evenings and weekends generally being your busiest times. If you’re someone who gets bored of being on the road rather quickly, this might not be your true calling. Other key skills for a Taxi driver include:

Excellent interpersonal skills
Good local knowledge
Empathy and the ability to speak to people from all walks of life
Flexibility
Time management skills
The ability to repeatedly answer questions such as ‘Been busy tonight?’ and ‘What time do you finish?’ without losing the will to live

"I’ve been doing driving jobs for most of my adult life really. I started with long-distance lorry driving, but I hated how lonely it got, which is the great thing about being a cabbie. The chat can get a bit boring sometimes, but you’re always meeting new people and getting a little window into their life. Also, you don’t tend to get a lot of tips driving lorries. So there is that…"

Get qualified

There aren’t any specific qualifications needed to become a Taxi Driver. However, aside from a driving license, you will need an operator’s license (issued by your local council), be over the age of 21 and pass a DBS check in order to get started. In some places you may also need a test of geographical locations, commonly known in London as ‘The Knowledge’.

Recommended Taxi Driver courses

Safeguarding for Taxi Drivers

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100% Passing Rate | 3 Courses Bundle | CPD Certified | Free PDF Certificate | Free Exam | Lifetime Access
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...for Taxi Drivers Bundle consists the following career oriented courses: ➥ Course 01: Safeguarding for Taxi Drivers ➥ Course 02: Vulnerability, Abuse & Safeguarding ➥ Course 03: Car Maintenance and Driver Safety Training Key Features of the Safeguarding for Taxi Drivers Course …
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...course, you will discover the fundamentals of Safeguarding Training For Taxi Drivers and explore the key topics such as: Safeguarding Training For Taxi Drivers Module 01: Introduction to Safeguarding for Taxi Drivers Module 02: Understanding Abuse Module 03: Understanding Your Safeguarding …
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