Taxi Driver UK

Careers Advice > Jobs and Careers > Job Profiles > 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, you would pick up passengers and take them to their destination by the quickest and safest route. Your main responsibilities would include:
taking job details over the radio from the operator 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. You might also make longer-distance trips such as taking people to airports, or to and from concerts and in other towns.

What qualifications and experience will employers look for?

You do not need any particular 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 council (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:
pass 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.

You could work towards 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?

GoSkills
Concorde House
Trinity Park
Solihull
Birmingham
B37 7UQ
Tel: 0121 635 5520
http://www.goskills.org

National Private Hire Association
8 Silver Street
Bury
Lancashire
BL9 0EX
Tel: 0161 280 2800
http://www.phtm.co.uk

Transport Office
http://www.transportoffice.gov.uk

DVLNI
County Hall
Castlerock Road
Coleraine
BT51 3TB
Tel: 0845 402 4000
http://www.dvlni.gov.uk

Public Carriage Office (PCO)
15 Penton Street
London
N1 9PU
Tel: 0845 300 7000
http://www.tfl.gov.uk/pco

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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, 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 maths skills for cash handling, and accounts (if self-employed)
an 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. 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. You can find jobs advertised in the local 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 council.

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