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How to become a Taxi Driver

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Career progression and salary expectations for a Taxi Driver

Taxi Driver

| Up to £25,000

The role of a Taxi Driver

What does a Taxi Driver do?

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

Is a career as a Taxi Driver right for me?

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

What's it like to be a Taxi Driver?

"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 as a Taxi Driver

To become a Taxi Driver in the UK, you must be at least 18 years old and hold a valid UK driver's license. You'll then need to apply for a Taxi Driver License (TDL) from the local licensing authority, which typically involves passing a knowledge test assessing local road knowledge, undergoing a medical examination, and a criminal record check.

Additionally, if you plan to use your own vehicle, it must meet licensing requirements set by the local authority. Once licensed, you'll need to comply with regulations, including license renewal and vehicle maintenance, to legally operate as a Taxi Driver.

Courses that enhance your driving skills, customer service abilities, and knowledge of relevant regulations may also be beneficial.

Recommended Taxi Driver courses

Safeguarding Training For Taxi Drivers

NextGen Learning

CPD Certified > Flash Deal > Free PDF Certificate > Lifetime Access > Free Assessment > 24x7 Tutor Support
- Compare
- Online
- 2 hours · Self-paced
- 10 CPD points
- Tutor support
Great service

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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 …
£12
Safeguarding for Taxi Drivers

Compliance Central

CPD Accredited Course | Advanced Study Materials | Free Certificate | Lifetime Certificate | 24/7 Expert Support
- Compare
- 33 students
- Online
- 2 hours · Self-paced
- Certificate(s) included
- 10 CPD points
- Tutor support
Great service

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...Internet Child Employment This self-paced course is suitable for anyone who: Is a taxi driver or an uber driver Is planning to work as a taxi driver or an uber driver Frequently travels by taxi or uber Wants to help out the community by spreading awareness Wants to educate themselves …
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£12 £19