Taxi Driver

Typical Salary

£14,000 To £30,000

Typical Hours

41 to 43 a week

evenings / weekends / bank holidays on shifts

How To Become a Taxi Driver

You can get into this job through:

a college course
applying directly

College / University

You may be able to do a college course, which could give you an advantage when looking for work. Courses include:

Level 2 Certificate in Road Passenger Vehicle Driving - Taxi and Private Hire
Level 2 Certificate in Introduction to the Role of the Professional Taxi and Private Hire Driver

2 or more GCSEs at grades 9 to 3 (A* to D), or equivalent, for a level 2 course

Apprenticeship

Apprenticeship are not listed for this job.

Routes into this Career

Routes into this Career are not listed for this job.

You can apply directly to become a taxi driver if you've got a taxi driver's licence. This is often a common way into this job.

You'll need to meet the registration and licensing requirements of the taxi company you'll be working for and the local authority area where you'll operate. You'll usually need your own vehicle.

Other Routes

Other Routes are not listed for this job.

Skills And Knowledge

You'll need:

customer service skills
excellent verbal communication skills
active listening skills
the ability to work well with others
patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
the ability to accept criticism and work well under pressure
knowledge of public safety and security
to be thorough and pay attention to detail
to be able to carry out basic tasks on a computer or hand-held device

Day To Day Tasks

In this job, you will:

take job details over the radio, by phone, on the in-car computer or via an app
help to load and unload passengers' luggage
help passengers to get in and out of the vehicle if required
take payments for fares or log them online
keep your vehicle clean and in a roadworthy condition
make sure accounts and records up to date

Working Environment

You could work from a vehicle.

Your working environment may be emotionally demanding and you'll travel often.

Career Path & Progression

If you're employed by a larger taxi firm, you could become a supervisor or manager in the dispatch control room. You could also move into taxi licensing with a local authority.

As a self-employed driver, you could become a taxi operator and increase your earnings by running a private hire firm, employing other drivers.

Volunteering Opportunities

Volunteering Opportunities are not listed for this job.

Tips & Information

Registration

you'll need a taxi driver's licence from your local council's licensing unit or Transport for London (TfL), if you want to work in the capital

Further information

You can get more details about working as a taxi driver from Careers That Move and the National Private Hire Association.

Restrictions & Requirements

You'll need to:

complete a driving skills assessment
have a full UK or EU driving licence, held for at least 12 months, or 3 years if working in London
pass background checks
pass a medical check
be over 18 but over 21 in some areas, including London
pass a local geography test, known as 'The Knowledge' if working in London
if you work in London, you'll need to meet the English language requirement

If you're a private hire driver, you'll need hire or reward insurance. You may also want to take out public liability insurance.