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Are you currently sat behind your desk thinking about ways to escape the normal 9-5 life? It may not have been a career you thought of, but applying to become a taxi driver could be a step in the right direction.
These days, a taxi driver can make £30k plus a year, on top of that, many are self-employed which means they work the hours they choose and have only themselves to answer for. Sound like a good deal? If this is something you’re considering as a potential career change then there are some things you should do before you delve into the world of the taxi driver…
Find a company
Before you hit the road, you need to find a company to work for. This includes private hire companies, Black cabs and also online companies such as Uber. Although Uber operates a different system to the traditional taxi rank they are still a company that you should consider.
Not all taxi companies will have vacancies open, therefore it might be a good idea to research outside your local area as there may be other smaller taxi ranks outside of city centres.
If a rank does have availability then they will be able to tell you how many hours they expect you to be on the roads, how long the shifts are and what times, as well as the rate of pay. From here, you will be able to compare taxi ranks and see which one suits your circumstances the most.
Contact your local council
There are several laws that come into play when you are a taxi driver, most importantly you need to have a license. In order to obtain one, you need to contact your local council. From here you will need to give them the relevant information to make sure you fit the criteria and can become a taxi driver.
As well as having a category B (car) UK driving license, some local councils will also request that you have held your license for at least three years, so this is something you need to be sure of. Likewise, it is likely that your council will ask you to take part in a taxi/private hire assessment test. This test has been created to ensure that you meet the required standards of driving before becoming a driver.
On top of these factors having a DBS check is also an essential for a taxi driver. A DBS, Disclosure and Barring Service was formally known as a CRB, Criminal Records Bureau and checks whether you have been involved in any convictions that may prohibit you from working with the general public. When you agree to work with a taxi rank you must agree to have a DSB check to make sure you are able to drive the public.
Discover the city you’re working in
Once you’ve got set up with a company you need to cover yourself and those in your vehicle and make sure you have valid insurance. Check Car.co.uk for taxi specific insurance quotes.
From here it’s down to you to learn the ropes and get to grips with the city you’ll be working in. It is likely that you will have a navigation system, however, it is vital to know the city well to speed things up and also in-case of traffic or roadworks and you need to divert.
If you’re applying to work in a London Black cab, you’ll have to take part in the infamous Knowledge test. This is a test designed to prove that you know the streets of London and includes 320 routes, 20,000 landmarks and 25,000 streets. So, if you’re applying for this, good luck!
This is a collaborative post.
Welcome to Birds and Lilies! I'm Lou: mother, blogger and freelance writer. This is my lifestyle blog, where I talk about motherhood, infertility and IVF, beauty, my love for food and wine, as well as my thoughts about stuff, and our real-life and travel adventures.
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