If you enjoy driving and like people, working as a taxi driver might be for you.
Working as a taxi driver can be a rewarding and lively job. There are a range of skills needed including a good memory, good communication skills and being competent handling money.
Some taxi drivers are employed by operating companies where they hire a company vehicle. However, if you decide you would rather be self employed starting a firm or becoming an operator yourself then you will be responsible for your own taxi insurance as well as the initial company start up costs.
To work as a taxi driver in Britain you must be aged 21 or over. No official qualifications are required, but you must have a full, valid, driving licence. Taxi drivers must pass a criminal records bureau check and for some companies you need to have held a clean licence for up to three years.
Depending on where in the country you wish to work, you may have to take a test or exam about the local area. Working as a taxi driver in London is notorious for the extensive knowledge that must be learnt in order to pass the test.
Although there is no official training for taxi drivers, there are some training schemes that cover subjects related to the job. Prospective taxi drivers that undertake the course often find it useful as topics such as communicating with a radio; customer care and local routes are covered.
Drivers can obtain the BTEC Level 2 Certificate in Transporting Passengers qualification. The course is available to both prospective drivers and those already established in the profession.
As a new taxi driver you would either work in a traditional hackney cab or in a private hire vehicle. The numbers of hackney carriage licenses are limited so there is only a certain amount for each area, but there is no limit for private hire vehicles.