Taxi drivers drive 'black cabs' (the traditional hackney carriages) and private hire vehicles, often known as minicabs. They pick up passengers and take them to their destination, working out the fastest and most efficient route and charging. 

Other day-to-day tasks include:

• helping to load and unload passengers' luggage
• helping passengers to get in and out of the vehicle  
• keeping the vehicle clean and in a roadworthy condition
• dealing with money – mainly cash payments, although self-employed drivers will also keep their own accounts and deal with tax returns.

While the driving skills are the same, there are differences between driving a black cab and a minicab. Minicab drivers are linked by radio to an operating centre that relays details of where to pick up the next customer. They can only collect pre-booked passengers and cannot be flagged down on the street. Black cab drivers can be booked in advance but can also wait at official taxi ranks or pick up passengers while on the move, especially around busy areas, such as railway stations, airports, shopping centres, hotels and pubs.

Some drivers combine normal duties with contract work like school runs. Other specialise in longer-distance work such as airport jobs or taking parties to and from concerts, theatres and nightclubs in other towns.

Hours and Environment

As a taxi driver you will often work between 40 and 60 hours a week, including evenings, nights and weekends. Friday and Saturday evenings will usually be your busiest time.

You spend most of your time at the wheel, driving to and from destinations, sometimes in heavy traffic.

Skills and Interests

To be a taxi driver, you need:

• good driving skills and an awareness of road safety 
• a detailed knowledge of the area, including street names, major landmarks and one-way systems
• the ability to manage and plan your own time
• good communication skills
• an awareness of disabled access issues 
• the ability to remain calm in heavy traffic
• the ability to deal politely but firmly with angry or drunken passengers
• good numeracy skills for cash handling, and accounts (if self-employed)
• a sound understanding of laws and regulations relating to licensing, insurance and road use.

Entry

You do not need any formal qualifications to become a taxi driver but you will need a operator's licence. You can get this from your local licensing unit, which is usually part of your local authority (or the Public Carriage Office in London and the DVLNI in Northern Ireland).

Each unit has its own conditions of licence, but you which normally need:

• a criminal records check
• to be over 21 (18 in Northern Ireland)
• to pass a geographical knowledge test and/or a driving test (in some cities)
• a medical assessment
• to have held a full driving licence for at least 12 months (3 years in London).

In London, the geographical knowledge test is called 'The Knowledge' and takes an average of 34 months to prepare for and pass. See the Public Carriage Office (PCO) website in Further Information for more details.

Some authorities may set their own driving tests for potential taxi drivers. The Driving Standards Agency (DSA) has recently 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 start-up details from the National Private Hire Association. 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 websites for the DSA and NPHA in Further Information, for more details about the driver assessments and working in private hire.

Training

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.

Once you are working, you can complete the NVQ/SVQ award in Road Passenger Transport at Level 2, specialising in Taxi or Private Hire, which is awarded by Edexcel, SQA and GOAL.

You can also consider the Edexcel BTEC Certificate in Transporting Passengers by Taxi and Private Hire at Level 2. This is a short programme designed to support new entrants; drivers who want to take continuing professional development; and drivers who want to update their qualifications after an absence from driving.

See the contacts in Further Information for more details about training and qualifications.

Opportunities

Opportunities exist in every part of the country, particularly in the large towns and cities, although you may have to join a waiting list for a hackney carriage licence, as these are limited.

You can 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, including tax and National Insurance.

As a self-employed driver, you can progress to become an operator and increase your earnings by running a private hire firm. In England and Wales, you will need an operator’s licence issued by your local authority.

Annual Income

Figures are intended as a guideline only. There is no average income for taxi drivers as earnings depend on the level of fares, the number of journeys made, and the hours worked.

A successful taxi driver working an average of 40 hours a week in a major city can expect to earn around £12,000 to £16,000 a year.
Some taxi drivers earn up to £30,000 a year.

Further information

Concorde House
Trinity Park
Solihull
Birmingham
B37 7UQ
Tel: 0121 635 5520 Stanley House
56 Talbot Street
Nottingham
NG1 5GU
Tel: 0115 901 2500 County Hall
Castlerock Road
Coleraine
BT51 3TB
Tel: 0845 402 4000 15 Penton Street
London
N1 9PU
Tel: 0845 602 7000