Job Description

Taxi drivers either work in traditional hackney cabs or in private hire vehicles. They expected to know the best route for their customers and will need to have a good memory. Drivers will need to be competent handling money and good at communicating with their customers.

Entry Requirements

You can get into this job through:

College

You could to do a short college course, which could give you an advantage when looking for work. There would be a course fee.

Introduction to the Role of the Professional Taxi and Private Hire Driver Level 2 course is at West Suffolk College and Suffolk New College.

There are no formal entry requirements for this course, but delegates will be required to be over 19 and have a good understanding of English.

Direct Application

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.

Restrictions and Requirements

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.

You'll need to:

• have a full UK or EU driving licence, held for at least 12 months (3 years in London)
• pass a criminal records check
• pass a medical
• be over 18 (21 in many areas, including London)
• pass a geographical test (the 'knowledge' in London)
• meet the English language requirement (if in London)

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

Although this job role does not require formal qualifications, we highly recommend that you try to achieve at least a grade 4 (C) in English & Maths. Achieving this minimum grade in these subject will increase opportunities in the future and help with your career development and prospects.

If you don't achieve the minimum grades, you will be supported to continue to study English and Maths throughout your full-time education or an apprenticeship.

Career Path and 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.

Related careers you may be interested in:

• Train driver
• Bus or coach driver
• Chauffeur
• Community transport driver
• Tram driver

Required Skills

• Excellent driving skills
• Awareness of road safety
• Good interpersonal skills
• Ability to deal with difficult customers in a calm manner
• Good customer service
• Good knowledge of the area you are operating in

Salary Range

£14,000 to £30,000