What do you need to become a taxi driver in the UK?

You can take on a career behind a wheel for an entire workday or just boost your monthly income with a few hours a day. And here is the most important benefit of driving a taxi – the flexible work hours. More and more people are enticed by this and are looking for ways to become a taxi driver.

What it takes to be a taxi driver

Your first task is to obtain a valid driver’s licence for the UK and to have been holding it for at least 12 months. There are additional requirements that you need to pass, depending on the UK area you want to work in:

• pass background checks;
• complete a driving skills assessment;
• take a geography test;
• get a medical.

Of course, having good English is a must if you want to be successful in your endeavour and all taxi companies will require you to have that.

The actual licensing requirements differ from one local area to another, so it’s best to contact your local authority and find what you need to do to become a taxi driver. Consider the pricing of the license, as well as the knowledge assessment. Being a private hire driver will require you to have taxi insurance, so add that to the total costs of obtaining all needed documents. Public liability is also a good idea.

Personal qualities of the successful taxi driver

There is a number of personal qualities that will be ideal if you want to start and maintain a successful career in the taxi industry:

• having excellent communication skills;
• offering good customer service;
• having the ability to work well with others;
• being an active listener;
• having patience and the ability to remain calm when under pressure;
• being thorough and paying attention to details;
• having general knowledge of public safety;
• being able to handle basic tasks with a computer or a smartphone;
• having general knowledge of the geographical area and its points of interest where you will be working.

The taxi driver’s career path

So, you’ve rounded up all your documents and qualifications, and you’re ready to step on the road? Your first option would be to apply for open positions in order to gain valuable experience while having a stable income. Once you’ve had a few years of experience behind your back, you can attempt to become a self-employed taxi driver or even open your own business. However, in order to run a successful business, you’ll need to develop a variety of job-related skills, so the experience is crucial for success.

What type of taxi to drive?

In the UK, there are two options – a private hire vehicle, or a Hackney carriage. The Hackney carriages (like those iconic black cabs in London) can be hailed from the street by passengers or be aborded from special taxi ranks. This will allow you to find jobs easily and have a really flexible schedule, as you’ll go out in the streets only when you want to. On the other hand, private hire cabs should be booked by the passengers in advance via phone or an online booking system. This will allow you to be less on the streets but will limit your schedule flexibility as you’ll need to be available whenever a customer needs you.