Feeling some form of contentment or enjoyment within your job is important – after all, we spend the majority of our time working, so if you are unhappy with your job, it can soon permeate other aspects of your life. Fortunately, you have a choice; you aren’t tied into any job, and you can change careers as much as you like until you find the right fit. If taxi driving is something that you have considered, then read on to learn more about working in the transportation industry.
The Freedom
One of the biggest draws to working as a taxi driver is the freedom that it affords you. Being their own boss is actually a fairly common ambition that a lot of people have. It can even entice people to leave their steady and reliable nine-to-fives. Most taxi drivers are self-employed to an extent, even if they work for a firm. This is because they tend to dictate the hours they want to work, although there is a potential downside to this because you could be limiting your earning potential. In some instances, it is necessary to work evenings and weekends to book more fares and make more money. That being said, if you live in a bustling metropolis, you are likely able to get by working more sociable hours because the demand will still be there.
You, for the most part, do get to dictate the hours that you want to work; however, this can be both a good thing and a bad thing. A typical working week will depend on whether or not you operate as a taxi that needs to be flagged down or private hire. If you are waiting for the fares to come to you, then this could mean upwards of sixty-hour working weeks in order to earn enough. Otherwise, you could strategically build your schedule to ensure that you are efficiently booking fares to limit the number of hours you are working. Depending on where you plan to operate, you could reach out to the local council, and they might be able to outline the likely availability of work considering the amount of taxis in the area.
Expenses to Consider
The expenses of a taxi driver can vary dramatically because they are dependent on their individual circumstances. You need to think about the frequency of the expenses; some will need to be considered weekly, others monthly or maybe even annually. First and foremost is the cost of the vehicle itself. You have a few options in this regard. You could choose to work for a company that has its own fleet and provides you with a vehicle to work from, you may find a business that offers to rent you a vehicle, or you might wish to purchase your own. In that respect, it is difficult to estimate the price of the vehicle. If you do choose to buy your own, then you can choose between a new or used cab. Cab Direct has a range of vehicles, and they offer finance options, too, so be sure to check them out.
Once you have figured out what you are going to do about the vehicle, it is then time to insure it. If you are working for a firm that provides you with a car from its fleet, then this is something that they will have likely also taken care of. If you are renting the vehicle, then you might be able to find a rental which includes insurance. Otherwise, it is up to you to insure the vehicle. Box standard car insurance isn’t enough; you need private hire car or taxi insurance. The costs are determined in much the same way as traditional car insurance. The only difference is that they take into account the additional liability that you have. You should still be able to choose whether or not you want to pay for the insurance monthly or annually.
You are likely to need a meter, and if you work for a firm, then the likelihood is that you will need a radio too. These are sometimes provided for you, or you can rent them from the firm on a weekly or monthly basis. A radio isn’t always necessary, especially if you are self-employed and you don’t need to report back to a central hub. You might not need a meter either if you work for a company like Uber that sets the prices beforehand. However, if you want to work on a more casual basis and allow customers to flag you down, then you need a meter. Another potentially significant cost to consider is the price of fuelling your vehicle. This is, of course, relative; it will depend on the way in which you drive, the fares you take, the roads used, the fuel efficiency of your vehicle and, of course, the actual cost of fuel per litre. You might also need to pay for a licence and to register as a taxi driver. The vehicle needs to be taxed and have a valid MOT too.
Potential Earnings
One of the biggest determining factors when it comes to working out whether a career change is going to make sense or not is the salary. Is driving a taxi lucrative? Well, it is hard to say; there are a lot of factors at play. Your salary is going to be determined by things like:
- Whether or not you are working on a prebooked, private hire or finding a fare basis
- The vehicle cost and whether you own or rent
- The cost of fuel
- The cost of insuring the vehicle
- The cost of maintaining the vehicle
- The price of the fares
- Hours worked
In the end, most taxi drivers, on average, tend to bring in between twenty-five and thirty thousand a year, but it really can fluctuate depending on the factors mentioned above. If you want to bring up these earnings, then you are likely to need to work long hours, most of which will be unsociable, so it is a trade-off that you need to be willing to make.
A Typical Day
While there isn’t really a typical day, so to speak, because the fares are going to be different, your days are obviously going to consist of driving – picking up fares and dropping them off. The passengers are all likely to be somewhat different too. Some of them might be gregarious and want to talk, and others might want to drive in companionable silence. It is important that you know how to read people and match their energy. The most challenging passengers are likely to come during the evening after the pubs and bars have closed. You should do your best to always be polite; after all, you are working alone, and your safety is far more important than any fare. A lot of taxi drivers today choose to install cameras to protect themselves.
Final Thoughts
Realistically, the biggest incentive for a career change is money and freedom and driving a taxi does offer you both to varying degrees. Ultimately, your success will depend on how hard you are willing to work. As with most industries, the harder you work and the more hours you put in, the more money you will earn. This again speaks to the freedom that the role offers you; you really are in control. This also has its drawbacks, and it is not a job without risk. Make sure that you keep these things in mind.
