Any taxi drivers out there?

no-oneknowsme

I know it isnt relevant to the OP as she has already stated that she owns a car herself and so doesnt need to drive her Husbands taxi for social purposes but incase it helps any others reading the post , it is perfectly legal to have another driver listed on your taxi insurance policy who will use the car for SDP purposes.

Read this link ;http://www.taxi-insurance.uk.com

dallydoolittle

Thanks again everyone for the advise, there are a list of phone calls he will be making tomorrow.

Really is appreciated :j

I forgot to mention we are based in Shropshire, I know the councils vary so much from one area to another.

arcon5

CKhalvashi wrote: »

We’ve owned the same company twice (2002 to 2009, then March to now), and in 2007-8, it was common to see drivers under 25 go from £2k to nearer £7k.

It depends on what you’re driving (we’ve got group arrangements with the dealership for servicing, free upgrades etc, so use Skoda/VW), but about 40% of our fleet is 6/8 seater (in Taxi speak), which would be the reason for the high averages.

At the same time, some of ours do 70-80k a year, and we’re on a 10m mile collective policy. Swinton are the cheapest for fleet in our particular case.

CK

I mean £50/wk is not a good deal for ops OHs circumstances. It seems he will be the only driver for his vehicle, doing probably about 40-50k miles for himself.

Your policy on the other hand will be used for 2 shifts per day, most days and allow any licensed driver to use the vehicle (subject to a min.criteria obviously). So £50 per week is more appropriate.

arcon5

CKhalvashi wrote: »

Elegance spec with 1.6 TDi?! Nearer £20k new in the spec we have and £14-15k used. It’s not easy to get rid of 3/4 vehicles a month, which is the point where leasing comes in useful; especially when the cars have between 210 and 250k on them!

I think we're on different wave lengths to be honest. I don't think leasing would be the more profitable route for op - who is making a living from driving the cab. You on the other hand are operating on a commercial scale to may well benefit from leasing.

patman99

CKhalvashi wrote: »

I own the largest cab firm in the town I live in.

We’ve got Swindon insurance on the fleet; £10m PL at about £2k a car (he’ll get it cheaper, as he won’t be on an ‘any driver’ policy.

You’re also better off leasing than buying, as there are rules of what can be claimed as business expenses. We use Trans City Skoda (Walthamstow) to do ours. A fleet of 40 Octavias, renewed every 3 years, works out at about £72/week each. If he wants a 6 seater, give the Caddy Maxi a go; about £92/week, or Transporter is about £117/week.

CK

Thought you had bought a load of ex-Addison-Lee Galaxy's?.

The Octavia is a better choice than a Mondeo (very unreliable).

OP, as for insurance, a friend used to run a private hire firm and this was always a headache as he had two cars both plated, which he also needed for SDP. If I remember correctly, he had to specify he wanted SDP on the policy. The extra cost was less than buying a car specifically for non-taxi use.

paddedjohn

People on here are referring to insurance to enable them to drive their taxis for sdp, it got nothing to to with the insurance really it's the councils who say that a plated car can't be used for any other reson than to taxi, some councils allow other usage but not many

mchale

http://www.acorninsure.co.uk/

http://www.freewayinsurance.co.uk/

Wig

no-oneknowsme wrote: »

As mentioned before , this isnt set in stone! It actually varies between councils.

Personally we are from Northern Ireland and I can quite legally drive my Husbands taxi if I am using itfor my own SDP purposes.

This is very much set in stone

TPCA 1847
46 Drivers not to act without first obtaining a licence. E+W+S+N.I.(ENGLAND WALES SCOTLAND & NORTHERN IRELAND)

No person shall act as driver of any hackney carriage licensed in pursuance of this or the special Act to ply for hire within the prescribed distance without first obtaining a licence from the commissioners, which licence shall be registered by the clerk to the commissioners, [F5and such fee as the commissioners may determine shall be paid,] for the same; and every such licence shall be in force until the same is revoked, except during the time that the same may be suspended as after mentioned.

Wig

Regarding leasing/owning, he should speak to a tax expert or atleast his accountant.

When he starts a new buisness as an owner driver, he may be able to offset the full value of the car against his 1st years income tax if it is a 110g/km car or less, if it's a 160 -110 g/km car then 20% for the 1st year, the value balance carried over for subsequent years. If he uses the car for non business use these may be reduced.

rev_henry

Wig wrote: »

This is very much set in stone

TPCA 1847
46 Drivers not to act without first obtaining a licence. E+W+S+N.I.(ENGLAND WALES SCOTLAND & NORTHERN IRELAND)

No person shall act as driver of any hackney carriage licensed in pursuance of this or the special Act to ply for hire within the prescribed distance without first obtaining a licence from the commissioners, which licence shall be registered by the clerk to the commissioners, [F5and such fee as the commissioners may determine shall be paid,] for the same; and every such licence shall be in force until the same is revoked, except during the time that the same may be suspended as after mentioned.

That seems to be about hackney cabs though, I suspect people are talking about private hire.