Up My Income (Taxi Driver)

skegyuk

Hi All,

I was hoping for some advise in regards to upping my income.

I currently work full time in IT and run a small online business.

I was hoping to purchase a car and convert it to a taxi. My question is? Can I share the taxi with a friend, e.g. could I do 3 nights a week taxi work and my friend use the car in between. This way we can share the costs of running and also the car could be used all day every day maximising income.

We would both be willing to pass the tests / checks but the only difference is that we are sharing a car and don't earn one each.

Also, does anyone have any advise on how much you can earn as a taxi driver?

Thanks,
Danny

oliverr

My next door neighbour was a taxi driver for 20 plus years and has just retired - he said he was earning very little, and our council has stopped new licenses being registered. Ask any taxi driver and they will tell you how long they have to work, for not much money - many have to do atleast a 11, 12 hour shift just to get enough money.

Fuel is expensive, radio rental, taxi license not to mention constant repairs etc. I'm not a taxi driver but often talk to my neighbour and he's never had a positive word to say. Maybe someone on here who is actually a taxi driver will be able to give a better insight but I would seriously reconsider if I were you.

skegyuk

Hi,

Thanks for the reply! I might try and find a local taxi driver to quizz and see what they earn etc, would be good to know before hand as the licence etc is very expensive and I don't want to commit if there is no money to be made!

Thanks,
Danny

oliverr

skegyuk wrote: »

Hi,

Thanks for the reply! I might try and find a local taxi driver to quizz and see what they earn etc, would be good to know before hand as the licence etc is very expensive and I don't want to commit if there is no money to be made!

Thanks,
Danny

Yes, try having a word with local cabbies to get an idea, but from what I've heard it's a far from rosey situation. Not sure where you are and what the situation is like where you are. Were you considering a hackney lisence or a private hire lisence?

skegyuk

Hi,

I am around the Newbury (Berkshire area). I am guessing I would try and work the busier times e.g. Friday Sat Night. I would also think about airport runs.

Thanks,
Danny

oliverr

skegyuk wrote: »

Hi,

I am around the Newbury (Berkshire area). I am guessing I would try and work the busier times e.g. Friday Sat Night. I would also think about airport runs.

Thanks,
Danny

Not familiar with the area but it would be a good idea to chat to cabbies or people on here who have a first hand experience of the trade, I was just letting you know what I was lead to believe.

skegyuk

Yeah definitely. I have a feeling it is a fruitless idea!

googler

Many black cab drivers share the use of a vehicle, with one owning it, the other(s) 'renting' it for a shift, so yes - it's possible.

Is there a shortage of taxis and private hire cars in your area? If so, your plan might be a good one, but if there are already established firms with their name out there, how would you plan to take business from them?

Why not ask the local firms if they have opportunities for you to rent a vehicle from one of their established drivers, or apply for a position with one of them, then you'll get more of an idea of the lay of the land from those in the business. Don't suggest that you're doing research in order to start up in competition to them, though....

skegyuk

Hi,

Thanks for confirming that I can share the can that is good news!

I will check around some local firms and also check to see if the local area need cabbies!

Thanks,
Danny

Kayalana99

skegyuk wrote: »

Hi,

Thanks for confirming that I can share the can that is good news!

I will check around some local firms and also check to see if the local area need cabbies!

Thanks,
Danny

Just some information, we spoke to a taxi driver once when we was having a ride about his pay. He paid out £100 week to the taxi firm for the radio box so basicly he worked out that the first 12hours he was working for nothing...anything after that was his. (You could actally do the maths on that cause I do remember that figure being correct)

He basicly said that unless your going to put the hours in its not worth it, say you work 40hours you'd make a living...but if you worked 60hours that week you could make big money because the £400 has already been paid and it was all in your pocket..minus the obvouis expences ofc :-)

skegyuk

Hi,

Ah I see, so if I was to do it part time it sounds like the radio rental would eat into my bottom line!

I was also thinking of only doing airport runs maybe, this way I would need need a radio, is that correct?

Thanks,
Danny