Work in the private car hire industry

Jackmumford

I appreciate our feedback and it’s definitely made me think about a thing or two, aren’t all these costs tax deductible, obviously you have to eat them up throughout the year but if claiming on all things isn’t the rebate high? Like you say more research is needed and If I think it’s viable I need to speak to an accountant

Jackmumford

From what I heard working for a taxi firm without offence to anyone is a dead end road as far as growth, i would be willing to spend money as an investment into my self and making my own business

AdrianC

Jackmumford wrote: »

I appreciate our feedback and it’s definitely made me think about a thing or two, aren’t all these costs tax deductible, obviously you have to eat them up throughout the year but if claiming on all things isn’t the rebate high? Like you say more research is needed and If I think it’s viable I need to speak to an accountant

OK, you really do need to pick up at least the very basics of being self-employed...

Income is taxed.
Income = Turnover - Expenses

bengalknights

The only viable private licensing is preplanned journeys such as airport runs and holiday trips.

Most private hire drivers i know have decided to pack up and go into construction, warehouse or catering jobs.

The others are doing deliverys alongside private hire.

Robisere

http://chauffeur-training.co.uk/

Try this: I did the training myself some years ago (not with this company) and was beginning to make very good money when I was faced with a choice of two jobs: the Chauffeur business, or being a workshop foreman in a large independent garage, running the place for an old friend. The workshop post won out because it was more interesting, appealed to me as a Motor Engineer, and I got to work on all my favourite Classic cars.

I know that several guys who made it as chauffeurs had good, clean working lives, but it takes dedication, absolute punctuality, civility and very hard work. Plus you need to have some money saved for possible TU's. The money can be great, and you may get to travel, but the initial couple of years are chancy. You would benefit from an Advanced Driving course before even applying.

https://www.rac.co.uk/insurance/car-insurance/guides/what-is-advance-driving

Whatever your decision, you have to carry out research and consider every step.

Herzlos

You're going to struggle a bit with airport runs if you're not available construction hours since you'd likely need to be able to do both trips, though you might get away with some of them. You're really limited in the hours you can work without it really hurting your day job since you'll not be able to work too late into the Sunday, or start too early on the Friday.


It might be worth using your current vehicle (if suitable) and driving via Uber or Lyft - I'm not sure what the requirements are in the UK though.


Personally, I'd find some other sideline.

Arklight

I used to use Heathrow airport dropoffs and pickups all the time for my last job in the South East where I was overseas a lot. I got to know some of the drivers quite well over a couple of local firms.

The majority of the people driving me were much richer than I was, but not from driving. Most were well off semi retired people, people who'd done well out of other careers, or out of towners who'd won the flip the council flat house price lottery in London.

I spent a lot of 4am trips to Heathrow hearing about cruises, meals at celebrity chef restaurants, family trips to Florida, and what it was like selling luxury yachts in the 80s.

As far as I could tell they were all doing it for pin money, something to do, or because they were a bit lonely. Their cars did starship mileage and must have been next to worthless after a few years. Imagine having to pay for a major service every couple of months.

One driver told me that the only private hire work you can make money from is if you're willing to work the pubs and clubs on weekends, but he'd found it too stressful, unpleasant, and in the end dangerous.