Operating a taxi

Stella66

Sorry if this has been discussed before, but l tried to search for this information but did not get anything. Does anyone have experience in operating a taxi business, or registering your own car as a taxi? Is it a viable business to do do part time, i.e during the evenings and at weekends. Any contributions are welcome. Thank you all in advance.

penguin83

My OH is a taxi driver.

Get in touch with your local council regarding plating your own car as each council is different in their requirements. Ours is quite strict and only allow certain types of cars and can be no older than 8 years etc.

Both the car and yourself would need licensing and there is also things such as fuel and insurance costs to cover. You can make a living out of it but the hours can be long.

Sorry I cant be more specific but OH is at work at the mo so if you would like any further info, let me know and I'll get him to respond when he can.

x x

Stella66

Thanks Penguin, l have sent you a PM, l hope you don't mind.

MissG_2

My OH tried this whilst studying at college to supplement his income. He didnt get along with it mainly becuase he doesnt really like driving but how many people like the work we do??

Anyway here is a rough cost of what it cost him to get up and going from a few years ago (bear in mind).

Initial settle or hire car £75 per week (private hire only), this meant all maintenace, tax, test etc was met by hire firm but at £75 per week its much more viable to buy a 2nd hand care from a reliable dealer.

£75 per week to hire a radio or digital set which you receive work through.

Insurance was £57 per week, your personal no claims are not taken into account and you may loose anything personal you have. Check with personal insurer.

Approx few hundred to go through application, CRB, Medical etc

And on top of this he was paying for Diesel.

After 2 weeks of hiring junk for cars he put his own thorugh the test and packed it in after 4 months. Wasnt for him. He would say it is not less than 40 -50 hrs per week to make any sort of half decent income.

Saying all of the above, my OH has a cousin who works on hackneys P/T and he makes half decent income to support a F/T wage. He does work sat/sun and few evenings a week tho.

Good luck with your decision and i hope out works out.

gtone28

My sister is a taxi driver and her best advice is get a very good accountant because they pay for themselves.

She put's in lot's of hours (12hr day's) to scrape a living, she say's kiss goodbye to any social life because time is money.

her settle is £210 a week that's car (54plate astra)/radio/insurance plus fuel on top which is about £10 a day.

(If you use your own car the insurance is about £3000 a year and the MOT is alot more expensive but the radio is only £60)

she said she had to get a medical which cost £35 2yrs ago and a police check which cost £40.

It's alot easier using a settle car because if you get fed up you just give it back.

I was thinking of going on them but after speaking to several friends who have been there and done it I decided to stay in my current job.

Just as bad as a taxi drivers job but a regular wage (Bus driver) £17,000 a year with free family travel Around most of the UK. Bed and breakfast and £18 a day if you work in shorts staffed areas in the Uk.

NewbieMoneySaver**

It depends on your life at home but why not work for a firm.

They pay very well with the right hours/area.

My friend does it and takes home about £800 per week.

Not bad if you ask me.

geordie_joe

gtone28 wrote: »

Just as bad as a taxi drivers job but a regular wage (Bus driver) £17,000 a year with free family travel Around most of the UK.

But at least you know when you are going to set off. With a taxi you (almost) never know when the next job is coming.

Stella66

Thank you all for your contributions. I love this site because you always here both sides and threfore make an informed decision. I was planning to register my own car rather than hiring from the taxi firm. What are the pros and cons? My car is 06 Reg.

gwladys_street_

You car needs to be big enough and comply with local authority regulations, and it can only be driven by a "badged" person once it has been plated.

Clement Gallagher in Liverpool are regulated taxi insurance specialists who have been providing taxi insurance for 40 years, they may be able to give you advice.

MissG_2

There are pros and cons to using your own car, i will list a few of each that my oh can think of

Pro's

You know your own car

Used to driving it

It will be cheaper

You wont wind the neighbours up with loads of cars

Con's

Once the badge is issued against your car only licensed taxi drivers can drive even if the badge is not displayed!!!

You dont know who is going to get in your car or what they may do in it

Wear and tear (mileage) on your personal vehicle, if its not for you the added miles will take their toll on the trade in.

Social life, What social life!!!

Cant really think of anything else, to be honest if you are considering a career in driving a taxi try the following:-

1st of all, call a firm local to you and try to get chatting with the driver. Say something like i have a friend who is condiering doing this. They may offer some idle chat which may be able to help you make a decision.

I.E. when my OH gets cabs, he is open with the drivers and say's he used to do them and the first thing which comes out of their mouth is i wish i could get off them.

He regularly speaks with drivers who are working 15 hours plus a day, granted all of this is not driving but it's still time away from home.

Another famous line is there are over 300 drivers on this firm at the mo, which when you think about it there are a lot of people competeing for work.

I would seriously consider going for the buse's dependant on the area you live in, personally some of the areas by were i live i would be hesitant about getting on a bus let alone driving one!!! But thats just me and the area i live in.

Hope i have helped

adam230881

Has anyone done taxi driving to boost yout income?

Is there fees to pay for any license or any other costs you would incur by doing this?