What do you need to know to be a taxi driver?


What do you need to know to be a taxi driver? Experience, Skills, and Personality Traits No experience is needed to work as a taxi driver, but any driving experience will be useful. Taxi drivers should be in reasonably good health and have a good driving record and no criminal record. In general, they must be 21 years of age or older to drive a taxicab.


How hard is the London taxi exam?

The Knowledge of London test is renowned around the world for being one of, if not the, hardest taxi knowledge test in existence. Often referred to as simply, 'The Knowledge' aspiring London cabbies can expect to spend around 3-4 years of study before being able to pass the test.


What skills do taxi drivers need?

To become a Taxi Driver, you'll need:
  • to be a confident driver who is able to drive well in any road and weather conditions.
  • a helpful, trustworthy and patient manner.
  • some number skills, as you'll be dealing with cash a lot.
  • to be able to deal with all types of people including the occasional awkward or difficult customer.


How many streets do London taxi drivers have to memorize?

And a cab driver in London is required to know the quickest way off by heart. That is because they know the center of the British capital; they'll have committed 320 runs across 25,000 streets, encompassing at least 20,000 landmarks, to memory.


Is it worth becoming a taxi driver UK?

According to the National Careers Service, an experienced taxi driver working around 40 hours a week might expect to make around £30,000 per year. As a one-person business, it's largely down to you. If you're prepared to put in the hours and work at anti-social times, your profits could soar.


Can anyone be a taxi driver in UK?

Legal documentation — To get started as a taxi driver, you'll need to be able to work legally in the UK and will need to have held a full GB, NI or EU driving licence for at least 12 months. You will also require a criminal background check, also known as a DBS certificate.


Are taxi drivers unhealthy?

These drivers often work 10–12 hours a day, six days a week (2). Research across various cities has shown that these long hours, combined with the sedentary nature of their work, high stress, and low rates of insurance and healthcare access (3), contribute to poor health outcomes (4–6).


Is taxi driver stressful?

As a taxi driver you'll spend many hours of your day sitting behind the wheel, and this can cause a lot of stress on your body. Regular physical activity helps reduce the effects of stress by: Encouraging the release of 'feel good' endorphins.


Are taxi drivers in demand?

Yes, taxi cab driver jobs are in demand. Taxi cab driver demand is projected to grow 20% from 2018 to 2028.


Is it hard to become a taxi driver in the UK?

You need to able to work legally in the UK. You need to have held a full GB, NI or EU driving licence for at least 12 months. You need to be willing to have your background checked, which may include an enhanced criminal record check from the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS)


What are the disadvantages of being a taxi driver?

Research has shown that taxi drivers are at risk for numerous health concerns, such as low back and leg pain, linked to their highly sedentary occupation, long work hours and stressors related to the job (e.g. low income, safety threats).


How much do taxi drivers make per hour UK?

The average taxi driver salary in the United Kingdom is £35,033 per year or £17.97 per hour. Entry level positions start at £26,000 per year while most experienced workers make up to £52,000 per year.


Can you make a living as a taxi driver?

According to data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the median annual salary for taxi drivers and chauffeurs in the US is $30,050. This works out at around $14.50 an hour. Taxi drivers earn much lower than the average salary in the US.


What is the average age of a taxi driver?

There are over 43,904 taxi cab drivers currently employed in the United States. 23.6% of all taxi cab drivers are women, while 76.4% are men. The average taxi cab driver age is 47 years old.


Why do taxi drivers prefer cash UK?

It's easier to handle and manage cash compared to other modes of payment. Cash payments are immediate and there is no need to wait for the payment to be processed. Some taxi drivers may prefer cash payments to avoid paying fees associated with card payments.