Career opportunities and skills needed
Career opportunities
Jobs are available in every part of the country, but most work is in large towns and cities. You may start out as a taxi or private hire driver by driving a vehicle/working for a company. You may then look to buy your own vehicle and start your own business. Drivers who work on their own, can look to expand their business by employing other drivers.
There are no specific academic requirements to become a driver. Taxi and private hire drivers do however need to obtain a licence, which is issued by the local authority. Each local authority has its own standards and criteria for issuing licences and these can include: holding a driving licence for at least 12 months (3 years in London), being over 21 (18 in Northern Ireland) and able to obtain sufficient insurance cover, passing a criminal records check, passing a medical assessment. Applicants for a licence are also likely to be tested on their local area knowledge and possibly on their driving skills as well. The entry requirements to be a taxi driver may be more stringent than those to be a private hire driver.
Taxi and private hire drivers also have to get their vehicles licensed. The vehicle is checked to make sure that it is safe and suitable for use as a passenger carrying vehicle. The vehicle then has to be inspected regularly and must meet requirements over and above the normal MOT test standards.
Skills needed
As you would expect, an interest in driving is essential. You must also enjoy interacting with people as you’ll meet new people constantly on the job. You’ll need excellent driving skills, a thorough understanding of regulations and road safety, confidence in communication including dealing with the occasional 'difficult' customer, navigation skills and the ability to remember routes and local landmarks, numeracy and patience and concentration.