Do taxi drivers own their cars UK?

As a taxi and minicab driver working in the UK, you'll find it's much easier and more cost-effective to hire a vehicle from a reputable operator like Addison Lee, rather than use your own car as a private hire vehicle. Do taxi drivers and minicab drivers own their cabs? Not necessarily.



People Also Ask

Drivers who own their cabs as opposed to renting from a garage are known as mushers and those who have just passed the knowledge are known as butter boys. There are currently around 21,000 black cabs in London, licensed by the Public Carriage Office.

MORE DETAILS

But for the most part, a cab company owns the vehicle. They lease it to their drivers who in turn get to keep 100% of the fares and tips (some companies charge less for the lease, but retain a portion of the fares).

MORE DETAILS

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.

MORE DETAILS

Starting a taxi business in the UK can be a profitable venture, considering the high demand for transportation services.

MORE DETAILS

The type of tax that you pay, and how you report it, depends on how you register the business. For example, a taxi driver who registers as a self-employed sole trader will normally need to submit a Self Assessment tax return to tell HMRC about any profits and expenses they have.

MORE DETAILS

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.

MORE DETAILS

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.

MORE DETAILS

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).

MORE DETAILS

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.

MORE DETAILS

With the cost of owning a car out of reach for many today, ride sharing gives commuters an alternative. And a handful of U.S. cities, self-driving taxis are getting the green light to pick up passengers. Several companies including Waymo, Cruise and Motional are touting driverless taxis as the way of the future.

MORE DETAILS

Hack is short for hackney (from the Middle English hakeney), which at one time described a horse of average size, used for regular riding—as distinct from stronger horses used for hauling or in war. Such horses were often let out for hire to pull a coach or cab.

MORE DETAILS

That's a significant amount of range, as Jonny Smith notes in the video below, because the average speed of taxis in London is about 8 or 9 miles an hour, meaning it will be possible to drive around for most of the day without ever having to fuel up.

MORE DETAILS

They keep doing the same thing, lighting indicators, changing gears for hours at a stretch. And driving is potentially a very exciting job, meeting new people every hour. It is no surprise that taxi drivers become excellent analysts after years of observation. They just want to talk to break the monotony.

MORE DETAILS

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).

MORE DETAILS

All drivers I have known prefer longer rides. Many taxi drivers often have a daily target to achieve after which they'll just hang their gloves and call it quits for the day.

MORE DETAILS

Restrictions and Requirements
  • complete a driving skills assessment.
  • have a full UK or EU driving licence, held for at least 12 months, or 3 years if working in London.
  • pass background checks.
  • pass a medical check.
  • be over 18 but over 21 in some areas, including London.


MORE DETAILS