How do I become a self employed taxi driver UK?

You'll need to:
  1. complete a driving skills assessment.
  2. have a full UK or EU driving licence, held for at least 12 months, or three years if working in London.
  3. pass background checks.
  4. pass a medical check.
  5. be over 18 but over 21 in some areas, including London.




People Also Ask

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.

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To become a taxi driver, it usually takes between 12 and 16 weeks if you apply directly to your local authority. If you decide to take a college course before applying for your taxi driver's licence, you're usually looking at a couple of days to complete a Level 2 NVQ.

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Do Make Money as a Taxi Driver in the UK a Good Living? On average, taxi drivers in the United Kingdom earn between £20,000 and £30,000 per year. On average, taxi drivers in the United Kingdom earn between £9 and £15 per hour. However, the rate may increase on certain days, such as bank holidays and Saturday evenings.

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Post Covid, the Licensed Private Car Hire Association (LPHCA) estimates that the UK's taxi and private hire industry is suffering a shortfall of 160,000 drivers – down from the 300,000-strong workforce pre-pandemic.

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You may choose to purchase new or used vehicles or lease your vehicles on a monthly basis. The costs can vary considerably, depending on the number of vehicles you require. You can expect to pay between £10,000 and £60,000 per car, depending on the age, make and specification.

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Daily duty limit You must not be on duty for more than 11 hours in any working day. This limit does not apply on any working day when you do not drive. You must record your hours on a weekly record sheet or on a tachograph. Some vehicles are exempt from the duty limit.

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

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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).

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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).

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Determining a taxi driver's pay varies based on several factors. If you own your own taxi, you get to keep the entire fare, minus expenses. If you lease, you must pay a daily rate out of your incoming fares, plus the cost of gas. Some companies take a percentage of your fare instead of a flat-rate lease payment.

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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.

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When the pandemic hit, work went off a cliff edge. Many drivers are self-employed and there wasn't much government support. Some with leased vehicles lost their cars, and don't forget licensing fees or renewals. It's catastrophic.

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The taxi industry has been navigating a significant challenge in recent years – a shortage of drivers. This shortage has been exacerbated by various factors, including the rise of ridesharing services, changes in driver demographics, and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

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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.


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