I have been wondering about supplementing my income with a bit of part-time taxi or private hire work. I live in a market town with a population or 25,000. I know I need to get a taxi driver licence and be security vetted - these shouldn't be a problem. The big expense seems to be insurance if I use my own car.
Has anyone on here had experience of taxi or minicab work, especially in rural towns? Is it something best avoided unless you absolutely have to do it or can it be enjoyable? Would I be better to go white vanning?
Cheers, Sofa Spud
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I used to supply vehicles to the taxi trade and unless you were doing it fulltime i don't think the costs involved would be sufficient to cover the outlay.
Insurance costs are very high, plus things like taxi meters, radio gear, top lights all add up. You would also have to pay some form of rent to the taxi firm your working for.
One possible solution would to be a driver for a firm and rent one of their cars off them - wouldn't of thought the income would be sufficient to tempt me to work a friday and saturday night as these are probably the only couple of times where demand outstrips supply enough to justify extra drivers/cars.
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Thanks for info.
I'm starting to go off the idea already!
Cheers, SS
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If you want a quote on insurance give this firm a call
Connect 01782 280280
White vanning will be a better option i'm sure.
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SS,
I had the same idea a few years ago. Then when my children were teenagers I used to pick them up in the local town after a night out. Since at the time I drove an old BX diesel I used to get all sorts of drunken yobs leaping out in front of me thinking I was a taxi. The thought of having them in my car and get a fare from them suddenly made taxi-driving a much less attractive proposition!!
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I did it for 12 years full time, about 10 years ago and it was a struggle, better off with a van, parcels dont nick your money or give you grief.
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The first time you have to slop vomit out of the backseat, off the rear of your seat and possibly out of your hair, you will suddenly find the idea not appealing.
IMHO there is only one type of Taxi work worth doing. Collar and Tie in a prestige (read Merc) car. No drunks! Only really pays in or near big cities with a thriving business district.
There is a lot of money to be made in the City of London, with a big plush Merc and an equally plush suit, doing airports/hotels/meetings trips. One guy i was talking to offers his clients who are staying over the w/e "private" trips to the country or sightseeing.
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"IMHO there is only one type of Taxi work worth doing. Collar and Tie in a prestige (read Merc) car..."
In my quest for a change of job that would involve driving (which I love doing) I thought of this and would like to hear more about it from those in the know. I only got as far as a few web searches, but that didn't really give much "inside" info on what the job is really like.
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A pal of mine did just this. His first year cost him something like £20,000
Getting cards printed, security Vetting, licence costs, insurance (£4000), diesel, depreciation on his Galaxy, bi-yearly MOT test, putting money aside monthly for next years insurance, putting money aside monthly to buy a new Galaxy when the current one is looking ragged.
It all adds up. He did it properly mind you, and there must be money in it. But you need to know what it stands you in to know how hard you will need to work to get it back.....plus live!
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My late uncle did this. He specialised in airport trips. He was based in Hampshire - M4 and M3 corridor work to Heathrow and Gatwick.
He simply drove a middle of the range estate car and swapped it every 3 years or so. IIRC he did around 25000 miles a year, which doesn't sound a lot I know, He was semi retired though.
Like others have said, the clientel was specifically targeted for good money but less hassle.
Delivery van driving has its pitfalls. My suggestion for this is go with an agency for a few weeks to see if you like it. Chances are when you first start you'll miss deliveries on your route becausle you'll have to return to the depot before your time runs out. I use a mail order supplier and I know when their couriers have agency drivers on because on that day my delivery does not arrive. My address is one of the furthest away from the depot.
H
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I've done van deliveries before, years ago, and HGV driving. I'd only really be interested in doing a driving job again if it's with my own vehicle and with myself (and the customers!) as boss.
I guess I'm looking for a niche market (aren't we all?)
Cheers, SS
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