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How to become a taxi driver in the UK

 



If you decide to become a taxi driver in London, you have to memorize all the roads and landmarks within a six-mile radius of Charging Cross - there are thousands of them, so that's not a bad thing!


But the capital is not the only place you can put in the need for taxis: with services operating across the UK, there are various places where you can establish. Best of all, you will not need any qualifications, other than the basic driving requirements and licenses. As a self-employed taxi driver, you can set your working hours. Typically, popular times include evenings or weekends, making it ideal if you don’t want to work out a regular 9-5 job. Other benefits include getting tips in addition to fares, which can build relationships with regular customers, as well as relationships in partnership with other taxi operators.


Skills and qualifications you will need to become a successful and happy taxi driver, including following:


  • Good customer service skills

  • Excellent verbal skills

  • Active listening skills

  • The ability to work well with others

  • Ability to remain calm in stressful situations

  • The ability to accept criticism and work well under pressure

  • Public safety and security information



You can choose to work as a London taxi driver, with a green badge & yellow badge. The green badge allows you to access the entire Greater London Authority. The yellow badge allows you to access one of the nine urban areas.


You will need to pass the required tests to get your taxi driver's license. In most cases, you should:


  • Hold a full UK or EU driver's license, for at least 12 months

  • Meet background and medical examinations

  • Be 18 years or older 

  • There are differences between obtaining a taxi driver's license in London and outside the capital, as well as the difference between rental taxis and private cars.


There are several stages to completing the Knowledge. These are:


  • Self assessment - an optional test to monitor your knowledge of the first 80 routes (also known as 'runs') out of a total of 320

  • Written test - multiple choice test, with 60% pass mark

  • Appearance - individual oral tests for a person on the trails

  • Suburban Test - testing the validity of an additional 25 routes

  • License application- the final stage to the group talk, where you receive your license and badge.


When you start your career as a taxi driver, it may be wise to join an existing company. However, you may have more control over the routes and times you work, and you may need to drive a certain type of vehicle. Along with practical qualifications, such as passing exams and having a valid license, there are other skills needed to become a taxi driver. These include:


  • Communication : you will need to be able to communicate with, and listen to, passengers in a user-friendly manner.

  • The ability to remain calm under pressure: whether dealing with challenging customers or wandering around deceptive traffic, cool and organized behavior is essential

  • Pay attention to details:  from knowing how to get to a destination quickly to ensure customer safety, you'll need to be careful when using the taxi service


Once you have your taxi driver's license, you can start thinking about applying for a job, or become a self-employed taxi driver. As a self-employed driver, you can become a taxi driver and increase your income by running a private rental company, hiring other drivers. Any form of travel requirements, even during the covid period, can be met immediately with  Farnborough airport taxis.

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