Taxi Driver Online

I have a white collar job in the city, and have been having some 'crazy' ideas about becoming a taxi driver.

Why? I hear you ask. Well, it's something different where I can work my own hours and I am my own boss. I affectively am working for myself and there is minimal risk. It's just a different life. Instead of being stuck in an office, I am outside and seeing life (if you know what I mean).

What I want to know is how much take home pay can I expect from driving a black taxi? Say I do about 60 hours a week including weekends. I am also based in central London.

I would like to know Gross pay before tax, so that I can compare it to what I am earning at the moment with my city job.

btw, what about minicabbing? Does that compare to balck taxis in terms of take home pay? And is it less safer than Black taxis? I like the idea tou have a partition between driver & passenger in a black taxi!


It's so bizarre, I have used black taxis and minicabs for years. Every weekend in fact.
And now I am considering becoming a driver myself. Does that sound crazy to you? Has anyone else done anything like that before?

I don't think you will get the figures of gross earning from this site. but might get a rough idea

as a matter of interest what put thoughts into your head that you wanna be taxi driver, I get lots of people in the cab saying I would love to do this job, ok they only see the part where they hand over the cash for the fare after you drive from a to b, but they don't see the other side of it, the down time, the repairs, and all the other every day money outgoings to survive to keep on the road

First and foremost, I think it is the freedom to work the hours I want. As an example, this means I can try other little ventures on the side where I can be flexible during the day. In a normal day job you are tied down between 9 and 6. Actually 8 to 7 if you include travel times etc.

Secondly, I like the fact that I am my own boss. And that I can go out anytime I choose to work in my taxi.

I accept there maybe a bit of the 'grass is greener' syndrome here, but that is why I am here to get some advice.

I think I would rent a taxi rather than buy one outright.

Cheers

Crazy indeed.

I would go into Minicabbing if I were you, better pay by far, better customers, and an instant license.

You may have to take a few language courses before you start, but I believe its well worth it financialy.

Avoid the Taxi side of the trade, the games dead, not worth the effort.

Regards, GBC.

If you work 60 driving a black cab you will do very well for yourself.

Go for it.

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IDFIMH

I disagree here, perhaps it's being in a medium size town that does it.
I wouldnt drive a Hac for a gold clock, if i'm out i want to be earning not sitting around a station all day waiting for a fare that might or might not be worth having.
Even weekend nights unless your on a system your going to do lots of unpaid milage.

Well, thanks for the replies people.

First of all greenbadge caddy, minicabbing never really appealed to me because they can't pick people of the streets and that is a real advantage. Also why would I need to learn languages? I speak Spanish and French already

The other guys, I would say I thought if 60 hours because at the end of the day the time I spend each day with my current job is about 12 hours including travel etc. Leave at 8 get home around 7 or 8.

Anyway, I don't know, I need more feedback on this.

Thanks

Also minicabbing has got a horrible stigma attached to it. I don't know why, but thats another story!

You could have fooled me.

Polish, Albanian or Sinhala may serve you better.

Lets face it, you've got to speak to the boss at some stage.

greenbadgecabby,

do you drive a taxi or a minicab? You have a photo of a taxi but you seem to endorse minicabbers...

Minicabbers are so dsadvantaged in London for 2 reasons I can see:
1. They can't take people off the streets. In a place like central London this is a must.
2. They can't use the bus lanes.

Until they are able to do the above I don't see how they will ever be able to compete against the black taxis.

Anyway, I just want to know how much can a taxi driver earn in an average week say 60 hours in London...

I can't seem to find this information anywhere.

Gagging.

Nor do I think you are likely too either.

Work on nights it can be a reasonable sum.

(About £50 a night)

You left off a zero

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