Taxi Driver Online

Hi everyone.
How are you all?
I reside in the Torbay area and my current employment is dying (Recruitment). I currenty also run a wedding car service.

I am thinking of getting licenced as a Taxi Driver. I have already been to see Torbay Council and have the forms. Once i have passed their test i will be licenced.

Can people answer these for me:

1. Is it a good job to be in?

2. What sort of money can i expect to earn in my first year?

3. Go alone or work for a reputable taxi firm?

4. What is the best car to get? I am looking at currently a Vauxhall Vectra, Ford Mondeo, Vauxhall Zafira, Skoda Superb or a Vauxhall Signum.

5. Fancy doing airport trips. any recommendations on starting out?

I have over 20 years driving experience.

Many thanks

Ian

It seems you have to do a lot more these days for your crust than you used to have to do, I have been in the taxi game for over 30 years and its probally that I am starting to get tired. I think perhaps its good to get on a busy radio circuit as an owner driver and let somebody else have the worry, It seems now whatever car you decide on there all pretty reliable, but to make your money you have to put the hours in thats the killer week in week out working friday and saturday nights.

I would do a search on here, because these questions have been asked many times before, but for starters;

1. Yes it is, despite the odd idiot.

2. As much as your need, but not as much as you want.

3. Start with a firm, and see how it goes.

4. Out of that lot I would buy the Superb, then the Mondeo.

5. Get a nice car, then the nice work may follow. Get an average one, and in my experience it doesn't.

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IDFIMH

Have a look at the following thread and the others linked to within it.

http://www.taxi-driver.co.uk/phpBB2/vie ... hp?p=27512

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Taxi Driver Online
www.taxi-driver.co.uk

The Signum seem a rather bizarre motor - a hatch in the exec market. Personally I would go for an Volvo s80 if you want to spend that kind of money and appeal to the exec market.

As for the three cheaper vehicles, the Superb is executive-ish, but the boot's a bit tight, and as it's not a hatch you can't pile the luggage up. Clearly the hatch versions of the Mondeo and Vecra don't have that problem.

The back seats in the Zafira (if used as a 6-seater) are a joke, in fact some LAs won't license them for 6, but it would be good as an estate car.

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Taxi Driver Online
www.taxi-driver.co.uk