Taxi Driver Online

Hi guys.

First off. Hope this is a long, rather than short stay on these boards.

Waiting for my crb to return. No real hurry right now. 10 years 3 months ago got a DR10. Resulting in a 20 month ban and £250 fine. No other convictions and 3 points for speeding 13 years ago as well as 3 points for parking on chevrons about 16 years ago. Obviously will show up on the check. But enquired prior to possibly wasting my money on the application and was told that I very much doubt to have to go in front of the committee.

Been delivering in 90% of Newcastle for the past 5 years so the test should not be that much trouble.
(yawn incoming as noticed all the noobs asking the same question as this)

Any of you got experience in the Newcastle locality test?

Medical is this Thursday.

I have obviously done my homework and am going to hire a car to start with. Was going to get a 80k xzara picasso 1.6 diesel. But will wait for a bit.
(i know about the dash issues with these)

I know that my total outgoing will be £300 per week. £120 car, 120 office, 60 Insurance through the rental of the car.

Expensive outlay but I need a change of direction with the opportunity to try and allow my better half to stay at home with my new 9 month old trouble maker.

I am thinking of staying in my current job as a transfer to another shop and an increase in wage that will pay my whole outlay above per week so whatever fares I take is purely profit after tax of course.

I have read through the boards the other night. So thought I would say hi. And anyone want to chuck any advice my way. That would be appreciated.

I am not even going to bother asking about possible earnings. That is like [edited by admin] in the wind.

I will find out by doing a 12 hour/7 days one week and the following week the other side of the 12 hours for 7 days. I will then at least see the different high and low points.

Also understand that Jan is a low time of year as a PH driver. But might as well start in the low and enjoy the high if it ever comes.


TL/DNR. LOL

I don't know about the DR10 but the speeding and parking bits will NOT be on you DBS. they are not classed as "criminal records" and are not recorded. They will, however show up on a DVLA check if your Council ask for one.

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Grandad,

Don't forget to add the cost of fuel for the car. I shouldn't worry to much about paying tax, After you have paid all of your expenses you can still make over £10,000 before paying any.

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Grandad,

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Of all the things ive lost, i miss my mind the most

Yeah the DR10 is obviously a bad one. Not proud at all. Bad time in my life. Stays on licence for 11 years. My time was served and the rehab time is 5 years.

I no longer drink alcohol. Been years and never again will.



I will get a receipt from the company i will be working for. As well as collecting receipts like a mad man.

Council specifically asked me to write down ALL points received over my licence time.

So made sure I kept to my side of the bargain. Not hiding anything.

10 years ago you'll be fine. Doesn't it get taken off your licence after 10 years?

11 years for a drink conviction and I think from date of conviction rather than date of offence.

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http://wingsoverscotland.com/ http://www.newsnetscotland.com/

Stays on your licence for 11 years before you can apply to get it removed. You are in the stage of rehabilitation per se, for 5 of them years.

I recently moved home and was able to hire a truck/van with zero issues after being told that as long as it is over 5 years from the date of conviction. I was fine.

Although I do understand that to take passengers safety into consideration. It is not something to be taken lightly. Hence why I rang and spoke to the traffic officer for the council before parting with my hard earned cash for the application.

It is working out to be a wealthy sum up to now.
I also think that as I can find literally Zero info on the locality test. That I may need a second after familiarizing myself with the question types asked. Even though I consistently drive in every postcode of the Newcastle Borough apart from 2 postcodes in the City.

Now anyone who has managed to get down to here reading this. I cant seem to get an Skoda Saloon for £2-£2.5g with less than 140k on the clock. Is this worth a punt as I will obviously fully service every 10k but I am now hearing all sorts of stories about Duel Mass Flywheel on diesels that it is putting me off.

Saying that. I can pick up a FSH 1.6 diesel 05/06 plate picasso for about 2k. So don't know what to purchase after I have tested my feet with the weekly hire car.

Do they have vehicle age restrictions in your manor?

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Grandad,

No. A car after a certain age though needs to be put through an MOT twice a year. Must not be dark or black in colour if for PH. Must also only display a small sign on the top with the words Private hire.

Size limit applies though. Hence a saloon or MPV is what i am looking at.

Tell the council everything, which I think you are.

Drive someone else's car for a while, and if the job warrants you buying your own car in the future then do it when you have saved up some money.

With a bit spare for any subsequent repairs.

Look after all punters and the regulars will look after you.

If you pick up the idiots then you will soon learn not to pick up the idiots.

Aim your expected earnings low, then you wont be upset if you have a s*** week.

Try to get friendly with other drivers, but take what they say they are earning with a bucket of salt.

It's a great trade, but it has it's pitfalls which you can only really experience and then learn from.

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IDFIMH

Thanks for the tips.

I have a general idea that the people i know that drive as PH since leaving where i work are either.
A. Lucky.
B. BSitters.
C. Exaggerators
D. Benders of the truth.
E. All of the above.

I get the idea that the busy times are around 7:30am to 10am. Then around 14:15 to early evening. Then it is hit and miss.

Night shift is where the idiots mainly come out to play. But the rougher the conditions, the better the money.

I also hear that night work lowers office rent. Also only a few days a week lowers the office rent as well. But this may just be by ear. Will find out later.

Hence why I plan on keeping my other job. It comes with 3 to 4 days a week off. 33 hours total. So this pays my (bit) and the driving is my earnings.
(apart from fuel)

I can either jack one or the other in depending on it being near on impossible or not to just do PH and manage to earn £300 before earning anything for myself. Or for the 2 careers to clash.

Oh and finally found some info on the knowledge test.

So it is pretty likely that I will take the advice offered from guys on here and leave my current employment and just gamble on the PH future once I get my badge.

I understand that January is a dull month for you guys. But I may not get my dbs back until Feb or later.

I am seriously contemplating night shifts consisting of Thurs, Fri, Sat and Sundays.

Although the first thing I will do is work a week of 12am-12pm then a week of 12pm-12am. Obviously with a day off so as to not BREAK the rules.

This will give me an idea of how much effort and hours needed to hit my weekly target. Also an idea of the (peak) times.




Finally. Do taxi drivers turn into moaners. Or does it slowly creep up on you whilst in the trade?

You will do alright....you are a thinker and that will make all of the difference - good luck.

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Common sense........is just not that Common.