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Newbie alert : first post, where to start ?
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Author:  PAJ [ Sun Oct 27, 2024 4:33 pm ]
Post subject:  Newbie alert : first post, where to start ?
Taxi

Hi guys, this is my first post here, I’m wondering if I can ask a few questions and see if you think that what I’m planning is feasible.

I’m 48 years old, and I’m lucky enough to be able to retire and take a job that’s a little more part time. I’ve always fancied to do taxiing, or more Private Hire as I think it’s likely to be. I’ve learnt what I can, but I have a few questions

In 2019 I bought a Tesla Model 3 Performance, at that time I had a hobby which involved a lot of travelling, these days I don’t do that hobby, the car has depreciated a lot, technically it’s a second car for me, it needs a purpose.

The plan, hopefully, is to do airport runs, or other regular or semi-long distance. I’ll need a roof box, I know that ;j

I ‘think’ I require each of the following :

Application to council
Practical driving assessment **1
Various checks, medical, DBS etc
Vehicle examination for suitability
Operator license, enabling me to book my own work? **2

**1 - forgive me, is the practical assessment something that’s common to all boroughs ? I’ve checked my local council, which is Blackpool, and I’m having some trouble finding reference to the practical assessment

**2 - when I watched YouTube, a guy from Liverpool said he’s been waiting 16 for an operator licence, presumably the area is maxed out, and he’s basically waiting in line for someone to retire. It looks like Blackpool are very keen for new drivers, they seem to be offering plenty incentives on their website to become involved in the profession, it makes me wonder how likely it would be that I could end up with an operator licence ?

I wonder how realistic I’m being with this ?

Paul
Author:  edders23 [ Sun Oct 27, 2024 5:04 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Newbie alert : first post, where to start ?
there are members of the Blackpool trade on here in particular if you PM a member user name cerberus he would probably be your best advice.

As for requirements they vary from council to council so you need to read your councils website and check that your vehicle CAN be plated some councils have awkward rules as to which vehicles will be accepted. Many a story has appeared over the years of drivers who have gone out and spent a shedload on a new vehicle only to find out the council won't license it

Airport work is highly competitive so be careful targetting that.

Oh and part time in this trade may not bring in that much; it would be a good idea to go out and talk to a number of drivers to get a realistic idea companies will exagerate potential earnings to get you on board
Author:  PAJ [ Sun Oct 27, 2024 5:14 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Newbie alert : first post, where to start ?
Thank you Edders, I’ll do as you suggest and see if I can PM this local driver, and to be honest, the competitiveness of airports doesn’t worry me, as my pension supports me, it’s more because I (think) I want to be involved in this kind of work, and I have an absolute requirement to keep busy when I’ve time on my hands.

Note : I’ve seen Tesla 3 taxis locally, so there’s hope ;j
Author:  Sussex [ Sun Oct 27, 2024 5:18 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Newbie alert : first post, where to start ?
PAJ wrote:
**1 - forgive me, is the practical assessment something that’s common to all boroughs ? I’ve checked my local council, which is Blackpool, and I’m having some trouble finding reference to the practical assessment

Some councils have one, others don't.

Looking at Blackpool council's website it appears Blackpool don't, or if they do they hide the fact. I suggest you give them a call.

https://www.blackpool.gov.uk/Business/L ... river.aspx
Author:  Sussex [ Sun Oct 27, 2024 5:22 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Newbie alert : first post, where to start ?
Quote:
**2 - when I watched YouTube, a guy from Liverpool said he’s been waiting 16 for an operator licence, presumably the area is maxed out, and he’s basically waiting in line for someone to retire. It looks like Blackpool are very keen for new drivers, they seem to be offering plenty incentives on their website to become involved in the profession, it makes me wonder how likely it would be that I could end up with an operator licence ?

The terminology in the taxi/PH trade is really confusing for non-taxi/PH drivers, so the comments from the YouTube driver will not apply to someone applying to work PH in Blackpool.

I think your biggest problem is the car you mentioned, especially the roof rack suggestion. Punters don't like the idea of having their luggage open to the elements.

If I were you I would sell the Tesla and buy a second-hand estate car.
Author:  Sussex [ Sun Oct 27, 2024 5:24 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Newbie alert : first post, where to start ?
PAJ wrote:
Thank you Edders, I’ll do as you suggest and see if I can PM this local driver, and to be honest, the competitiveness of airports doesn’t worry me, as my pension supports me, it’s more because I (think) I want to be involved in this kind of work, and I have an absolute requirement to keep busy when I’ve time on my hands.

Note : I’ve seen Tesla 3 taxis locally, so there’s hope ;j

Don't do work cheap, it doesn't pay and if you do it too cheap you might upset folks and end up with no windows.
Author:  StuartW [ Sun Oct 27, 2024 5:34 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Newbie alert : first post, where to start ?
Mr PAJ, not sure what you mean by operator's licence with regard to numerical controls, but there are basically three license tiers for both hackney carriages (HCs) and private hire vehicles (PHVs):

- driver (badge)
- vehicle (plate)
- operator's licence (to enable acceptance of bookings, but that's not required in relation to accepting an HC accepting street hire, nor indeed pre-bookings)

So there's basically three different private hire licences, and two hackney carriage licences.

The only licence on which councils can impose numerical controls are HC *vehicle* licences. Therefore not sure about your reference to the driver waiting for an operator's licence is about, but I suspect it's actually a HC vehicle licence he's referring to.

And, of course, there are always private hire operators and HC circuits and proprietors looking for drivers, but all that indicates is that they're trying to maximise their profit, whether or not it's worth it from the perspective of individual drivers.

So if you get your vehicle badged and plated, you'll easily get a place on a circuit, which of course entails paying them a fee, and they will provide you with work in return for that fee (but most of it won't be airport stuff).

But if you want to get your own airport work, you'll need an operator's licence along with the badge and plate, but you don't need an operator's licence if you're working for a circuit, because it's their operator's licence which is used to accept the bookings, which are then funnelled to individual drivers. (And Uber is precisely the same as regards all of the above.)

So in theory doing just airport work via your own operator's licence is fine, but it's finding the work that's the difficult bit, and it's usually a competitive market, because lots of people have similar plans to yourself :idea:
Author:  PAJ [ Mon Oct 28, 2024 7:31 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Newbie alert : first post, where to start ?
Thanks to all for your replies, you guys are amazing, thank you so much. In reply to some of the comments made :

Indeed, I’ll give the council a ring and check their exact requirements

I could technically change the car for something more practical, it’s a saloon rather than a lift-back, so it has a shallow height, you’d struggle to stack two large suitcases on each other, so I’d get a roof box to take the excess. If I enjoy the job, I’m earning something out of it, and I find that the only limiting factor is the car, then yep, I’d change it.

Regarding me talking about numerical controls on operator licenses, it’s just me talking rubbish, ignore me :)

Ok, next job, I’ll ring the council

Thanks to all
Author:  PAJ [ Tue Oct 29, 2024 8:41 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Newbie alert : first post, where to start ?
I checked with the council, there’s no practical driving assessment required, and they said there’s no issues with getting an operator license. Next I’ll find out if my car is insurable for the job.
Author:  Sussex [ Tue Oct 29, 2024 8:11 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Newbie alert : first post, where to start ?
PAJ wrote:
Next I’ll find out if my car is insurable for the job.

I suspect it will be insurable, as to whether the premiums will be viable is a completely different matter.
Author:  PAJ [ Wed Oct 30, 2024 9:46 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Newbie alert : first post, where to start ?
Had a quote today, indeed it’s insurable, and premium not too bad, it’s four times what my conventional car insurance was, and kind of what I was expecting I guess.
Author:  wannabeeahack [ Wed Oct 30, 2024 11:59 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Newbie alert : first post, where to start ?
PAJ wrote:
Had a quote today, indeed it’s insurable, and premium not too bad, it’s four times what my conventional car insurance was, and kind of what I was expecting I guess.


Not in a million years would I plate any EV till one with a 500 mile range is available

The Skoda Superb estate diesel is acknowleged as the best 4 seater workhorse, if you need more seats with luggage spage try a Ford Tourneo 8 seater

im retired FROM being a S/E PH operator, for 4 years I would ONLY do school runs....
Author:  wannabeeahack [ Thu Oct 31, 2024 12:00 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Newbie alert : first post, where to start ?
PAJ wrote:
Had a quote today, indeed it’s insurable, and premium not too bad, it’s four times what my conventional car insurance was, and kind of what I was expecting I guess.


add cover for NCB and excess and get PL too, even "Fault hire car"
Author:  PAJ [ Fri Nov 01, 2024 6:57 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Newbie alert : first post, where to start ?
Thanks Wannabeeahack for your comments. I’d like to work with what I’ve got at the moment, I’m accepting of the fact that it’s not ideal, but I’ll give it a crack. If I find that I can make a go of the job, and the limiting factor is the car, then I’ll change it…. But I’m not going to change it before I’ve had a go and seen if I can make the job work
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