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Should I be thinking about becoming a taxi driver?
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Author:  MickKnipfler [ Sat May 21, 2005 10:42 am ]
Post subject:  Should I be thinking about becoming a taxi driver?
After 30 yrs in the corporate world, it looks like I'm about to be made redundant. At the moment I'm just looking at the options.

I don't really know if I can stand another "office job" and am thinking about primarily persuing my first love - music. I reckon I can make a reasonable income from a few gigs, trading instuments and giving a few lessons. However, I'm thinking about setting myself up as a taxi driver to supplement. The main reason for this is that the total flexibility appeals in that I can work when I want to.

I need to get a feel though whether it's worth it. How lucrative is it? When are the best/worst times to work. How much an hour can you make? I guess some of the costs are fixed so therefore work out more expensive if you're not out much.

Ant thoughts/tips?
Author:  steveo [ Sat May 21, 2005 1:25 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Should I be thinking about becoming a taxi driver?
MickKnipfler wrote:
After 30 yrs in the corporate world, it looks like I'm about to be made redundant. At the moment I'm just looking at the options.

I don't really know if I can stand another "office job" and am thinking about primarily persuing my first love - music. I reckon I can make a reasonable income from a few gigs, trading instuments and giving a few lessons. However, I'm thinking about setting myself up as a taxi driver to supplement. The main reason for this is that the total flexibility appeals in that I can work when I want to.

I need to get a feel though whether it's worth it. How lucrative is it? When are the best/worst times to work. How much an hour can you make? I guess some of the costs are fixed so therefore work out more expensive if you're not out much.

Ant thoughts/tips?


the flexibility is great, however the busiest times for taxis will be the same time as you want to be out doing the gigs. where abouts are you looking to do this?
Author:  MickKnipfler [ Sat May 21, 2005 3:03 pm ]
Post subject: 
Yes I had thought of that. But If I'm at a gig I won't care. I'm only looking to do it when I haven't got a gig.

I'm in Kent. I would either do Maidstone or Ashford
Author:  Sussex [ Sat May 21, 2005 7:30 pm ]
Post subject: 
MickKnipfler wrote:
I'm in Kent. I would either do Maidstone or Ashford

If you work in Ashford you will be able to plate your own taxi, but not in Maidstone just yet. :wink:
Author:  TDO [ Sat May 21, 2005 7:46 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Should I be thinking about becoming a taxi driver?
MickKnipfler wrote:
I need to get a feel though whether it's worth it. How lucrative is it? When are the best/worst times to work. How much an hour can you make? I guess some of the costs are fixed so therefore work out more expensive if you're not out much.

Ant thoughts/tips?


The most lucrative times tend to be weekends and late night, which could conflict with your gigs.

I've always meant to do an FAQ for this type of question, but there are a couple of earlier threads that you might like to have a look at, but I would ignore the posts by someone called Yorkie :lol:

http://taxi-driver.co.uk/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=1140

http://www.taxi-driver.co.uk/phpBB2/vie ... php?t=1529

The latter relates mainly to Dundee, but there are some general points that may be of some use, but the point to remember is that things can vary throughout the country and from office to office.

But it's best to think carefully before making any big commitment, otherwise you might find yourself in Dire Straits. :D

Often the best way is to get a driver's badge then work for someone else for a while until you find your feet, that way you can also work out how much you are likely to earn and whether it's best to put your own vehicle on or continue driving for someone else. Indeed, if you want more flexibility and won't be working many hours then the latter course may work out better for you.
Author:  Guest [ Sat May 21, 2005 10:33 pm ]
Post subject: 
its a good game to be in.
but take little notice of half you hear, and take no notice of the other half.
drivers tell you what they want you to hear.
sometimes its the truth other times maybe not. :wink:
Author:  MickKnipfler [ Sun May 22, 2005 2:17 am ]
Post subject: 
thanks guys.how much per hour can i reckon on averaging? say averaged throughout a typical week.

by the way, as an aside, if you want to hear some of my band go to: http://ruffjustice.dmusic.com
Author:  steveo [ Sun May 22, 2005 4:41 am ]
Post subject: 
MickKnipfler wrote:
by the way, as an aside, if you want to hear some of my band go to: http://ruffjustice.dmusic.com


mick, forget taxi driving, get yourself a marketing Lady of the Night for a manger and make some proper money as an artist.
Author:  MickKnipfler [ Sun May 22, 2005 4:49 pm ]
Post subject: 
Did you like the music then?
Author:  steveo [ Sun May 22, 2005 5:39 pm ]
Post subject: 
MickKnipfler wrote:
Did you like the music then?


the blues/jazz thing isn't normally my cup of tea, but you guys sound great, like you've been doing it for years and really know your stuff. it would be a shame to see such talent sitting on a rank in kent watching the grass grow under your wheels. :wink:
Author:  MickKnipfler [ Sun May 22, 2005 5:50 pm ]
Post subject: 
There's not much cash playing in a blues band either!

I was thinking of going out as a solo doing instrumental music (resturants and stuff). I could earn about £120 - £150 a night doing that or about £75-£90 a night if I teamed up with a singer and did duo work.

I was then considering doing taxi work when I didn't have a gig. I wouldn't know how much I would collect taxiing though or how much would be profit?
Author:  TDO [ Mon May 23, 2005 2:19 am ]
Post subject: 
As you may have picked up from the old threads, there are so many ifs and buts that's it's impossible to put a figure on earnings.

There are drivers in my manor earning £4 an hour at best, but it's claimed that the London cabbies can earn £100k a year, but that probably means they sleep in the cab as well.

However, most driver's earnings are likely to be somewhere inbetween :wink:

Personally I would get as much solo work as you can, because if you want to make that kind of profit outside the big cities then you're probably looking at 12 hour shifts, and probably only at weekends, but it's difficult to tell.
Author:  MickKnipfler [ Mon May 23, 2005 2:30 am ]
Post subject: 
Thanks is that gross or net?
Author:  TDO [ Mon May 23, 2005 2:41 am ]
Post subject: 
The £4 is drivers working for a wage, so clearly that's net, I don't know about the £100k, but that could well be a gross figure.

The figures I was alluding to in the final paragraph state that that's profit, which is what I mean for net.
Author:  GBC [ Fri Jun 10, 2005 4:16 pm ]
Post subject: 
TDO wrote:
There are drivers in my manor earning £4 an hour at best, but it's claimed that the London cabbies can earn £100k a year, but that probably means they sleep in the cab as well.



£4? makes you wonder where you get all this time from to look after this site? :wink:

As for the £100K, yeah dream on :^o
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