Taxi Driver Online

Hello to all,

I've been lurking on here for a while whilst considering whether or not to get into the trade. So I thought I'd register and put up a post to get some feedback from actual drivers.

Quick bit of background; I'm 38, based in Oxford, currently employed full time, Mon-Fri, have 10k savings to potentially fund it, considering the private hire side of things. Like most attracted to the idea of potentially not having a 100% fixed rota, being stuck indoors, annoyed with management and other colleagues, own boss etc etc, usual stuff.

So let's say I did want to go ahead, what's the best way to go about it, buy a vehicle and be an owner driver, or rent from a firm? There seems to be pro's and cons for both options and fairly similar costs involved.

All manner of advise is welcome, from the both the content drivers and the cynics. The more advise I get from you then the better informed I'll be. I know it seems to be bit taboo to discuss drivers earnings but I'm currently taking £1250 after tax pcm working 50hrs per week and would need to better or match that, after costs deducted, to keep afloat financially, is that a realistic target?

So,do I keep working for others or give it a go? There is I think a pretty strong taxi trade in Oxford with the 1000's of students and the huge tourist numbers in summer, it's also a city with a lot of very well off residents. However I don't think the p.h numbers are restricted here as I saw a plate 848 or so earlier today, saturated market?

Many thanks and I look forward to hearing your thoughts, any drivers in Oxford and surrounds it would be great to hear from you.

No if you have a brain

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First off, contact your licensing office and request the application forms for badge and the knowledge test (such as is)


or download here

http://www.oxford.gov.uk/taxilicensing

I know not if Oxford limits the number of Hackney (taxi) plates, if so Private Hire is a way in

Drive for a firm first, dont commit to a car and £3000+ of insurance straight off

Ring some local firms and ask about rentals

You could take a week what you get per month now but a car will be £200+ a week plus fuel...

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

Ignore Trotty, hes a retard

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

that's good advice, check insurance first and ask if you can afford it... then drive for someone for a year then start again with insurance....

yup as above rent a car at first until such time your sure your happy with the job and want to commit to it for a length of time.

costs do add up


insurance I would wager around 2k if you shop around given your age (trade seems to despise anyone under 30 trying to insure)
testing and plates for the car depending on your council will run another 3-500

car itself that's an absolute minefield depending on local restrictions but if you want something decent that's your 10k gone on the above plus car before you leave anything for maintenance or rainy day.


don't listen to any drivers about what they earn what a company is like as our trade seems to be full of either people who utterly despise the trade and people who will lie out their arses about their earnings.


if your contacting a private hire base (contact a few ) ask what sort of work they have any contracts if so what sort of work and what sort of job numbers their turning over and number of drivers.

its not a surefire way to find a decent company but it will give you a rough idea of what is available.

bear in mind though if you are renting you'll be paying a radio fee and a vehicle fee which up here would be a combined £300-320 a week before you make a penny add in fuel and your looking at having to clear £700 a week to take home £250-300. don't be put off though as there is money to be made if you approach the job with the right company and the right attitude. I can only advise in general terms(Glasgow based) but it can be an enjoyable flexible and rewarding job if you do it right. hopefully someone Oxford based can give you some much needed local info.

if you have any more questions fire them up here or drop me a pm more than happy to help

Insurance for new badge holders is expensive, as is finding one who will accept your maximum NCD from a private car

just crooks really

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

Royal and 001 have too many drivers mate - not enough work and too many freshys, especially now that they've merged.

You could try radio cars, Oxford City cars or Oxford white cars, it's a dead end job these days or just wait till uber comes to town.

royal and 001 have a combined freshy fleet of over 500 cars and it ain't that busy!!!! 001 were good but no more!!!

OP, you have a job yes?

get your badge, try to find a jockey job on a split bag to start off, weekends or friday/saturday night till you get a feel for ot

renting would be next, £200-£300 week "just add fuel"

if that goes ok, THEN look at getting your own car, if you cant go hackney get your own PH ops licence, advertise, and get your own contracts (schools or hospital NSL ambulance type stuff), you can still rent a radio/pda as a top up

too many think they are self employed, they arent, they are just base bitches....

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

I moaned at a driver here I said (joke) I was too old for it now, he replied he was 70, doing 60 hours a week (renting a bus £320/week) and ending up with £400 a week nett

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

I would advise you to think long and hard about it.

The hours are long If you want to earn a reasonable wage. Most drivers here are doing 70 Hours minimum for a take home after expenses of 300-400. This will include most, If not all of the weekend.

The idea of flexible working is appealing but the reality is not so. taking off Fridays and Saturday nights will be impossible if you want to make a profit that week.

Your mates will stop phoning you as they know you will be working.

You will have to deal with a lot of scumbags, and a lot of them will b. Worse for wear.

Just when you think you've had a decent week, your car will break down.

that is just my experience and although I still work part time during busy periods, being an owner driver was just becoming impossible to make a profit without having anY enjoyment out of life.

That said, it will differ from area to area and I wish you all the best if you decide to take the plunge.

Note my advice to BE self employed in its truest sense after a trial period...

If the OP gets his OWN work he can hit £400+ on a contract alone, THEN hit cash work...

Buying a car, insuring it, plating it then offering himself plus car up to a base AND paying for the pleasure seems like masochism to me

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

Yes I will add that my post applies to renting a radio off a firm. Usually they charge from 80-150 a week for this.

Where Im based the town is saturated with drivers. Its not uncommon to sit around for an hour before getting a 3.50 job.

But could b different where the op is. Best bet is to get your badge whilst still in employment and test the water.

I've known people not even finish a shift before deciding the job is not for them.

What is your setup (your own)

do you own a car? rent? rent a radio/PDA?

if you own a car do you have your own work (cash or contract)?

Ive only ever been an owner, I did rent a radio 15 years ago and did the whole experience (watching the inner circle get fed) and let the base cream 10-20% off my account jobs on top of my base rent, and wait 45+ days for payment...

not now, not ever again thanks

paddle your own canoe i say

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

Get your license and then try a few shifts.

Don't spend fortunes or bin off your existing job, well not for a while.

I love this job, others hate it.

But it's a culture shock to those that currently have a 9-5 job.

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IDFIMH