Taxi Driver Online

Hi, I'm after a bit of advice as someone completely new to the industry. Probably best to start off with a bit about me:

I currently have full manual PSV and Class 2 licences and work driving Class 2 on days at the moment.

I'm thinking about moving across to being a self employed minibus driver doing things like airport runs but I have a few questions, apologies if these are really obvious to you hardened taxi types!

1. If you're driving a minibus fitted with a digi tacho and you're a digi card holder but driving on a private hire licence would you need to comply with drivers hours rules and use the tacho?

2. What is insurance likely to come in at for a 17 seater for a "new" private hire driver (but someone with 10 years HGV experience and 12 years NCD on a car)

3. Lease a new minibus or buy one at 5-ish years old? Pros and cons?

4. How hard is the Knowledge Test likely to be in Doncaster? I'm a local lad and have been driving in the area for 15 years? Much revision required?

5. Finding work: Would I need to subcontract to a local taxi firm for work or would I be able to find enough work advertising myself?

Cheers for reading, look forward to responses.

If you are using a 17 seat vehicle it is PCV not private hire. Private hire and Hackney licensing only cover up to 8 passenger seats.
Do you have a PCV operators license, if not, you will need one before you start. If you are going to be doing this full time you will need a full PCV operators license you will also need a transport managers CPC, not just a drivers CPC.

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Grandad,

Interesting...




If mixed driving I was told (jumping from 7.5t to warehouse days and class 7 vns/no tacho) if I drove on tacho in any period i must fill out a tacho for the non-tacho work, even warehouse days...

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