Taxi Driver Online

Hi there,

Due to a change in my employment circumstances I would like to become a private hire car driver. I have asked several private drivers how to get into the trade and they have been very vague and not to mention contradictary to each other.

Could anyone on this forum point me in the right direction? I live in Trafford, Manchester.

Also, I have seen plenty of advertising for owner-drivers but no-one it seems is taking on nonowner-drivers.

Many thanks

I think most operators prefer owner drivers because of the upkeep costs of the vehicle, those that do "track" cars out often charge extortionate rates, here on our systen the cost is £260 pw all inc excl fuel (for a spanky new octavia). This means you have to earn about £360 before you earn any wages, whilst this is ok on a busy system (we have about 12 hired like this and they all earn a decent wage) it's still a lot to pay out each week before you start to earn.

Try getting your badge (contact the council) and put an advert in local PHV offices for a day/night track, this means sharing a car with another driver, this will keep costs down for you.

I would ring the larger PH firms, as most have vehicles that are owned and run by the firms.

I don't know what the licensing criteria is in Trafford, but why not drive a taxi part-time to see if the trade is for you. And if you like it then buy a PH.

_________________
IDFIMH

To drive a taxi part time would I have to have to have the same license, badge, topographical knowledge etc. as a full time driver? Or would it be on a more "casual" basis?

Many thanks for the responses

Haven't a clue, but your local licensing officer will be able to tell you.

_________________
IDFIMH

How many hours you would work would not be relevant you would still need to pass the same criteria even to work part time! Before you set off on the PH route just remember that an average week is often in excess of 60 hours on a quiet week.

Instead of renting a car have you thought about sriving on 50's initially. Many owner drivers already have their car in an office and are willing to have someone else drive them in exchange for half the take, less fuel etc. Lots of the bigger offices round here operate like this as well. You might not get the hours that you ideally want initially but its far better than getting a huge debt for a car, plate etc until you know that its right for you.

Your Council is definately your first port of call; obtain your licence and your in a far better position to negotiate. Its also worth contacting your local Education Department and applying for an Education Badge so that you can carry School Children unaccompanied - this gives you a slight edge over someone without one if your looking to go into an office or share a car.

Good luck!

First you need to contact licensing and obtain your drivers license. I think Trafford has a dual-purpose driver's license, or they used to? This will probably mean you have to take a knowledge test. If you want to license a vehicle then they have a testing procedure. I can't believe you haven't already contacted the licensing office in which case you will already have this information.

Regards

JD

All you need to know


Trafford Borough council

Hackney Carriage/Private Hire Driver's Licence
A licence is required before any person can drive a hackney carriage (taxi).

Before a licence is granted the applicant must satisfy the Council that:
He/She is a fit and proper person to hold a licence
He/She is medically fit
He/She has attained the age of 21 years
He/She has held a full driver's licence (not a provisional licence) granted to the applicant under Part III of the Road Traffic Act 1972 authorising him/her to drive a motor car for at least twelve months prior to the date of the application
He/She must pass a police criminality check carried out by the Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) to ensure safety to the public
Once the Application form has been completed, you need to make an appointment to visit our Offices, bringing with you the following documentation:

The completed application form
Your DVLA Driving Licence (original - not a photocopy) showing your current address
Your passport or birth certificate
3 colour passport type photographs taken within the last month
Fee - currently £165.20
Applications will not be accepted without production of the above.

The medical form needn't be completed at this stage. You may wait until the necessary checks have been returned to us and you have passed your topographical test. It is worth noting that, should you decide to withdraw your application for whatever reason, the fee paid by you to your GP is non-refundable. Therefore, it is entirely up to you to decide at which point during the application process that you have the medical.

Upon production of the forms at the licensing office, you will be asked to complete a form to enable us to check with the Criminal Records Bureau for any records held against you. Please be aware that we normally allow approximately up to 8 weeks from receipt of your application for return of these checks as this is the average time that they take.

Subject to your Criminal Records Bureau Check and the fee has been paid, an appointment will be made for you to sit the topographical test.

We look forward to receiving your application and if you have any difficulty with any of the forms or have any questions, please contact us on the below contact details.

Online Forms
Application for a Licence to drive a Hackney Carriage/Private Hire Vehicle
Conditions of a Private Hire Driver's Licence

Public Registers
If you wish to view the public register in relation to personal and premises licences, please see below:-