Thinking about becoming a taxi driver? We have compiled a list of the steps you need to take in order to land the job you want as a taxi driver. The process differs depending on what country you live in, but here we will talk about the process in the United States.
1. Obtain a driver’s license. This one may seem obvious, but it is the first and one of the most important steps you will need to take. Being a taxi driver is a lot of responsibility, so it is vital that you are a safe and certified driver.
2. Make sure you are old enough. In most states the law is that you need to be 21 years old in order to be a taxi driver, however, depending on the city it may be as young as 18 years of age.
3. Obtain a taxi medallion. This is not required for all cities, but in some it is required that you purchase a taxi medallion in order to operate as a taxicab. This is typically expensive to obtain, so you should consider the cost when deciding if you want to be a taxi driver or not. If obtaining a taxi medallion is not in your budget, you can work for an existing taxi company and use their licensed cars for your shifts. If you choose to work for an existing company, you will only get a portion of the fares that come in.
4. Take a health test. A good majority of states will require that you pass a good health test to make sure you do not have any conditions that could potentially endanger a passenger. This may be dependent on the state and taxi company that you are choosing to apply for.
5. Go through a training course. There is no amount of formal education that is required to be a taxi driver, however depending on the city you may need to participate in driving training courses. They could last either days or weeks, depending on the city, and typically cover general driving and safety rules.
6. Go through a background check. In order to be a taxi driver, you must go through a criminal background check that may include fingerprints, a medical examination, and drug tests.
7. Decide if you want to be an independent driver. As a taxi driver, you could work for an existing taxi company and receive a percentage of the fares that come in, or you could operate independently and take in 100% of the fares, but also incur all the expenses that come along with operating a business.
As you can see, the process to becoming a taxi driver requires a lot of preparation. This is not something you can accomplish overnight. However, it is a great opportunity to get into the work force, especially because most taxi drivers have the ability to maintain a flexible work schedule, and work when they want to work.
