Is Private Hire Taxi a Good Job?

The short answer is yes, being a private hire driver is a good full or part-time job, but you’ll have to read the entire article to make up your mind.

With the use of private hire drivers in the UK getting more popular, especially in bustling cities like London, becoming a private hire taxi driver, even as a part-time job, can be lucrative. With this job, you can make your own time and have complete control of your earnings.

Are you considering a career as a private hire driver and wondering if it is the right career for you?

If yes, keep reading. This article will show you the daily responsibilities, how you can become one and stay successful, and the pros and cons of this career choice. So, let's get right to it.

Also Learn: A Comprehensive Guide on How to Start a Taxi Driving Career

Who is a Private Hire Taxi Driver?

A private hire taxi driver simply refers to a driver that transports their pre-booked passengers from one place to the other. They should not be confused with normal taxi drivers who can pick up passengers from the side of the road.

The main difference is that private hire drivers can only pick up pre-booked passengers, usually through rideshare apps like Uber, whereas normal taxi drivers can pick up passengers on the street.

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Private Hire Taxi day-to-day routine

No two private hire drivers have the same routine, as some can start work during the day, while others prefer working at night. This shows that they mostly make their own hours. Some can decide to work only five hours daily, while others can work all day.

With this job, drivers browse rideshare apps for customers, book the journey, and take the customer to their destination. This cycle goes on until the driver is ready to close for the day. However, your car as a private hire driver is the most important part of the service, as you need to ensure that it is in good condition for continuous journeys.

Expert insights to remain successful as a Private Hire Driver

Every job has rules that you need to follow to remain successful, and below are a few tips for private-hire taxi drivers.

Since most private hire taxi drivers use rideshare apps, and most of these apps use a rating system, you need to ensure that you remain at a good rating to increase your chances of always having passengers.
Ensure that you listen to your passengers and use the expected route to their destination. This will reduce panic and keep them relaxed throughout the journey.
Make sure that you are driving safely and following the traffic rules. This will help increase your ranks, and better ranks increase your chances of having more passengers.
Have a schedule. While being your boss is a nice perk, you need to have a set schedule to enable you to get the most out of your working hours.
Be sociable and friendly. While you need to be friendly, you must also ensure that you do not inconvenience your passengers, as this can sometimes reduce your ratings.
You must have an efficient car. If your car is constantly breaking down, your income will continuously deplete, as you cannot be a driver without a car.

Pros of being a Private Hire Taxi Driver

There are many advantages to becoming a private hire taxi driver, so let’s look at some of them.

Flexible schedule
You are your own boss
You determine how much you earn
The process of becoming a private hire taxi driver is very straightforward
You increase your familiarity with your city

Cons of Being a Private Hire Taxi Driver

Just like with any career, there are a few drawbacks to being a private hire taxi driver.

Your earning potential fluctuates
The taxi industry is very competitive
The entire responsibility of starting your private hire driving service falls solely on you.
Some passengers can be difficult

How much can you make as a Private Taxi Driver

According to Glassdoor, private hire taxi drivers can earn between £22,000 and £36,000, with an average of £27,992 yearly. On the other hand, Talent puts the average salary for private hire drivers at £30,225 annually or £15.50 hourly.

Despite the varying reports, the stated earning potential shows that this career is indeed lucrative and can put you into the top 60% of UK earners.

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Steps to Becoming a Private Hire Taxi Driver

Now that you know what being a private hire taxi driver entails, you need to understand the steps to take to become one.

The first thing you need is a UK driver's licence, as you need to be able to drive legally in the country. Most cities require that you be at least 21 years old, but in London, you just need three years of driving experience to qualify.

Other steps you need to take include:

Finishing Taxi Driver Training

There are different taxi driver training courses that you can take. If you have more than two GCSEs, you can complete either the Level 2 Certificate in Road Passenger Vehicle Driving: Taxi and Private Hire or the Level 2 Certificate in Introduction to the Role of the Professional Taxi and Private Hire Drivers.

Additionally, you can complete advanced driving courses that can prove your taxi driver experience and provide some perks.

Getting a Taxi Driver’s Licence

To drive a private hire vehicle, you need to have an official taxi driver’s licence. You can apply for the licence through your local transport authority.

Before you can get this licence, you may be expected to complete a medical assessment, driving skills assessment, Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check, English language assessment and local road knowledge test.

Besides, you need to take out public liability insurance and a hire and reward insurance policy as a private hire driver.

Fulfil some Eligibility Criteria

Besides the training and assessments, you need to meet some eligibility criteria before you can become a private-hire taxi driver.

You must be able to work in the UK legally, have a full British, Northern Ireland, or EU driving license for at least a year, and pass all the background checks.

Is Private Hire Taxi a good career choice?

As you have seen, being a private hire taxi driver is a lucrative profession where you can earn up to £30,000 annually.

It is also quite easy to become one as the barrier of entry is quite low. Besides, the appeal of having control over how much you earn and setting your own hours makes this career quite alluring. Additionally, you are not restricted to only taxi driving, you can branch into other private hire services like chauffeur services and airport shuttle.