Taxi driver

Taxi drivers operate a licensed private passenger transportation vehicle, looking after customers, taking fares and managing vehicle servicing.

The duties of a taxi driver include, but are not limited to:

• Collecting clients at the start of their journey.
• Assisting clients with the loading and unloading of their baggage and other personal belongings, as needed.
• Starting and stopping the taximeter at the correct times.
• Selecting the fastest route to the client’s destination, unless otherwise requested.
• Driving clients to their destinations.
• Informing clients of services and attractions that may be of interest to them.
• Adhering to road regulations.
• Ensuring that clients remain safe throughout the journey.
• Processing cash payments, ensuring that you carry sufficient change at all times.
• Ensuring that the vehicle remains clean and in excellent working condition.

Taxi drivers work mostly in cities. Passengers may signal them by hand on the street or find them at hotels and airport terminals. When passengers call cab companies and request taxis, dispatchers contact drivers by two-way radios, cell phones, or computers.

At the start of their shifts, taxi drivers report to garages to pick up their cabs. They check the lights, brakes, and fuel level and start trip sheets, forms on which they record their destinations and fares. In some areas, taximeters determine fares based on distance and time.

Drivers turn the taximeters on as soon as passengers announce their destinations and stop them when passengers are dropped off. In other cities, fares are determined by zones or by flat rate. Extra charges may be in effect at night, for handling luggage, or for additional passengers. Information placards in the cabs usually explain how fares are determined.

Passengers sometimes give drivers tips. Taxi drivers must be expert at handling automobiles and know their cities thoroughly so they can make trips efficiently.

Taxi drivers work outdoors most of the time, always in a vehicle. They may work indoors for short periods, such as filling out paper work.

Taxi drivers are often exposed to contaminants, such as exhaust from cars. They are sometimes exposed to extremely bright or inadequate lighting while driving. Sometimes, they wear a special uniform.

Taxi drivers may work full time or part time. They may work long hours in a single day. They may work all schedules, including nights, evenings, weekends, and holidays.

The following job titles also refer to taxi driver:

driver of taxi
private hire driver
private driver
cab driver
chauffeur
minicab driver

No formal educational credential is generally required to work as taxi driver. A valid driving license, as well as a license or permit to transport passengers is required. In some circumstances, a clear criminal record may be required.

ISCO skill level is defined as a function of the complexity and range of tasks and duties to be performed in an occupation. It is measured on a scale from 1 to 4, with 1 the lowest level and 4 the highest, by considering:

• the nature of the work performed in an occupation in relation to the characteristic tasks and duties
• the level of formal education required for competent performance of the tasks and duties involved and
• the amount of informal on-the-job training and/or previous experience in a related occupation required for competent performance of these tasks and duties.

Taxi driver is a Skill level 2 occupation.

These occupations, although different, require a lot of knowledge and skills similar to taxi driver.

private chauffeur
bus driver
trolley bus driver
tram driver
cargo vehicle driver

This knowledge should be acquired through learning to fulfill the role of taxi driver.

• Geographic areas: Know the geographic area in detail; know where different organisations carry out operations.
• Mechanical components of vehicles: Know the mechanical components used in vehicles and identify and resolve potential malfunctions.
• Effective perception of transport environment: Know the local transport topography, including roads, traffic hotspots, and alternative routes to reach a destination. Use knowledge to transport the vehicle to its destination in the most time and fuel efficient manner, and minimising safety risks.

These skills are necessary for the role of taxi driver.

• Communicate with customers: Respond to and communicate with customers in the most efficient and appropriate manner to enable them to access the desired products or services, or any other help they may require.
• Drive in urban areas: Drive vehicles in urban areas. Interpret and understand transit signs in a city, the regulation of traffic, and the related common automobility agreements in an urban area.
• Read maps: Read maps effectively.
• Use different communication channels: Make use of various types of communication channels such as verbal, handwritten, digital and telephonic communication with the purpose of constructing and sharing ideas or information.
• Operate radio dispatch systems for taxis: Operate radio dispatching systems for taxi driving activities.
• Maintain vehicle appearance: Maintain vehicle appearance by washing, cleaning and performing minor adjustments and repairs.
• Handle petty cash: Handle petty cash for minor expenses and transactions required for the daily running of a business.
• Tolerate sitting for long periods: Have the patience to remain seated for long periods of time; maintain an appropriate and ergonomic posture while sitting.
• Ensure vehicle operability: Keep the vehicle clean and in roadworthy condition. Ensure regular maintenance of the vehicle and provide valid official documents such as licenses and permits where appropriate.
• Use communication devices: Operate communication devices in order to interact with customers, colleagues, and others.
• Operate GPS systems: Use GPS Systems.
• Apply knowledge of human behaviour: Practice principles related to group behaviour, trends in society, and influence of societal dynamics.
• Lift heavy weights: Lift heavy weights and apply ergonomic lifting techniques to avoid damaging the body.
• Park vehicles: Park motorised vehicles without compromising the integrity of vehicles and safety of people.
• Tolerate stress: Maintain a temperate mental state and effective performance under pressure or adverse circumstances.
• Provide customers with price information: Provide customers with accurate and up-to-date information about charges and price rates.
• Follow verbal instructions: Have the ability to follow spoken instructions received from colleagues. Strive to understand and clarify what is being requested.

These skills and competences are sometimes, but not always, required for the role of taxi driver. However, mastering these skills and competences allows you to have more opportunities for career development.

• Provide high-end driving services: Drive vehicles such as limousines or taxis for high-end services. Transport people and goods providing optimal service quality, safety, and efficiency.
• Adapt to changing situations: Change approach to situations based on unexpected and sudden changes in people’s needs and mood or in trends; shift strategies, improvise and naturally adapt to those circumstances.
• Maintain privacy of service users: Respect and maintain the dignity and privacy of the client, protecting his or her confidential information and clearly explaining policies about confidentiality to the client and other parties involved.
• Provide private transport services: Perform private transport services ensuring compliance with all applicable requirements. Ensure that consideration is given to the performance of this work with the aim of providing the best possible service to clients.
• Perform services in a flexible manner: Adapt service approach when circumstances change.

8322 – Car, taxi and van drivers

---

References

1. ESCO
2. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
3. Taxi Driver Job Description – BetterTeam
4. Taxi Driver Job Description – StateUniversity.com
5. Cab Drivers – Working Conditions – IllinoisWorkNet
6. Featured image: Photo by Tim Samuel from Pexels