Taxi driver apprenticeships

Taxi and cab drivers and chauffeurs > Taxi Driver

Taxi driver apprenticeships - where to start

You can get into this job through

a college course

applying directly

College

You may be able to do a college course, which could give you an advantage when looking for work. Courses include:

Level 2 Certificate in Road Passenger Vehicle Driving - Taxi and Private Hire
Level 2 Certificate in Introduction to the Role of the Professional Taxi and Private Hire Driver

You'll usually need 2 or more GCSEs at grades 9 to 3 (A* to D), or equivalent, for a Level 2 course.

Direct Application

You can apply directly to become a taxi driver if you've got a taxi driver's licence. This is often a common way into this job. You'll need to meet the registration and licensing requirements of the taxi company you'll be working for and the local authority area where you'll operate. You'll usually need your own vehicle. You'll need a taxi driver's licence from your local council's licensing unit or Transport for London (TfL), if you want to work in the capital

Taxi driver apprenticeships - what it takes

Skills and knowledge

You'll need:

customer service skills
excellent verbal communication skills
active listening skills
the ability to work well with others
patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
the ability to accept criticism and work well under pressure
knowledge of public safety and security
to be thorough and pay attention to detail
to be able to carry out basic tasks on a computer or hand-held device

Restrictions and Requirements

You'll need to:

complete a driving skills assessment
have a full UK or EU driving licence, held for at least 12 months, or 3 years if working in London
pass background checks
pass a medical check
be over 18 but over 21 in some areas, including London
pass a local geography test, known as 'The Knowledge' if working in London
if you work in London, you'll need to meet the English language requirement

If you're a private hire driver, you'll need hire or reward insurance. You may also want to take out public liability insurance.

Taxi driver apprenticeships - what you'll do

Day-to-day tasks

In this job, you will:

take job details over the radio, by phone, on the in-car computer or via an app
help to load and unload passengers' luggage
help passengers to get in and out of the vehicle if required
take payments for fares or log them online
keep your vehicle clean and in a roadworthy condition
make sure accounts and records up to date

Working environment

You could work from a vehicle. Your working environment may be emotionally demanding and you'll travel often.

Career path and progression - Taxi driver apprenticeships

If you're employed by a larger taxi firm, you could become a supervisor or manager in the dispatch control room. You could also move into taxi licensing with a local authority. As a self-employed driver, you could become a taxi operator and increase your earnings by running a private hire firm, employing other drivers.

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Considering an Apprenticeship?

There are lots of benefits to apprenticeships, here are our top 5:

Paid Training
Not only will your organisation (or the Government) pay for all of your training, but you’ll be paid to do it. That means you could actually get paid to get your degree and have no debt!
Range of career opportunities
There are over 625 different apprenticeships to choose from, in a range of industries. Whether you’re interested in law, marketing, construction or engineering, you’ll find something up your street!
Earn & learn
As an apprentice, the minimum you’ll earn is £6.20 an hour, but we’ve seen apprentices earn a starting salary of up to £30,000 a year! You could also get other employee benefits like gym memberships, paid holiday and sick pay.
Great career prospects
Employers think apprentices are 15% more employable than those with other qualifications. In fact, many large employers train their graduates and apprentices together!
Learn on the job
There’s only so much you can learn when you just do a qualification. As an apprentice, you’ll also get to learn on the job - whether that’s designing amazing graphics, chopping vegetables or building engines!

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