How to become a taxi driver: advice and suggestions

Recently, the taxi driver profession has been a hot topic on the news and in the press. It’s not surprising considering the crisis that this line of work currently is suffering! Nevertheless, the taxi-driving occupation remains a popular service used by many to get to wherever they need to, quickly and easily. But how do you kick start a career in taxi-driving ? What are the ins and outs of the industry? What about the necessary training, the rules and regulations? If you want to find out more, you’ve come to the right place! Let’s get started.

Getting a taxi driver’s permit: specific training required

The first thing you need to do to become a taxi driver is to obtain the professional taxi driving certificate (in French, the CCPT, or certificat de capacité professionelle de chauffeur de taxi). This certificate is available in any one of the forty driving schools around Paris. The CCPT is the first vital move in kick-starting your career in taxi driving , and after passing the test, you will be awarded a professional permit by the administrative office of the region. However, to ensure you pass this exam with flying colours, there are certain entry requirements to note. Firstly, you must have held a full driver’s licence for a minimum of two years before taking the exam. You must also have medical proof to show you are fit to transport others in your car. Next, the candidate will follow a training programme of 400 hours (usually over 4 months) which focuses on both practical and theoretical elements. And if you’re wondering how much this intensive course will set you back, the average investment on the taxi driving training is 2500 euros. After the course, though, you’ll know all the tricks of the trade and will be ready for the full-time profession.

Becoming a taxi driver: a highly regulated practice

In any profession, legislation is of utmost importance. And for taxi drivers, it’s no different. To obtain the taxi driver’s licence , you must be prepared for a rigorous set of regulations. First up is the choice of your status. Strange as it may seem, taxi drivers do not all have the same status! For example, there are some contracted drivers who only work for one company – and, surprisingly, they only make up about 20% of all drivers in the profession. Other statuses might include leaseholder, self-employed, or even contracted shareholders. The leaseholder status (as the name indicates) is for any driver who rents his vehicle from a company, therefore necessitating strict regulations to avoid misuse. This type of driver works with vehicles that he/she does not own themselves, but ones that belong to an authorized taxi company. They therefore must pay certain charges including a monthly or quarterly usage fee to cover all costs for the service, as well as the cost of fuel. This regulation is vital for the smooth running of the taxi service and to avoid exploitation. Despite the wide range of choice of statuses, none of them is ideal. Becoming a taxi driver is a serious, though-out decision.

Taxi drivers: the shortcomings of an ancient trade

Any profession has its imperfections – and this old trade dating back to the 17th century is certainly no exception. Since then, the business has evolved and become popularised, especially in big cities. Gradually, taxis have become an irreplaceable companion for most of us. Whether it’s at home or abroad, taxis make our lives easier in moments of stress, laziness or immobility. But let’s now put ourselves in the driver’s shoes and explore some of the lesser discussed issues relating to the job.
Long, repetitive and late hours. Disagreeable customers: sometimes even drunk or dishonest. An unstable profession which depends largely on external demand. A sedentary job, but one which necessitates a keen knowledge of every single part of town… These are just a few of the shortcomings which complicate the task, and could put potential drivers off. Contrary to popular belief, taxi drivers don’t just drive and chat. Take note: becoming a taxi driver is not as simple as it seems, and merits a good deal of thought before choosing it as a full-time profession.

Leave a comment :

(Aucun vote)

Loading...