It has never been a better time to become a taxi driver in Aberdeen! The taxi and Private Car Hire (PHC) industry have an abundance of work, bucking the trend for many of the other industries in Aberdeen. If you’re looking for jobs in Aberdeen, this could be the fresh start you deserve!
With an upturn in work and a drop in workers, there has never been a better time to step into a local cab. The taxi industry has seen a drop in drivers returning to work after lockdown with only 50% of gross vehicles working in Aberdeen. That’s only 500 cars servicing an area with a population of 230,000 people!
Many drivers have opted to retire through the pandemic, and some European drivers have returned home due to Brexit. With 60% of taxi drivers now over 60, your earning potential once you become a driver in Aberdeen is looking good for years to come!
Here’s Aberdeen Taxis’ guide to what it takes to become a taxi driver in Aberdeen, and why you might want to consider becoming a driver in the city.
What Does an Aberdeen Taxi Driver Do?
You will no doubt have been in the back of a taxi going here and there in Aberdeen and beyond. But here’s a taste of the duties you can expect when you decide to become a driver:
- Driving passengers to their destinations in a prompt, friendly manner.
- Accepting advance bookings and waiting on taxi ranks.
- Help passengers with their luggage.
- Assist passengers with mobility issues.
- Take on-the-spot payments from passengers, both cash and card payments.
- Keep your vehicle clean, roadworthy, and adhere to all COVID-19 health and safety measures.
- If self-employed, you should keep accounts and records.
How Much Does a Taxi Driver Earn?
How much you earn as a taxi driver depends wholly on the number of hours you choose to work. A full-time taxi driver could work from 40 to 60 hours a week, with the weekends being the busiest period. The more hours you are working, the more money you will earn taking people to and from their destinations.
You can also choose to be a self-employed driver. In this scenario, you will keep all your earnings and pay a fee to use a taxi operator’s platform for passenger bookings etc. Being self-employed means that you can choose when and how much you work, giving you greater freedom to work and earn as much as you like want!
The industry operates 24/7 and with a great office feeding you quality runs, it is up to you how much you earn. The more hours you work, the more money you can make. A full-time driver will easily make over 4 figures a week.
Why Become a Taxi or PHC Driver in Aberdeen?
Aberdeen has always been a lively, exciting city. It’s Scotland’s 3rd largest city and has a huge range of industries and activities that keep the locals and the 1.3 million tourists it sees every year entertained.
It has the iconic Codona’s Amusement Park, Slains Castle, many interesting museums, galleries, gardens, and shops. Add those to the countless pubs, clubs, cafés and restaurants that pepper the streets of Aberdeen and it’s no wonder the city is considered one of Scotland’s most attractive places to live and work.
The city is also the oil capital of Europe with thousands of oil and oil-related businesses workers living and travelling through the city. This and the many other industries that boost the Aberdeen economy helps make Aberdeen a lively place, and all this activity is run off the back of a thriving taxi and PHC industry, taking all these workers and entertainment seekers to the best destinations in Aberdeen.
Help the Community
So, why not get out and about and meet new and interesting people in the back of your cab! Help the local Aberdeen community recover from the trials of COVID-19 by providing an essential transportation service that is considered the safest way to travel during the pandemic.
Becoming a PHC or taxi driver in Aberdeen means you’ll have access to Aberdeen Taxis’ exceptional booking platform, giving you access to quality runs ranging from Airport transports to school runs and everything in between.
Become your own boss and earn on your terms. A fresh start and a new job in Aberdeen in the taxi business could release your earning potential!
How to Become a Driver in Aberdeen
To become a taxi driver in Scotland, you will need the following:
- You’ll need to be at least 21 years old.
- Have a clean current driving licence.
- Have been driving for at least 12 months.
- You will need to pass a test of knowledge about the Aberdeen area.
You will also need to apply for a special license to operate as a taxi driver. Also needed is a medical examination to make sure you’re fit enough to work as a taxi driver in Aberdeen. You will also need to be approved for the Vulnerable Groups (PVG) Scheme run by Disclosure Scotland. This is to check on any previous convictions that may exclude you from being able to become a taxi driver or PHC driver.
All the details of what you need to gain a license from the Aberdeen City Council can be found here.
Skills and Qualifications That Will Help You in Your Driving Career
Additional driver training like an Advanced Driving Test would be a great skill to have when you become a taxi driver in Aberdeen.
Some basic car maintenance skills would be a huge plus also. This skill will help keep your car on the road and those pesky maintenance costs down.
You will be dealing with people every day, so great customer service skills are a great help. But, if you’ve never worked in a customer-facing industry before, just a personable temperament and positive disposition can help your career in private car hire enormously.
How Do I Apply to Be a Taxi Driver?
Aberdeen Taxis are currently looking for both experienced and new taxi drivers. Contact Aberdeen Taxis on 01224 200200 or send the team an email about how they can help you join their ranks and get your taxi driving career in Aberdeen off on the right track and on the road with a few months of learning the knowledge.
Contact us now for more tips and advice.