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Common Challenges Faced By Taxi Drivers

In 2021, there were around 251,100 taxis and private hire vehicles, which is a decrease of over 15% from 2020. Today, it’s been identified that there’s a shortage of taxis both in cities and in smaller towns. 

Considering this, you might want to take a look at starting a career as a taxi driver. But before you do, it’s important to understand the issues commonly experienced by taxi drivers as well as some of the advantages that come with the job. This way, you can decide if it’s a suitable job option for you. 

Rude Or Abusive Clients

As with many service jobs, customers can be unnecessarily rude at times. This is especially true for taxi drivers working late into the night and early hours of the morning when they’re dropping off and picking up potentially intoxicated customers. Of course, some people are just plain rude and will still be abusive towards a taxi driver, even if it’s 2:30 pm on a Saturday afternoon. 

While preventing these situations is not entirely possible, there are some measures that taxi drivers can take to make their lives a little easier. Adding CCTV cameras, plastic partitions, and lockable windows can be easily installed to ensure your safety as a taxi driver. Additionally, taxi drivers should try their best to remain calm when dealing with a rude customer. 

Customers Not Paying 

Unfortunately, non-payment is another problem taxi drivers frequently have to deal with. It’s important to note that customers who do not pay or get into your taxi, knowing that they don’t have the money to pay for the fare, are committing theft and fraud. These are serious offences that taxi drivers can and should report to the police. 

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Possibility Of Being Robbed

Opportunists often prey on taxi drivers as they assume they’re carrying significant sums of cash or other valuable items like cellphones. Nowadays, most taxis only accept card payments, but those that do not yet have this facility should look to have it installed. Additionally, taxi drivers can refuse a job if they feel it is unsafe to do so. However, the reason given for refusal must be valid. 

Obtaining Enhanced DBS Checks

The Department of Transport requires all taxi and private hire drivers to obtain an enhanced DBS check before they can become licensed drivers. This is due to the fact that they transport members of the public, so background checks need to be completed in order to safeguard potential passengers – especially vulnerable groups of people. 

These checks must be done every 6 months to ensure no issues have come up that would prevent them from being eligible to work as a taxi or private vehicle driver. This is done by signing up to the DBS update service. Not doing this can result in their licences being suspended. 

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