Transport Skills On Merseyside-The Taxi Trade

Tony Norbury

Steve Woods

What's your knowledge of the taxi job?

• How many licensing areas are there on Merseyside?

• Do you need any formal qualifications to be a taxi driver on Merseyside?

• What makes up your weekly costs?

• What is the main employment status of taxi and private hire drivers?

Merseytravel and Merseylearn• Merseylearn are part of Merseytravel, supporting

people across Merseyside to gain qualifications and employment in the transport sector

• We work with Job Centre Plus and Licensing Authorities to support people to get the qualifications they need to work in the taxi sector

• We also work with learning providers and the Sector Skills Council, People 1st, to make sure the qualifications are available and to get the best from government funding

Merseyside Area

You and Your Skills

• Why do you want to be a taxi driver?• What skills or experience do you have that would

relate the job?• What’s actually involved and why?

Requirements

• What do I need?– Have a UK driving license– Pass an enhanced CRB check– Pass a class 2 medical– Pass the local authority knowledge test– Hold a VRQ or NVQ qualification in taxi – Apply for your license

Learning • Knowledge Test

– Basic memory test• Roads, places of interest, routes

• VRQ/NVQ– Understanding of equality and diversity– Customer Service skills– Health & Safety– Licensing laws

The Criminal Records Check (DBS)• Licensing Authorities have a duty to protect the public by making sure that taxi and

private hire drivers meet a “fit and proper” criteria, so you will need to tell the licensing authority about any criminal convictions you have.

• You’ll need to apply for a form from the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) and you then need to share the results with the Licensing Authority – this can take up to 6 weeks to come back, but is normally sooner.

• All convictions, however minor or long ago, need to be disclosed

• The Authority have guidelines from the government regarding the convictions that will prevent people being a taxi driver. In some cases applicants may need to attend a licensing panel to discuss your convictions.

• If you are not happy with the advice you have been given or any decisions taken regarding the panel you can appeal to magistrates

Taxi and Private Hire Drivers are mostly Self Employed

• Advantages of self employment

• Flexible hours that suit you• Your own boss• Freedom to work at other trades• Your own business• Earn as much as you can

• Disadvantages of self employment• Have to sort out your own tax, national insurance etc.• Isolation• No paid holidays• Limited employment support

Basic Costs• Fixed Costs Money out

– Settle radio rent– Insurance– Petrol– HMRC Tax + National Insurance– Car rental or finance– Emergency fund for repairs etc– Training/ licensing fees– Accountants fee– Advertising/ own airport work specialised transport

• Income Considerations– The money you take on the road is your own– Hours you need to work to get that money– Effect of hours on your personal circumstances– Which radio firm are you going to work off to get the best value for your time

Health & Wellbeing

• Important to be aware of health and wellbeing issues• How the taxi and private hire job and lifestyle can

lead to health and well being issues• Trade representation, Unions, and Professional

membership schemes

Creating a work-life balance

What's your knowledge of the taxi job?

• How many licensing areas are there on Merseyside?

• Do you need any formal qualifications to be a taxi driver on Merseyside?

• What makes up your weekly costs?

• What is the main employment status of taxi and private hire drivers?

Next Steps• Research the area you want to work• Talk to the licensing officers in your chosen area• Research the operators that work out of that area,

speak to drivers if possible• Get some quotes for insurance and a settle car if

needed• Create a budget/business plan• Apply for your CRB • Enrol on the training• Apply to licensing

Thank you

• Any Questions?

More information is available on www.merseylearn.net