Taxi Drivers: What You Need to Get Started

If you are new to taxi driving, you will probably be knee-deep in paperwork and negotiating the unenviable task of licensing both yourself and your vehicle in preparation for becoming a Public Hire Driver (Hackney) or Private Hire Driver, so we are going to clarify some of the terminology and essentials you'll likely encounter as you get going.

What you need to know

Public Hire (Hackney)

You are licensed to pick up passengers from taxi ranks, without the need for pre-booking, whether this is outside a train or bus station or dotted around your local town. You can also accept pre-booked work either directly or through a licensed operator

Your vehicle will need to be liveried with an illuminated roof sign to indicate that the vehicle is for hire, plus any door signs required by your local council; in some areas, your vehicle will be required to be a certain colour to distinguish it from a private hire vehicle

Private Hire

You are licensed to pick up passengers who have pre-booked their trip through a licensed operator. The operator can be either an individual with an operator’s licence or a local taxi firm with an operator’s licence

Public Liability Insurance

You may, as a Taxi driver, carry out a school run either tendered for by yourself or through the company you work for. You will be required by the local authority to have a minimum of £5m Public Liability or more often £10m cover, and this ensures passengers are covered away from the vehicle

Replacement Taxi Hire

Your vehicle is the most important item in your toolbox, so if it becomes unavailable to use due to a fault, theft or attempted theft, fire or vandalism incident, you will be provided with a replacement hire vehicle up to a maximum of 14 days and 2 claims in any policy year

Breakdown Cover

A lifeline for you, your vehicle and your passengers if you break down. This covers national roadside assistance 24/7, recovery to a single UK destination for you, your vehicle and your passengers if the vehicle isn’t repairable roadside. Plus, all the benefits of roadside assistance at your home address. Don’t cut corners by assuming your free breakdown cover offered by your bank will offer the same levels of cover as above; always check the small print

Motor Excess Protection

Whether your insurance company have imposed a high excess or you choose a voluntary excess in addition to your compulsory excess to reduce your premium, excess protection is a fairly inexpensive policy choice. This policy covers the excess amount you have to pay for any successful claim made for damage or loss of your vehicle in the event of a fault accident, fire, theft or vandalism claim.

CCTV/Dash Cams

Whilst most councils now require internal CCTV being installed in their vehicles it would be beneficial for drivers to have a forward/rear facing camera or at least a Dash Cam installed as this can in some instances reduce the price of their insurance, but can also provide clear evidence in the event of a disputed claim, speeding up the claims process

Insurance

Got it, let's get going!

You are finally ready to get your taxi service on the road and earn some money. This is where we come in.

Insurance needs to be specifically for hire and reward, and one huge benefit of using an Insurance Broker is that you get access to their advice and knowledge

If you are looking for a taxi fleet, multi-vehicle or single-vehicle, with over 20 years’ experience in the taxi industry as a specialist taxi broker, we are here and ready to help, so pick up the phone and get in touch. And if you're still hesitant, take a look at our Google reviews!