Taxi Drivers and Chauffeurs

Career summary

#No alt titles

Taxi drivers transport people between home, work, and recreational activities.

Taxi drivers

Taxi drivers spend much of their time looking for people needing a taxi, or fares. They pick up passengers at taxi stands or at airports or train stations. They may pick up passengers at prearranged meeting places. The taxi company dispatches drivers to these locations over the radio or cell phone.

Taxi drivers help passengers into the cab and load their luggage. They drive passengers to their destination. They compute the fare from the taximeter.

Taxi drivers may perform minor maintenance on their taxi to ensure it is running correctly. They record information about the cab and about fares on a trip sheet. Self-employed drivers clean, maintain, and repair their own cabs.

Some taxi drivers transport people with special needs, such as those with disabilities and the elderly. They drive vans with special equipment. Sometimes they perform errands for customers, such as carrying mail to and from the post office. Some drivers deliver cars to customers from rental agencies or repair shops.

Chauffeurs

Many chauffeurs drive customers in large vans between hotels and airports or train stations. Others drive luxury cars to business or social events. Some provide full-time transportation to families or private firms.

Chauffeurs drive:

• Limousines
• Vans
• Private cars

Related careers

This career is part of the Transportation, Distribution, and Logistics cluster of careers.

Related careers include:

• Ambulance Drivers
• Bus Drivers
• Couriers and Messengers
• Light Truck Drivers
• Parking Enforcement Officers
• Parking Lot Attendants
• Route Salespeople
• School Bus Drivers
• Subway and Streetcar Operators

Job duties

Task list

The following list of tasks is specific to taxi drivers and chauffeurs.

• Report to taxi service or garage for assigned car.
• Pick up passengers at prearranged places, taxi stands, or by cruising streets in high traffic areas.
• Turn the taximeter on when passengers enter the cab. Turn meter off when they reach their location.
• Communicate with dispatcher by radio, cell phone, or computer.
• Drive passengers to destinations using quickest route.
• Follow rules for taxi operation. Make sure passengers follow safety guidelines.
• Maintain car by adding gas, oil, water, or air. May vacuum and clean interior and wash and wax exterior of cab, especially if owner-drivers.
• Pick up employers according to schedules.
• Check performance of lights, brakes, horn, and wipers. Notify dispatchers or company mechanics of vehicle problems.
• May operate vans with special equipment, such as a wheelchair lift, if transporting people with special needs.
• Record information about fares on trip sheet. Include name, date, and taxi identification information.
• Determine fare based on distance and time of trip, using taximeter and fee schedules. Collect fees from passengers. Make change and prepare receipts.
• Assist passengers with luggage and getting in and out of cab.
• May perform errands for customers, such as carrying mail to and from post office.
• Complete accident reports when necessary.

Common work activities

Taxi drivers and chauffeurs perform the following tasks. These tasks are common to many careers.

• Operate vehicles or mechanized equipment
• Get information needed to do the job
• Inspect equipment, structures, or materials
• Communicate with supervisors, peers, or subordinates
• Perform for or work with the public
• Identify objects, actions, and events
• Document and record information
• Assist and care for others
• Communicate with people outside the organization
• Monitor events, materials, and surroundings
• Judge the value of objects, services, or people
• Make decisions and solve problems
• Resolve conflicts and negotiate with others
• Establish and maintain relationships
• Evaluate information against standards
• Handle and move objects

Work requirements

Working conditions

In a typical work setting, taxi drivers and chauffeurs:

Interpersonal relationships

• Have a high level of social contact. They deal with many passengers throughout the day.
• Are responsible for the safety of passengers.
• Sometimes deal with unpleasant, angry, or discourteous passengers.
• Are responsible for their work outcomes.
• Communicate with dispatchers and public daily by telephone or in person.
• Work in a group or as part of a team.

Physical work conditions

• Work outdoors most of the time. May work indoors for short periods, such a when filling out paper work.
• Always work in a vehicle.
• Are often exposed to contaminants, such as exhaust from cars.
• Are sometimes exposed to extremely bright or inadequate lighting while driving.
• Work near other people, but usually have a few feet of space separating them from passengers.
• Sometimes wear a special uniform.

Work performance

• Must be exact in their work. Errors could seriously endanger the safety of passengers.
• Make decisions on a daily basis that strongly impact clients and the reputation of the company. They rarely consult with supervisors before making decisions.
• Rarely consult a supervisor before setting tasks for the day. This is because they do many of the same tasks throughout the day.
• Must meet strict deadlines daily.

Hours/travel

• Generally have a set schedule each week.
• May work full time or part time, but most work 40 hours a week.
• May work long hours in a single day.
• May work all schedules, including nights, evenings, weekends, and holidays.

Physical demands

Taxi drivers and chauffeurs frequently:

• Sit for long periods of time.
• Use their hands to handle, control, or feel objects, tools, or controls.

It is important for taxi drivers and chauffeurs to be able to:

• See details of objects that are more than a few feet away.
• See details of objects that are less than a few feet away.
• Make quick, precise adjustments to machine controls.
• Move two or more limbs together (for example, two arms, two legs, or one leg and one arm) while remaining in place.
• Choose quickly and correctly among various movements when responding to different signals.
• React quickly using hands, fingers, or feet.
• Determine the distance between objects.
• See objects in very bright or glaring light.
• Understand the speech of another person.
• While looking forward, see objects or movements that are off to the side.
• Adjust body movements or equipment controls to keep pace with speed changes of moving objects.
• Hold the arm and hand in one position or hold the hand steady while moving the arm.
• Use one or two hands to grasp, move, or assemble objects.
• Use stomach and lower back muscles to support the body for long periods without getting tired.
• Focus on one source of sound and ignore others.
• Speak clearly so listeners can understand.

It is not as important, but still necessary, for taxi drivers and chauffeurs to be able to:

• Hear sounds and recognize the difference between them.
• See differences between colors, shades, and brightness.
• See objects in very low light.
• Determine from which direction a sound came.
• Use fingers to grasp, move, or assemble very small objects.
• Use muscles to lift, push, pull, or carry heavy objects.
• Bend, stretch, twist, or reach out.
• Coordinate movement of several parts of the body, such as arms and legs, while the body is moving.
• Keep or regain the body's balance or stay upright when in an unstable position.

Skills and abilities

Taxi drivers and chauffeurs need to:

Communicate

• Understand spoken information.
• Listen to others and ask questions.
• Speak clearly so listeners can understand.
• Understand written information.

Reason and problem solve

• Notice when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong.
• Concentrate and not be distracted while performing a task.
• Follow guidelines to arrange objects or actions in a certain order.
• Combine several pieces of information and draw conclusions.

Manage oneself, people, time, and things

• Go back and forth between two or more activities or sources of information without becoming confused.
• Check how well one is learning or doing something.
• Manage the time of self and others.

Work with people

• Be aware of others' reactions and understand the possible causes.
• Look for ways to help people.

Work with things

• Operate and control equipment.
• Watch gauges, dials, and output to make sure a machine is working properly.

Perceive and visualize

• Know one's location in a physical setting and recognize where other objects are located in relation to oneself.

Education and training

Educational programs

The programs of study listed below will help you prepare for the occupation or career cluster you are exploring.

Programs of study directly related to this occupation

• Heavy Equipment Operations
• Truck and Bus Driving

Other programs of study to consider

• Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations

Training

To work as a taxi driver or chauffeur, you typically need to:

• have a driver's license;
• have a taxi or chauffeur's license;
• have a good driving record; and
• complete short-term, on-the-job training.

Education after high school

No formal education is required for this job. However, many employers prefer that you have a high school diploma or its equivalent.

Some cities require taxi license applicants to complete a training program. In these programs, you study taxi regulations, route planning, and services for people who have disabilities.

Work experience

Experience dealing with people or maintaining a vehicle is good preparation for this occupation.

On-the-job training

Some taxi companies give new drivers on-the-job training. They show you how to operate the taximeter and communications equipment. They may also teach you how to do paperwork. Training may last a few hours or up to one month.

Helpful high school courses

You should take a general high school curriculum that meets the state's graduation requirements. You will be required to take both math and science classes to graduate.

Helpful electives to take in high school that prepare you for this career include:

• Auto Repair Technology
• Driver Education
• Introduction to Mechanics

Many taxi drivers and chauffeurs are self-employed. If you want to run your own business some day, you should consider taking these courses as well:

• Accounting
• Entrepreneurship
• Introduction to Business

The courses listed above are meant to help you create your high school plan. If you have not already done so, talk to a school counselor or parent about the courses you are considering taking.

You should also check with a teacher or counselor to see if work-based learning opportunities are available in your school and community. These might include field trips, job shadowing, internships, and actual work experience. The goal of these activities is to help you connect your school experiences with real-life work.

Join some groups, try some hobbies, or volunteer with an organization that interests you. By participating in activities you can have fun, make new friends, and learn about yourself. Maybe one of them will help direct you to a future career. Here are examples of activities and groups that may be available in your high school or community.

Things to know

Employers may have age minimums and may also require a high school diploma or equivalent. Many employers require good driving records. They may check an applicant's medical, criminal, and credit record.

Most employers require a chauffeur or taxi driver's license. However, some companies will sponsor applicants and give them a temporary permit that allows them to drive. This permit allows people to drive even though they have not yet finished the training program or passed the license test.

Employers prefer applicants who can get along with many different types of people. Employers look for taxi drivers who are patient and have even tempers. Employers also prefer drivers who are dependable and responsible enough to work with little supervision.

Most employers also require applicants to be able to speak, read, and write English. A neat and clean appearance is important since the job requires regular contact with people.

Tips

Customer relations training is recommended by some employers. Independent drivers should be trained in basic accounting and business. Knowledge of mechanics can allow independent drivers to cut auto repair expenses.

Costs to workers

Drivers may have to pay some of the cost of buying uniforms if they are not supplied by the employer. Drivers who belong to a union pay an initiation fee and quarterly dues. Taxi cab drivers usually lease their cabs and pay for their own gasoline. Self-employed cab drivers must also pay an initial $55 per vehicle and $25 per meter state fee or pay a local government permit fee. The state annual per vehicle renewal fee is $55 per vehicle and $25 for each meter, plus a $11 processing fee.

#checked 4/25/06 lh. Checked CTW 4/5/07 (info on chauffeurs fees at: http://www.dol.wa.gov/business/limousine/index.html),  CJ. Checked & updated state fee 4/14/09, cj. Checked CTW info 5/6/11, cj. Updated state fees 5/7/13 cj. Updated some of the self-employed vehicle fees 4/13/15 cj. Fees still same 2/21/17 cj. Taxi licensing info: https://www.dol.wa.gov/business/taxis/taxisfees.html.  Checked this section 3/12/19 cj.

Licensing/certification

Taxi drivers and chauffeurs must have a regular Washington State driver's license. Chauffeurs who are hired to operate a limousine must also:

• be at least 21 years of age;
• go through a background check;
• pass drug screening test;
• take a training course approved by the Washington State Department of Licensing;
• pass a written exam;
• have regular physicals and file a medical certificate every two years to prove fitness to drive a limousine;
• pay required fees.

Self-employed operators must also carry liability insurance.

For information on chauffeur licensing, contact:

Washington State Department of Licensing
Master License Service 
PO Box 9034
Olympia, WA 98507-9034
800.451.7985

For more information on taxi driver licensing, contact:

Washington State Department of Licensing
Driver Examining 
PO Box 9034
Olympia, WA 98507-9034
800.451.7985

#Checked 3/12/19, cj; contact # & address for Taxi licenses & renewals now same as for limousines but link goes to different page. 2/18/20

Job listings

Listed below are links to job categories from the National Labor Exchange that relate to this career. Once you get a list of jobs, you can view information about individual jobs and find out how to apply. If your job search finds too many openings, or if you wish to search for jobs outside of Washington, you will need to refine your search.

• Taxi Drivers and Chauffeurs 

To get a listing of current jobs from the WorkSource system, go to the WorkSource website .

Wages

The minimum wage for Washington State as of January 1, 2020 is $13.50 per hour. Some areas of the state may have a higher minimum wage.

Wages vary by area of the country. Wages are generally higher in large cities. The wages given do not include tips, which can be substantial.

Benefits vary by employer. Some full-time drivers receive benefits such as paid vacation, sick leave, and health insurance. Part-time drivers may not receive any benefits. Self-employed taxi drivers and chauffeurs must provide their own insurance.

Employment and outlook

Washington outlook

The table below provides information about the number of workers in this career in various regions. It also provides information about the expected growth rate and future job openings.

National employment

About 43% of taxi drivers and chauffeurs are self-employed.

Major employers:

• Taxi and limousine companies
• Shuttle services
• Car rental companies

National outlook

Demand for this occupation will be steady. Much of the growth in jobs for drivers will come as the population increases and requires more transportation. Opportunities should be best in rapidly growing urban areas. In addition, thousands of job openings will occur each year as drivers transfer to other occupations. Drivers with good driving records and the ability to work flexible schedules will have the best opportunities.

Employment for taxi drivers and chauffeurs can change from month to month. Extra drivers are often hired during holiday seasons and peak tourist times. When the economy slows down, drivers are rarely laid off, but they may work fewer hours.

Job turnover is high. Job prospects are best for those with a clean driving record and flexible schedule.

Other resources

References

Career cluster

• Transportation, Distribution, and Logistics

Career path

• Realistic (Technical)

O*Net  occupation

• Taxi Drivers and Chauffeurs (53-3041.00) 

O*Net job zone 

• Job Zone 2 - Some preparation needed. Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience may be helpful in these occupations, but usually is not needed.

DOT occupations

• Chauffeur (359.673-010) 
• Chauffeur (913.663-010) 
• Chauffeur, Funeral Car (359.673-014) 
• Deliverer, Car Rental (919.663-010) 
• Driver (919.683-014) 
• Taxi Driver (913.463-018) 

Holland occupational cluster

• Realistic/Enterprising/Social

COPSystem

• Service Skilled