Becoming a Taxi Driver

I think most of them rent the car. It can take up to 3 months to get the license. Insurance can be anything up to 5 grand.

Chauffeur work would be more pleasant and less stress

Get a van if you’re going to do it. Separate yourself from the fares. Added safety if you’re working nights. Wheelchair accessible van and you’ll never be short of work.

Though, this has been posted in after hours so should this thread be wrong answers only?

Practice saying these convincingly

‘These other drivers don’t understand what it’s like when you make your living from the road’

‘I don’t get paid for my holidays or when I’m sick’

‘The price of tyres, I tell ya!’

‘Cash or Revolut ok?’

All the animals come out at night

Damn, I knew somebody would have beaten me to it. I bet it could be quite the life ferrying drunk people home at 2-3am!! Search "Homer Simpson Taxicab conversations" or similar on YouTube?

I’d actually love to just do tours - a nice 8 seater minibus - off on day trips to the west of Ireland or Kerry every few days with high paying tourists doing their own private tour - it would be hard work but enjoyable too - but a standard taxi, absolutely no way- possibly if in a small rural town or village where everyone is known but definitely not in a city

A friend of min is a taxi driver - semi retirement from a senior accountancy role.

Loves it.

He does a lot of airport runs and also does Dublin city at the weekends - BUT, contracts himself to restaurants and bars for bringing their staff and some "vip" customers home.

It will suit some people but not others. if you like talking to strangers and people you will probably enjoy it, if not you will hate it. nights aren't worth it, paddy is a mess on a night out and he/she will take it out on you as some of them see you as their personal servant and a piece of dirt.

Know a lad does it in Dublin. Does well out of it I think. Said you have 2 seconds to decide on someone flagging you down n he is quite selective.

A lot of taxi drivers just do daytime now around me, hse work etc

Do you hate office work that much? Now with hybrid work you could have a much more peaceful existence working from home a few days a week.

did it for years on nights before the de-regulation(i was a cosy) yes i made good money,yes i was my own boss but you have to put in the hours and night work will mess up your home life in every way,if you can work days,rent the car and plate for a few months to see if its for you,some take to it,some dont as youll have to listen to every gobdaw under the sun and have the patience of a saint to put up with them and the traffic! would i go back to it..? not in a fit!