The application process and all that it requires can be compared to cooking a fry-up; you don’t want to pop your toast down before you have even got the bacon out the fridge. You want everything to be ready at the same time so this is why you need to plan. To be honest it took me about 9 weeks when I could have done it in less than 6. But you live and learn.
To get an idea of where and whom it is best to work for and info on salary and conditions etc you need to speak to local drivers; get a taxi to the supermarket, or ask on the way home from the pub etc, and for gods sake tip the poor bugger. ;)
As a guide; the application takes from 6-8 weeks. The best approach is to try to book everything ASAP, don’t wait for your CRB to come back before you book the medical, book them all now and you won’t waste any time.
Your first step is to call your local council and arrange an appointment to meet with the licensing department, you may have to wait about 2 weeks for the appointment so book early. In this initial appointment you will be asked to bring a valid full UK driving licence (with paper counterpart). A passport or birth certificate. And money for your CRB (Criminal record check), street knowledge test, DVLA mandate etc (see earlier posts for more details). Your CRB will take 6 weeks (less if you’re lucky) to come back. In the meantime there are other things you can do, read on.
If all goes well with your first appointment you should call or visit the licensing department again to arrange a date for your street knowledge test. You should also get on the internet and order a large fold out map of your city. Get them from Amazon.co.uk or similar as they are very pricey in the shops. I will do more on the knowledge soon. You will need a small A-Z book for your city and a 'fold out map' (again A-Z) for revising your street knowledge.
Also try and arrange for your medical at the same time. I saved £45 just by calling around, my doctor wanted £90, I phoned a few and got it down to £60 but in the end one of the councils licensing officers advised me on a doc that could do it for £45 – bargain.
Check there is no customer service courses you have to attend, the council didn’t tell me I had to go on one until I went to collect my plate so I had to wait another 3 weeks t work.
You now need to be thinking about a car and insurance, I will go into more detail as this is a blog all of its own. If you’re a Hack then you will be renting so your insurance and vehicle will be taken care of by the cab plate holder. I would also recommend renting a settle car for Private hire drivers. At least for the first 4-8 weeks, it gives you a chance to see if you like the job before making any financial commitments, insurance will be part of the rental cost. It also gives you time to shop around for a better deal if you want to buy. Most taxi companies should be able to offer you settle cars. Prices vary a lot i've heard they range from £150 up to £300 but to be honest with you i have never used them (wish i had starting out though) The company i work for charges £200 for a Skoda Octavia, that is about average. I will get more info on this and make it a future blog.
If you've read this far you deserve a cuppa so go and put the kettle on.
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19 comments:
when you become a taxi driver do you have to get a crb check every year?
Good question! No, one you have your taxi licence yuo will only need to have a criminal record check every 3 years. Thanks for your comment! :)
With settle cars I know you said with some firms that is with insurance but do you have to pay for your radio hire on top of this?
settle cars normally include insurance but always ask first :)
So you would have to pay a radio settle on top of the car?
settle cars normally include insurance in the price. but sometimes it will be an additional cost. always ask first if your not sure.
il answer you anonymous, the radio rental is not included, that will be an additional cost, around 80 per week on top
my friend is going to be 1 of 4 directors in a taxi firm and he is also going 2 drive. he had a conviction of a serious nature when younger will this affect his position
it depends on how he presents himself to the review board which anyone with a previous conviction will face. Certain offences will rule him out all together i.e. sexual offences. Violent crime will usually do the same unless it is long in the past and he can prove he is changed. I know of a guy who was convicted of drink driving and later gained his licence. I am sure there will be regular checks too.
hi how much is a standerd fist time licence as thinking of a new job
Hi Ben, thanks for the post. The licence is only one part of a number of things you need to pay for. You have medical, crb checks, exam fees, plate fees, licence and maybe some other costs. It cos me around £450 all in to get on the road (excluding car/tax/insurance!).
The best bet is go on your councils website, pretty much all councils have a section telling you what you need to do and how much it will cost.
Karl
Hi, id just like to find out how much is the fee when you sending your application? and is there a book to read on taxi driving and what is the name?
Hi, there are no books i know of as taxi driving varys greatly from county to county. The initial application is free, but you may need to pay for a test, dvla mandate, plates etc as you progress through the application process. Here is a link (copy and paste it to your browser) for all the fees you have to pay in Liverpool just as an example:
http://www.liverpool.gov.uk/Business/Business_and_street_trading_licences/Taxis/Hackney_carriages/index.asp
You should find more relevant price information on your own Local councils website.
Thanks for dropping by ;-)
hi ,,,,
i got conviction 2 years ago... and been in custudy 6 months ..but 2 years gone now so can i apply taxi badge or not ....
Hi Faraz, there is nothing stopping you. You will be scrutinised more than most. Just be up front about it when you apply, it may save you and them time. I know of a couple of people whit records who drive cabs. The only difference with their applications was they had to face an interview panel, this is to gauge your character and quiz you about your conviction etc. It wont be pleasant but it need not be a barrier. Good luck mate.
hi, thanks for taking time out and answering my question. my brother had a conviction of having weed on him for his own personal use in august and a couple of times before that. is this serious? will he be able to get a badge?thanxx
i dont think that will be a barrier, but it will require more cocking about than a normal application and being scrutinised by the council etc. In general, as long as the crimes are not the likes of drunk driving, sexual crimes or violent crimes they will normally approve you without much of a fuss.
Thanks for your comments.
hi thanks for replying to my question on the 26,jan i really appreciate it.someone said to me to apply for my brothers badge in bury as they are more lenient than Manchester.well i phoned them today for a general enquiry and told them about the conviction,the lady was being really awkward mannered.she said that if the conviction was in august that they wouldn't consider him at all, and that he had to wait three years from the conviction date to apply.i asked her for the bury taxi application pack to be posted.wot would you say about it as you will know quite allot about this.whats the easiest way to go about this would you recommend anywhere else to apply taking everything in to consideration.thanxxx
Hi
I am looking to apply for a taxi licence in norfolk but I've got a conviction for handling stolen goods and theft no prision just a fine.
It happened 23 years ago would this stop me from getting a licence ?
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