It turns out that this is a profession requiring a significant personal investment as well as a great deal of work. How much does working as a taxi driver cost, and is it profitable to provide such services?
How to become a taxi driver?
Before we begin providing transport services, we must meet several requirements. Above all, taxi drivers must not have a criminal record and must be in good physical and mental health. If we meet these requirements, the second qualification stage begins, involving the establishment of our own business. Every taxi driver is at least 21 years old, holds a category B driving licence, and has completed road transport training or has experience working as a driver.
Training and licence
Anyone who wants to become a taxi driver must demonstrate knowledge of the city’s layout and understand the legal aspects of working as a taxi driver. During the training, participants learn the rules governing roads and taxis. The training also includes extensive information on legal matters. Anyone who decides to provide services such as passenger transport should know the relevant act and legal regulations. The training ends with an examination, but this is still not the end of the journey.
The next step bringing us closer to becoming a carrier is obtaining a taxi driver’s licence. A licence can be obtained only by someone who has completed all the other steps and meets the previously mentioned requirements. The document is issued for a specific vehicle and operating area. This may be a municipality, neighbouring municipalities, or a city. If we want to drive a taxi only within a municipality, the licence may be issued—or its issuance refused—by the commune head, mayor, or city president. In neighbouring municipalities, such a document may be issued by the city office or county office. The same authorities may also amend or revoke a licence for taxi services.
What does the licence provide?
The licence allows each taxi driver to practise their profession within the area specified in the licence. It is possible to transport a customer outside that area if the customer orders a taxi within the driver’s operating area and the destination lies outside it.
The licence is the final step before being able to work as a taxi driver. Once we receive the licence, we become fully licensed taxi drivers. All we need is a properly equipped car, and we can set off into the city in our new taxi. In Warsaw, demand for taxi services is growing. More and more companies are signing agreements with taxi corporations because this is cheaper and more convenient. Increasingly, individuals are also using taxis. Unfortunately, the taxi driver profession has one major drawback—it is time-consuming. Unfortunately, in this profession, working for eight hours and then returning home is not enough; sometimes people work as many as 16 hours.