Taxi Driver

Your Fit

Income

$36K

Preparation

Some

Growth

20.6%

Definition
Your fit with this career
How much they earn
What they do
Job satisfaction
How to become

What is a Taxi Driver?

A Taxi Driver is responsible for transporting passengers to their desired destinations using a taxi vehicle. This role involves navigating city streets, communicating with passengers, and handling financial transactions.

Sample job titles:

Cab Driver, Taxi Cab Driver, Taxi Driver

Your test results

Why this fit score?

The fit report shows your areas of fit and misfit with Taxi Driver.

Fit report

Test scores

The scores report summarizes what we learned about you. It shows your results on everything measured in the career test.

Scores report

How much does a Taxi Driver earn

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, typical income (in USD) in 2024 was...

Bottom 10%	Bottom 25%	Median (average)	Top 25%	Top 10%
$27K per year	$31K per year	$36K per year	$41K per year	$62K per year

Compared to other careers: Median is $13K below the national average.

See income by country/state/province

What does a Taxi Driver do?

Work environment

Taxi Drivers typically work in urban areas, operating their vehicles in diverse traffic and weather conditions. The job may involve variable hours, including nights and weekends, and can be both independent and customer-service oriented.

Quick task list

Picks up passengers and transports them to their destinations.
Navigates routes using knowledge of local streets and traffic patterns.
Maintains the vehicle's cleanliness and mechanical soundness.
Collects fares and makes change for passengers.
Keeps records of miles traveled and fares received.

See full list of tasks with expert relevance ratings

Areas of specialization

Airport Taxi Services: Specializing in transporting passengers to and from airports.
Executive Taxi Services: Providing high-end services for corporate or executive clients.
Tourist Services: Catering to tourists and providing guided tours around the city.
Medical Transport Services: Transporting patients to medical appointments, often requiring additional knowledge of healthcare facilities.
Ride-Hailing Services: Operating through app-based platforms like Uber or Lyft.

Description

Taxi driving is a dynamic occupation that requires excellent driving skills, a good understanding of the area's geography, and strong customer service abilities. Taxi Drivers must be adept at navigating their way through busy city streets, often in challenging traffic conditions, and have the ability to quickly determine the best routes to reach destinations efficiently. They must keep their vehicles clean and well-maintained, ensuring a comfortable and safe experience for passengers.

Interpersonal skills are crucial in this role, as Taxi Drivers interact with a diverse range of people daily. They need to communicate effectively, handle transactions, and sometimes deal with difficult or demanding passengers. Flexibility and patience are key, as work hours can be long and often include peak traffic times, late nights, or early mornings.

For many drivers, this career offers independence and flexibility not found in typical 9-to-5 jobs. Taxi Drivers have some autonomy over their schedules and routes, which can be particularly appealing. Additionally, meeting new people and the potential for earning tips can make the job rewarding.

Job Satisfaction

Sources of satisfaction

Flexibility and independence in work schedules.
Meeting and interacting with a diverse range of people.
The satisfaction of providing a valuable service to the community.

You might make a good Taxi Driver if you are...

Skilled at driving and navigation.
Good with people and able to provide excellent customer service.
Comfortable with working independently.
Flexible and adaptable to varying work hours.
Knowledgeable about your city's layout and attractions.

Pros:

Flexibility in work hours and the ability to be your own boss.
Opportunity to meet a wide variety of people.
Potential for good income through fares and tips.

Cons:

Potentially long and irregular hours.
Stressful driving conditions and dealing with traffic.
Risk of dealing with unruly or non-paying passengers.

How to become a Taxi Driver

Typical education

There is no formal educational requirement beyond a high school diploma or equivalent. However, drivers need a valid driver's license, and in many areas, a special taxi driver's license or permit is required. Knowledge of local streets and traffic laws is crucial.

High school preparation

Courses:

Geography for learning about city layouts and navigation.
Mathematics for handling fares and making change.
Automotive classes for basic vehicle maintenance and repair.
Business classes to learn about managing finances and independent work.

Extra-Curricular Activities:

Joining driving clubs or groups.
Volunteering for roles that involve navigation or transportation.
Part-time jobs or internships in customer service industries.

Preparation after high school

Obtaining a valid driver's license and any necessary taxi driving permits or licenses.
Learning local geography and routes.
Customer service training for handling a wide range of passengers.
Basic vehicle maintenance courses.

More resources

National Taxi Association - Provides resources and support for taxi drivers.
International Association of Transportation Regulators - Offers information on regulations and best practices in transportation.
Uber Driver Resources - Useful for drivers considering ride-hailing services as an option.
Lyft Driver Resources - Another resource for drivers interested in app-based ride services.

Similar careers

Similarity is based on what people in the careers do, what they know, and what they are called. The process of establishing similarity lists is described in this white paper.