Cabbie Career: Is a Taxi Cab Driver Job Right for You?

Have you ever thought about becoming a taxi driver? Driving a cab can be a demanding but rewarding job. While the work is often seen as gritty, thankless, and even dangerous (thanks in part to Robert DeNiro's 1976 role), it also commands an odd respect and affords the driver a certain independence from the traditional workplace. While many cabbies are lifers, others sometimes use the taxi driver job the pay their way through school. For example, I once befriended a New York cab driver who worked the overnight shift while studying criminal justice during the day in hopes of becoming a police officer. So before you rule out ferrying for fares, ask yourself: is a taxi cab driver job right for me?

Qualifications for Cab Drivers

City or county regulations and driver qualifications do vary widely, so be sure to check with taxicab companies in your area. You may also contact the appropriate government licensing office in your municipality. In general, common requirements include:

- driver's license in good standing, held for a period of time in the state (1 years, 2 years, etc.)
- solid driving record, with no recent reckless driving charges and few, if any, traffic violations
- no major criminal convictions (or at least nothing recent)
- no DUI convictions (or at least nothing recent)
- ability to speak English
- no sex offenses
- at least 21 years of age
- passing a class and/or exam (often includes safe driving, taxi regulations, map reading, and area knowledge)

Options for Taxi Drivers

Everyone understands how taxis operate: you pick up riders and they pay you a fare. But what are the logistics like? Do you own the cab? Do you rent it? Do you work for a company? Once again, regulations vary by city, but there are several possibilities for taxi driver jobs:

a. Owner-Operator. In this case, you purchase your own taxicab and maintain your own license (sometimes called a taxi medallion). Because you own the cab, you drive it on your own schedule and are free to sublet it to another licensed cab driver for an additional shift, provided you think the extra cut is worth the wear and tear on the cab itself. Of course, you are ultimate responsible for maintenance, upkeep, and all the associated headaches.

b. Independent Subletter. You lease a cab, either on a short-term or long-term basis, from an owner-operator. While you will make less money (because you have to pay for the use of the car), you also don't have the extra responsibility of maintaining the vehicle and don't have to put up a large amount of money to get started.

c. Taxi Fleet (Shift Renter). Rather than running your own independent cab operation, you rent/lease a taxicab from the company's fleet for just your shift. This means that you may not always get the same cab from the garage, and the company will deduct a portion of your proceeds to cover the rent/lease rate for your shift.. On one hand, this is a less stable option because your hours could get cut with little notice. However, you have the advantage of working for a company instead of subletting from an individual owner-operator.

d. Taxi Fleet (Long Term Renter). The difference between shift renting and long term renting with a taxi fleet is that you have a more secure timeframe. Some companies also offer cab-leasing with the option to buy after a period of time.

Remember that each city has specific ordinances governing taxicab operation, so not all of these options will necessarily be available.

Taxi Treats: Advantages of Becoming a Cab Driver

- Work is often available at all times of day.
- You have the opportunity to interact with people of various backgrounds....tourists, business travelers, locals, etc.
- You can showcase your knowledge of the city.
- You can avoid traditional work environments.
- Pay does improve with performance, at least to some extent. If you're a superior driver, you can make standout tips.
- Rude riders don't last forever. After every bad experience, you get to start over again.
- Job stability! There was always be a need for taxi cab drivers in major cities.

Cab Caveats: Potential Drawbacks to Taxi Driver Jobs

- The work can become repetitive over time.
- Prestige and respect are often low.
- You can't always control pay. Much like a restaurant server, you're at the mercy of the enterprise on any given day.
- Safety is sometimes a concern. Most cities have ordinances requiring cab drivers to accept fares, even if they think the potential rider looks suspicious or the pickup/destination point is in a rough, crime-ridden area.
- The public often has limiting stereotypes about drivers: that they're male, newly immigrated, reckless, or just plain grubby. As a side note, my cabbie pal in NYC said that his cleanliness, education, and friendly demeanor have earned him larger tips because he defies the conventional stereotypes of a taxi driver. So, depending on your situation, the stereotypes can work for or against you.

If can picture yourself behind the wheel of a yellow cab, ferrying passengers around the city you know so well, it's certainly worth investigating a career as a cabbie.