Taxi driver problems and how to deal with them
Problems taxi drivers face on a daily basis include dealing with difficult customers, financial stress, mental health issues, and working late at night. This applies to everyone in the taxi industry, including casual, part-time and full-time drivers in the private or public hire sectors.
A few solutions to these nuisances include investing in CCTV surveillance, using contactless card machines, and seeking mental health help from professionals.
Whether you’re just starting out as a taxi driver or have been in the game for some time, the job has a couple of downsides you must be aware of.
In this guide, SimplyQuote explores seven common taxi operator problems and how you can combat them.
Problem #1: Dealing with difficult passengers
Passengers are the lifeline of any taxi business and interacting with difficult customers can make or break a taxi driver’s day. Some passengers are a treat to transport, but others can be abusive, disrespectful, and downright rude.
This is particularly common when fetching customers after a night out where alcohol is consumed. This often makes drivers feel unsafe and can lead to mental health problems if they aren’t careful.
Solution
While taxi drivers cannot control their passengers’ reactions, there are a few measures to take to ensure your safety:
- Consider lockable windows.
- Consider deadlocks or modify car handles that only you (the taxi driver) can open.
- Install plastic partitions.
- Install CCTV cameras or dash cams with audio recording features.
- Try not to take the abusive words to heart.
It’s best to remain calm and non-confrontational and call for help in dangerous situations.
Bonus read: Why Private Hire Drivers Need A Dash Cam
Looking for cheap taxi insurance? Get your quote today!
Get QuotesProblem #2: Customers not paying
Non-payment, or “bilking”, is an age-old problem for taxi drivers. It goes without saying that not receiving payments has a disastrous effect on your business operations and profit margins. Passengers who neglect to pay taxi fares are actually committing theft, which is a serious offence that must be reported to the police.
Solution
While the natural thing to do may seem like keeping passengers locked inside the vehicle until they cough up the cash, this will cause more harm than good. In these scenarios, it’s best to let the passenger exit your vehicle and call it a day.
However, to avoid this from happening again, you can:
- Insist on upfront payments before starting the trip.
- Have contactless card machines on hand for quick tap-and-go payments.
- Have customers pay for their rides via your booking app.
Bonus read: Best Apps For Taxi Drivers
Problem #3: Exposure to potential robberies
One of the biggest concerns of taxi driving is the potential for armed robberies. Opportunists often prey on taxi drivers under the misconception that taxi operators have valuable devices and wads of cash on hand. However, most taxi drivers nowadays accept payments via booking apps or card machines, so this illusion is a bit skewed.
Solution
Taxi operators can refuse trips if they feel unsafe but you must have a valid reason. You should never chase after people who have/have tried to assault you as this can make you even more vulnerable. A few solutions include:
- Always trust your instincts.
- Avoid pickups/drop-offs in dodgy parts of the city or dead ends.
- Implement emergency procedures (e.g. have the police on speed dial).
- Invest in cashless payment devices to avoid having large sums of money in your vehicle.
- Remain calm and report the incident to the local authorities.
Problem #4: Potential health issues
It goes without saying that taxi drivers aren’t very active. Living a sedentary lifestyle can lead to severe health issues, such as:
- Obesity
- Diabetes
- Strokes
- Heart attacks
- Deep vein thrombosis (DVT)
Furthermore, long hours can lead to driver fatigue, burnout, and excessive stress, increasing the likelihood of car accidents or other road-related mishaps caused by exhaustion.
Solution
While being a good taxi driver and earning a living is important, taking care of your health and well-being is just as crucial. Here are a few suggestions:
- Ensure you get 7-8 hours of sleep before your shift begins.
- Take regular breaks in between pick-ups.
- Eat a healthy diet to ensure you have enough energy for the day.
- Do regular exercise when off duty to keep muscles strong and supple.
- Seek professional mental health services if you’re experiencing stress, anxiety, or burnout.
- Do not drive your vehicle if you’re not in the right frame of mind.
Problem #5: Dealing with traffic
Navigating traffic and busy roads is part of the job, regardless of whether you drive taxis or private hire vehicles. Taxi drivers spend most of their waking hours behind the wheel, exposing them to bumper-to-bumper traffic, rush hour, and other nerve-wracking scenarios. This is very stressful and requires serious concentration.
Solution
Here are a few tips to manage busy roads:
- Plan your journey ahead of time to find the best route.
- Use GPS navigation devices or apps like Google Maps or Waze to find the quickest route.
- Opt for detours or alternate routes to bypass heavily congested areas.
- Stay alert and keep your eyes on the road.
- Keep small talk with passengers to a minimum to prevent distractions.
Problem #6: Working late nights
It’s normal for taxi and private hire drivers to work irregular hours such as early mornings or late nights. However, late-night driving increases the risk of car accidents and other hair-raising situations.
For instance, female drivers might feel unsafe transporting male passengers after dark and road visibility is poor in the darker hours.
Solution
While we understand late nights might be your niche taxi driver market, consider restructuring your working hours to ensure your safety.
Bonus read: UK Taxi Driver Shifts Explained
Problem #7: Financial worries
Being a self-employed taxi and private hire driver means you work for yourself and all financial responsibilities fall on your shoulders. Ensuring you generate enough income to cover business expenses (and pay yourself a salary) can be incredibly stressful when starting your own private hire taxi business and trying to make ends meet.
Solution
Here are a few cash-savvy tips:
- Scrutinise your taxi insurance policy and only pay for what you need.
- Track business expenses to see where you can save on costs.
- Claim taxi driver expenses to bring down your annual tax bill.
- Reduce your mileage to prevent premature wear and tear/vehicle maintenance costs.
- Keep up to date with taxi licences and DBS checks to avoid hefty fines and penalties.
Bonus reads:
Final thoughts
As you can see, being a cabbie isn’t all glitz and glam and many things can make the job less than ideal. From managing difficult passengers and working long hours to potential health risks and exposure to armed robberies, these are the realities of the career.
But, investing in CCTV cameras, relooking at your working hours, and trusting your instincts can make this a fun and worthwhile profession.
Comparing taxi insurance quotes from multiple insurers can also save you loads of cash on your monthly/annual premiums, allowing you to manage your money and business like a pro! Use SimplyQuote’s free online comparison tool today.
Frequently Asked Questions
A few common pitfalls of being a cabbie include the risk of mental health issues, working long hours, dealing with difficult passengers, and navigating heavily congested roads.
Most taxi drivers avoid seeking help for mental health issues as they fear losing their licence. Any GP or NHS professional visit shows on your medical record and any treatment prescribed might need to be declared to your local licensing authority as per the DVLA’s Group 2 medical guidelines.
Yes, the taxi industry is a worthwhile profession as you can potentially earn between £20,000 and £30,000 annually. You might be interested in: Is It Worth Being A Taxi Driver In The UK?