The Work

Taxi drivers carry passengers to a required destination in return for a fixed charge. They can make both local and long distance journeys and need to have a thorough knowledge of regional and local routes.

Taxi drivers usually help passengers to get luggage in and out of the vehicle. They deal with both online and cash transactions, and may have to balance books at the end of the shift/day. Tourists often use taxis to get around and they appreciate friendly advice and tips on how to get around and what to see.

For the safety of both taxi drivers and their customers, there are a number of regulations that the taxi driver must follow, relating to licences, passenger numbers, fares and the condition of the car.

Taxi drivers are responsible for keeping their vehicles roadworthy, which may involve making minor repairs from time to time and there are also significant running costs involved in driving a taxi, such as petrol/diesel and regular servicing.

Technology has changed how taxi drivers work during the past decade. These days, most taxi drivers are self-employed and get their work through a taxi ‘e-hailing’ app which directly connects passengers and drivers. Customers typically pay the fair via the app, and the e-hailing company get a commission.

However, there is still some traditional taxi companies around, particularly in rural towns, employing taxi drivers and send them details of jobs from a head office. Taxi drivers can also make pick-ups from taxi ranks or can collect fares off the side of the road. Some private hire vehicles may only carry out pre-booked work.

This is not a 9-5 type of job and work can involve full time, part time, nights, weekends etc.

Working as a taxi driver requires both a specific driver’s licence and a licence for the vehicle to be used. See details under ‘Entry’

Most commonly reported Work Tasks

• Collect fares or vouchers from passengers and make change or issue receipts as necessary.
• Communicate with dispatchers by radio, telephone, or computer to exchange information and receive requests for passenger service.
• Complete accident reports when necessary.
• Determine fares based on trip distances and times, using taximeters and fee schedules, and announce fares to passengers.
• Drive taxicabs or privately owned vehicles to transport passengers.
• Follow relevant safety regulations and state laws governing vehicle operation and ensure that passengers follow safety regulations.
• Notify dispatchers or company mechanics of vehicle problems.
• Perform minor vehicle repairs, such as cleaning spark plugs, or take vehicles to mechanics for servicing.
• Perform routine vehicle maintenance, such as regulating tire pressure and adding gasoline, oil, and water.
• Pick up passengers at prearranged locations, at taxi stands, or by cruising streets in high traffic areas.

Further Information

• Taxi Driver - from: N.C.S. [UK]

This occupation is typically suited for people with the following Career Interests:

Realist

Realists are usually interested in 'things' - such as buildings, mechanics, equipment, tools, electronics etc. Their primary focus is dealing with these - as in building, fixing, operating or designing them. Involvement in these areas leads to high manual skills, or a fine aptitude for practical design - as found in the various forms of engineering.

Realists like to find practical solutions to problems using tools, technology and skilled work. Realists usually prefer to be active in their work environment, often do most of their work alone, and enjoy taking decisive action with a minimum amount of discussion and paperwork.

Enterprising

Enterprising people like situations that involve using resources for personal or corporate economic gain. Such people may have an opportunistic frame of mind, and are drawn to commerce, trade and making deals. Some pursue sales and marketing occupations. Many will eventually end up owning their own business, or in management roles in larger organisations. They tend to be very goal-oriented and work best when focused on a target. Some have an entrepreneurial inclination.

There are strict rules about who can be a taxi driver and what vehicles that can be used. The relevant licences are issued by National Transport Authority to applicants who meet certain criteria and whose vehicles meet the required legal standards.

You need a Small Public Service Vehicle (SPSV) driver licence. This licence allows you to operate all categories of SPSV – taxi, hackney, and limousine. An Garda Síochána is responsible for vetting applicants for suitability, and the National Transport Authority is responsible for the testing.

You also need a SPSV vehicle licence, which you can apply for from the NTA. They have very detailed criteria for cars and other vehicles and you must pay an application fee and a suitability inspection fee.

Note that the NTA is currently only accepting new vehicle licence applications for wheelchair accessible taxis, wheelchair accessible hackneys, local area hackneys and limousines. See more and up-to-date details here and you can call the NTA Industry Information Line.

Some e-hailing companies also have guides and manuals to help aspiring taxi drivers through the licencing processes.

It is likely that you will be required to undergo Garda Vetting. Garda Vetting forms are submitted through the employer and cannot be completed by the applicant prior to employment. You can read more about Garda Vetting here.

Training & Development

Local Enterprise office: If you want to progress in your career, you could consider setting up your own business (if you haven’t already) or you may want to branch out to work as a chauffeur, for either a business or a private household.

Last Updated: November, 2023

Salary Range (thousands per year)* €26k - €50k

Taxi drivers are generally self-employed and income is determined by how many hours they work.

Data Source(s):
Payscale/ Indeed/ Payscale

Last Updated: March, 2024

* The lower figures typically reflect starting salaries. Higher salaries are awarded to those with greater experience and responsibility. Positions in Dublin sometimes command higher salaries.

View Salary information from Indeed.ie
Note: data not aways available

This information has been derived from the Solas National Skills Bulletin (2023).

Employment growth was negative for this occupation, with little change in employment levels since 2020. Most are employed as taxi drivers and bus and coach drivers; although employment levels remained unchanged for taxi drivers between quarter 4 2021 and quarter 4 2022, there was a fall in the number of persons employed as bus and coach drivers. At 43%, the share aged 55 years and older far exceeded the national average and may lead to an increase in replacement demand across the roles in the coming years. Issues with recruiting taxi drivers that occurred with the reopening of the economy post-COVID-19 appears to have eased somewhat; the data does not point to any evidence of shortages.

In a statement to the Joint Oireachtas committee on Transport and Communications, the National Transport Authority noted issues with retaining and recruiting bus drivers in a time of full employment. There have been advertising campaigns (e.g. Dublin Bus, Bus Eireann) to recruit new bus drivers. As a result of issues with recruitment, a quota for 1,500 new permits for bus and coach drivers was added in December 2022 which has yet to be reflected in the data. The Skills for Growth data also indicates issues with filling vacancies for bus drivers (including for those with good communication skills). Despite the negative employment growth for this occupation overall, skills shortages have emerged for bus and coach drivers.

• Irelands Taxi Industry

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• Carriage Office

  • Dublin Castle, Dublin 2
  • (01) 666 4115
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• National Transport Authority

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