What Do Taxi Drivers and Chauffeurs Do (including Their Typical Day At Work)

Job Description

Taxi Drivers and Chauffeurs drive automobiles, vans, or limousines to transport passengers. May occasionally carry cargo. Includes hearse drivers. They also test vehicle equipment, such as lights, brakes, horns, or windshield wipers, to ensure proper operation.

Other tasks include:

• 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.
• Drive taxicabs, limousines, company cars, or privately owned vehicles to transport passengers.
• Provide passengers with assistance entering and exiting vehicles and help them with any luggage.
• Complete accident reports when necessary.
• Perform routine vehicle maintenance, such as regulating tire pressure and adding gasoline, oil, and water.

We asked Taxi Drivers and Chauffeurs how satisfied they are with their job. Here is what they said.

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70% of them said they were satisfied with their job and 55% said they find that their job makes the world a better place or helps to make someone else’s life better.

Typical Day At Work

On a daily basis, Taxi Drivers and Chauffeurs perform routine vehicle maintenance, such as regulating tire pressure and adding gasoline, oil, and water. They report to taxicab services or garages to receive vehicle assignments.

A typical day for a Taxi Driver and Chauffeur will also include:

• Test vehicle equipment, such as lights, brakes, horns, or windshield wipers, to ensure proper operation.
• Drive taxicabs, limousines, company cars, or privately owned vehicles to transport passengers.
• Record name, date, and taxi identification information on trip sheets, along with trip information, such as time and place of pickup and drop-off, and total fee.
• Vacuum and clean interiors and wash and polish exteriors of automobiles.
• Determine fares based on trip distances and times, using taximeters and fee schedules, and announce fares to passengers.

We asked some Taxi Drivers and Chauffeurs a few questions to find out what else does their work day look like. Here is what we found.

	Do you have telephone conversations everyday in this job?	38% said yes
	How important is it to work in a team in this job?	40% said very important
	Do you have group discussions everyday in this job?	66% said yes
	Do you talk or work with customers everyday in this job?	56% said yes
	Do you have to deal with angry customers everyday in this job?	19% said yes
	Do you have to make decisions everyday in this job?	33% said yes

Other responsibilities

Besides their typical day, Taxi Drivers and Chauffeurs also perform minor vehicle repairs, such as cleaning spark plugs, or take vehicles to mechanics for servicing. They may also notify dispatchers or company mechanics of vehicle problems.

On a weekly to monthly basis, Taxi Drivers and Chauffeurs Operate vehicles with specialized equipment, such as wheelchair lifts, to transport and secure passengers with special needs. They might also Arrange to pick up particular customers or groups on a regular schedule.

In addition, they Provide passengers with information about the local area and points of interest or give advice on hotels and restaurants.

Although specific duties may vary, many of them Perform errands for customers or employers, such as delivering or picking up mail and packages.

To some Taxi Drivers and Chauffeurs, it is also their responsibility to Collect fares or vouchers from passengers and make change or issue receipts as necessary.

Working life

Less than 40 hours per week

Irregular work schedule that changes depending on weather conditions, customer demand or contract duration.

In a typical work week as a Taxi Driver and Chauffeur, you can expect to work less than 40 hours per week.

Is this right for me

People who are suitable for this job tends to like work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They like working with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery..

They also like starting up and carrying out projects. They like leading people and making many decisions. Sometimes they require risk taking and often deal with business.

You can read more about these career personality types here.

Explore other careers

http://www.bls.gov/OOH/transportation-and-material-moving/taxi-drivers-and-chauffeurs.htm

http://www.tlpa.org/

http://www.limo.org/