Taxi Driver

Tasks & duties

Taxi drivers may do some or all of the following:

• wait at taxi stands or terminals
• collect passengers
• drive passengers to where they want to go
• make sure passengers wear their seat belts
• ensure passenger safety
• provide child safety seats to passengers with small children
• pick up and deliver packages
• collect fares and give change
• deal with taxi chits (vouchers)
• keep records of rides and fares
• keep the vehicle clean and tidy
• be responsible for maintaining the vehicle if they own it
• conform to local authority by-laws on taxi stands

Skills & knowledge

Taxi drivers need to have:

• excellent driving skills
• knowledge of the Road Code, defensive-driving techniques and relevant transport regulations
• good knowledge of local places, street names and the correct routes to take
• knowledge of events happening in the area they work in
• good communication skills
• an understanding of basic car maintenance, so they can care for their vehicle
• maths skills for calculating fares and change for customers

Owner-drivers need to have good business sense, and accounting and mechanical skills help cut down expenses.

Entry requirements

To become a taxi driver you need to have held a Class 1 licence for at least two years and have a passenger (P) endorsement, which includes police clearance. You also need to pass a medical test, a taxi knowledge test and a full licence driving test.

An Area Knowledge Certificate must also be gained before working for a taxi company.

Further information on driver licensing is available from Land Transport New Zealand, which also provides a list of approved course providers for occupational drivers.

Land Transport NZ website - list of approved course providers for occupational drivers

Tertiary education

You may choose to become qualified by completing various courses set up by Tranzqual, which will lead to a National Certificate in Commercial Road Transport.

Tranzqual website - information on the National Certificate in Commercial Road Transport

Training on the job

Many skills can be gained on the job, such as learning how fares are charged and how to operate taxi equipment.

Useful experience

Experience as a retail assistant, hospitality worker, truck driver, driving instructor or any other work involving driving is useful.

For more information, please refer to Career Services.