How to become a Taxi Driver

The taxi industry plays an important role in the Australian economy, filling an essential need for transportation services, especially in rural and remote areas. If you’re looking to start a business as a taxi driver, or if you’re interested in learning more about what it takes to become one, this article is for you. Read on to learn all that you need to know about how to become a taxi driver in Australia.

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‍Step 1: Get licenced

The first step to becoming a taxi driver is getting your Commercial Passenger Vehicle (CPV) licence from the relevant state authority. This licence requires applicants to provide evidence of identity and meet certain medical criteria. You will also need to complete specific training courses, such as fatigue management and basic first aid, for your CPV application to be accepted. Once you have been issued with your CPV licence, you can then apply for accreditation with the local government or private taxi service provider.

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‍Step 2: Learn the roads

In addition to having the right qualifications and licences, there are also other things that you can do while preparing for your career as a taxi driver. For example, brushing up on local knowledge can help immensely when providing customers with directions or recommendations during their ride. It can also be beneficial for drivers to familiarise themselves with their vehicle’s features so that they know how everything works and can answer any questions passengers may have about the car during their journey. Furthermore, having some basic customer service skills can go a long way in this line of work; after all, being friendly and courteous is essential when dealing with passengers on a regular basis.

Step 3: Get on the job training

Once you have received your CPV licence and been accredited by your chosen company/government body, you must complete mandatory training before beginning work – this includes learning safety procedures as well as understanding fare structures, legal requirements and dispute resolution strategies. After completing training, many drivers will receive instructive onboarding sessions which involve accompanying experienced drivers on various trips until they feel comfortable enough going out solo.

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‍Step 4: Arrange your final checks

In order to obtain a taxi driver authority, you will need to pass a criminal history check and a medical examination. You will also need to provide evidence of your completion of the Certificate II in Transport and Logistics (Taxi Operations). Once you have obtained your taxi driver authority, you will need to register your vehicle with the relevant state or territory government. You will also need to obtain third party property damage insurance for your vehicle.

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‍Step 5: Start driving

If your vehicle passes the final inspection, you are now ready to start operating as a taxi driver in Australia. Upon completion of all your checks, you will be issued with a taxi license plate which must always be displayed on your vehicle when operating as a taxi. Make sure you are familiar with the fares and charges that apply in your state or territory, and always drive safely.

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Step 6: Claim tax deductions

As a taxi driver, you are able to claim deductions for the costs of operating your vehicle for business purposes, such as fuel, oil, repairs, maintenance, and insurance. To track all your expenses and eligible claims, you can sign up for Thriday. Thriday helps you claim all your eligible deductions automatically which can reduce your tax bill and save you a tonne of time. See if your business needs a bookkeeper or accountant, or whether you can just use Thriday, with this quick quiz.

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Step 7: Lodge your taxes

Thriday is a cutting-edge financial management platform that enables taxi drivers to comply with their tax obligations by automating the process of tax filing. The platform harnesses advanced technologies such as machine learning and artificial intelligence to simplify the tax compliance process for taxi drivers. By automatically sorting income and expenses on the Thriday Visa Debit card, monitoring GST, and producing reports to streamline tax calculations, Thriday can automate tax returns filing. Thriday's automated tax compliance features make it simple for drivers to comply with their tax obligations. By automating the tax process, drivers can devote more time to their work, knowing that Thriday is taking care of their tax responsibilities.

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Being a taxi driver is an incredibly rewarding profession that offers flexible hours and great pay, but it’s important not to underestimate how much effort needs to be put into getting started. To ensure success as a driver, it’s essential that you understand all the steps required when applying for a taxi licence. With the right preparation and attitude towards customer service, anyone looking at entering this field should have no trouble becoming a successful taxi driver in Australia.