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How to hire a taxi driver

Taxi driver hiring summary. Here are some key points about hiring taxi drivers in the United States:

  • There are a total of 48,444 taxi drivers in the US, and there are currently 353,870 job openings in this field.
  • The median cost to hire a taxi driver is $1,633.
  • Small businesses spend $1,105 per taxi driver on training each year, while large companies spend $658.
  • It takes between 36 and 42 days to fill the average role in the US.
  • It takes approximately 12 weeks for a new employee to reach full productivity levels.
  • HR departments typically allocate 15% of their budget towards recruitment efforts.
  • Birmingham, AL, has the highest demand for taxi drivers, with 28 job openings.

How to hire a taxi driver, step by step

To hire a taxi driver, you should clearly understand the skills and experience you are looking for in a candidate, and allocate a budget for the position. You will also need to post and promote the job opening to reach potential candidates. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to hire a taxi driver:

Here's a step-by-step taxi driver hiring guide:

  • Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
  • Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
  • Step 3: Make a budget
  • Step 4: Write a taxi driver job description
  • Step 5: Post your job
  • Step 6: Interview candidates
  • Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new taxi driver
  • Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist
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  1. Identify your hiring needs

    Before you start hiring a taxi driver, identify what type of worker you actually need. Certain positions might call for a full-time employee, while others can be done by a part-time worker or contractor.

    Determine employee vs contractor status
    Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

    You should also consider the ideal background you'd like them a taxi driver to have before you start to hire. For example, what industry or field would you like them to have experience in, what level of seniority or education does the job require, and how much it'll cost to hire a taxi driver that fits the bill.

    The following list breaks down different types of taxi drivers and their corresponding salaries.

    Type of Taxi DriverDescriptionHourly rate
    Taxi DriverTaxi drivers and chauffeurs drive people to and from the places they need to go, such as airports, homes, shopping centers, and workplaces. They must know their way around a city to take passengers to their destinations.$10-29
    ChauffeurChauffeurs drive limousines, motor coaches, and other luxury vehicles to take their clients to their destinations. Their list of responsibilities includes making sure that the vehicle they are driving stays in excellent condition, helping clients load and unload their stuff, and following the road rules and regulations... Show more$10-36
    TransporterA transporter is responsible for sending patients to assigned healthcare facilities, ensuring their safety while on the road. Transporters assist with lifting or placing patients to beds and wheelchairs, strictly adhering to transport schedules and report possible delays immediately, delivering healthcare supplies and laboratory specimen securely, and responding to the patient's inquiries and requests... Show more$10-18
  2. Create an ideal candidate profile

    Common skills:
    • Customer Service
    • Relevant Safety Regulations
    • Transport Passengers
    • Pickup
    • GPS
    • Vehicle Operation
    • Walkers
    • Tire Pressure
    • Windshield Wipers
    • Trip Sheets
    • Taxi Service
    • State Laws
    • Fee Schedules
    • Vehicle Equipment
    Check all skills
    Responsibilities:
    • Manage routes through use of android app technology.
    • Provide transportation services, pick up customers, drop off, find address, use GPS.
    • Utilize tablet and GPS unit to track passengers' pick up and drop-off locations.
    • Monitor and maintain cleanliness, sanitation and organization of assign work areas.
    • Transport passengers by driving taxicabs.
  3. Make a budget

    Including a salary range in your taxi driver job description is one of the best ways to attract top talent. A taxi driver can vary based on:

    • Location. For example, taxi drivers' average salary in florida is 54% less than in connecticut.
    • Seniority. Entry-level taxi drivers 65% less than senior-level taxi drivers.
    • Certifications. A taxi driver with certifications usually earns a higher salary.
    • Company. Working for an established firm or a new start-up company can make a big difference in a taxi driver's salary.

    Average taxi driver salary

    $37,672yearly

    $18.11 hourly rate

    Entry-level taxi driver salary
    $22,000 yearly salary
    Updated January 19, 2026
  4. Writing a taxi driver job description

    A good taxi driver job description should include a few things:

    • Summary of the role
    • List of responsibilities
    • Required skills and experience

    Including a salary range and the first name of the hiring manager is also appreciated by candidates. Here's an example of a taxi driver job description:

    Taxi driver job description example

    • Signup in Seconds : Get started today, and we’ll provide support along the way.
    • Get Paid Fast : Cash out up to 5X a day with Instant Pay.
    • Flexible Schedule : You control when and where you drive.
    • 24/7 Support : The app gives you turn-by-turn directions and access to 24/7 support if you need help.

    What you need to get started?

    • 21 years old or older
    • A 4-door vehicle
    • A valid U.S. driver’s license and vehicle insurance
    • At least one year of driving experience in the U.S. (3 years if you’re under 23 years old)

    Additional Information

    • If you have previous employment experience in transportation (such as a delivery driver, driver, professional driver, driving job, truck driver, heavy and tractor-trailer driver, CDL truck driver, class a or class b driver, local truck driver, company truck driver, taxi driver, taxi chauffeur, cab driver, cab chauffeur, taxi cab driver, transit bus driver, bus driver, coach bus driver, bus operator, shuttle driver, bus chauffeur) you might also consider driving with our client and earn extra money.
    • We also welcome drivers who have worked with any other peer-to-peer ridesharing or driving networks.
    • Drivers come from all backgrounds and industries ranging from traditional driving and transportation industries to other industries.
    • Driving is a great way to supplement your part-time or full-time income.

    Ready to get started? Sign up today and start earning!

  5. Post your job

    There are various strategies that you can use to find the right taxi driver for your business:

    • Consider promoting from within or recruiting from your existing workforce.
    • Ask for referrals from friends, family members, and current employees.
    • Attend job fairs at local colleges to find candidates who meet your education requirements.
    • Use social media platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter to reach potential job candidates.
    Post your job online:
    • Post your taxi driver job on Zippia to find and recruit taxi driver candidates who meet your exact specifications.
    • Use field-specific websites.
    • Post a job on free websites.
  6. Interview candidates

    To successfully recruit taxi drivers, your first interview needs to engage with candidates to learn about their interest in the role and experience in the field. You can go into more detail about the company, the role, and the responsibilities during follow-up interviews.

    It's also good to ask about candidates' unique skills and talents to see if they match your ideal candidate profile. If you think a candidate is good enough for the next step, you can move on to the technical interview.

    The right interview questions can help you assess a candidate's hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.

  7. Send a job offer and onboard your new taxi driver

    Once you have selected a candidate for the taxi driver position, it is time to create an offer letter. In addition to salary, the offer letter should include details about benefits and perks that are available to the employee. Ensuring your offer is competitive is vital, as qualified candidates may be considering other job opportunities. The candidate may wish to negotiate the terms of the offer, and it is important to be open to discussion and reach a mutually beneficial agreement. After the offer has been accepted, it is a good idea to formalize the agreement with a contract.

    It's also important to follow up with applicants who do not get the job with an email letting them know that the position is filled.

    To prepare for the new employee's start date, you can create an onboarding schedule and complete any necessary paperwork, such as employee action forms and onboarding documents like I-9 forms, benefits enrollment, and federal and state tax forms. Human Resources should also ensure that a new employee file is created.

  8. Go through the hiring process checklist

    • Determine employee type (full-time, part-time, contractor, etc.)
    • Submit a job requisition form to the HR department
    • Define job responsibilities and requirements
    • Establish budget and timeline
    • Determine hiring decision makers for the role
    • Write job description
    • Post job on job boards, company website, etc.
    • Promote the job internally
    • Process applications through applicant tracking system
    • Review resumes and cover letters
    • Shortlist candidates for screening
    • Hold phone/virtual interview screening with first round of candidates
    • Conduct in-person interviews with top candidates from first round
    • Score candidates based on weighted criteria (e.g., experience, education, background, cultural fit, skill set, etc.)
    • Conduct background checks on top candidates
    • Check references of top candidates
    • Consult with HR and hiring decision makers on job offer specifics
    • Extend offer to top candidate(s)
    • Receive formal job offer acceptance and signed employment contract
    • Inform other candidates that the position has been filled
    • Set and communicate onboarding schedule to new hire(s)
    • Complete new hire paperwork (i9, benefits enrollment, tax forms, etc.)
    Sign up to download full list

How much does it cost to hire a taxi driver?

Hiring a taxi driver comes with both the one-time cost per hire and ongoing costs. The cost of recruiting taxi drivers involves promoting the job and spending time conducting interviews. Ongoing costs include employee salary, training, benefits, insurance, and equipment. It is essential to consider the cost of taxi driver recruiting as well the ongoing costs of maintaining the new employee.

You can expect to pay around $37,672 per year for a taxi driver, as this is the median yearly salary nationally. This can vary depending on what state or city you're hiring in. If you're hiring for contract work or on a per-project basis, hourly rates for taxi drivers in the US typically range between $10 and $29 an hour.

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