How to become a Car Driver
Car drivers transport passengers to their destinations.
Personal requirements for a Car Driver
- High-level driving skills
- Able to meet age restrictions
- Able to work long or irregular hours
- Good communication skills
- Able to remain calm in difficult situations
- Neat personal appearance
Education & Training for a Car Driver
You can work as a car driver without formal qualifications, but you will need to obtain a specific licence. To become a taxi driver, you will need to complete an approved training course. Depending on your state or territory, you may also need to pass a written examination. Contact the transport department in your state or territory for more information.
Additional information
To apply for accreditation, you must meet the requirements in your state or territory. This may include a National Police Certificate, a medical assessment and an English language competency test. To become eligible to drive a wheelchair accessible taxi, drivers may need to undertake further training in the use of special equipment and the particular needs of people in wheelchairs.
Duties & Tasks of a Car Driver
Car drivers:
- Pick up passengers at designated locations or when hailed and transport them to their desired destinations
- Use mobile computer systems and radio networks to access waiting passenger information
- Check passenger destinations and determine the most appropriate route
- Receive money or credit payments for fares and give required change
- Assist passengers with the handling of luggage
- Keep accurate records of driver shifts, income and expenses
- Arrange regular repairs, general maintenance and cleaning of vehicles.
Tasks
- Picking up passengers at designated locations or when hailed
- Checking passenger destinations and determining most appropriate route
- Transporting passengers to desired destinations
- May collect and deliver parcels
- Using mobile computer systems and radio networks to log into waiting passenger information
- Assisting passengers with luggage
- Collecting fares and processing fare payments
Employment Opportunities for a Car Driver
Taxi drivers work for taxi companies or for themselves. Most taxi owners drive their own taxis and have drivers who work the other available shifts. Taxi drivers usually pay the taxi owner a rental, which can be a flat rate or a percentage of the fares received. Taxi drivers must have an Australian Business Number (ABN) and be registered for GST. As a taxi driver you can select your own hours or work part time to suit your lifestyle. However, the demand for taxi services varies at different times of the day and throughout the year. Chauffeurs/public hire vehicle drivers work for government departments, hotels and private hire car companies. Self-employed chauffeurs/public hire vehicle drivers are often subcontracted to private companies.
Specializations
Chauffeur/Public Hire Vehicle Driver
A chauffeur/public hire vehicle driver drives cars to transport personnel and visitors on behalf of hire car companies, businesses, government or other organisations. Some families employ a chauffeur and this work usually entails other duties, such as running errands. When driving dignitaries, chauffeurs/public hire vehicle drivers must be aware of, and follow, security procedures.
Taxi Driver
A taxi driver drives cars licensed as taxis to transport passengers for a fare that is calculated on a taxi meter. Taxi drivers usually work shifts, which involves day, evening and weekend work. Taxi drivers have constant contact with the public. They must provide a service that meets the standards of government regulatory authorities and the taxi network for which they drive.
Car Driver
Car drivers transport passengers to their destinations.
Taxi Driver
A taxi driver drives cars licensed as taxis to transport passengers for a fare that is calculated on a taxi meter. Taxi drivers usually work shifts, which involves day, evening and weekend work. Taxi drivers have constant contact with the public. They must provide a service that meets the standards of government regulatory authorities and the taxi network for which they drive.
Average age
46 years
Future Growth
Very strong
Gender Share
6% female
Average full-time
48 hours
Weekly Pay
$970
Skill level rating
Lower skill
Unemployment
Lower unemployment
Full-Time Share
58% Full-Time
Employment Size
58,300 workers
Employment by state
ACT: 1.5%
NSW: 37.0%
NT: 0.8%
QLD: 17.8%
SA: 5.3%
TAS: 1.7%
VIC: 25.2%
WA: 10.6%
Age brackets
15-19: 0.1%
20-24: 2.8%
25-34: 24.3%
35-44: 19.4%
45-54: 21.2%
55-59: 11.3%
60-64: 10.7%
65 and Over: 10.2%
Education level
Advanced Diploma/Diploma: 15.9%
Bachelor degree: 18.5%
Below Year 10: 9.5%
Certificate III/IV: 13.5%
Post Graduate/Graduate Diploma or Graduate Certificate: 9%
Year 10 and below: 15%
Year 11: 3.5%
Year 12: 24.7%
Years 11 & 10: 11.7%
