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Hi all

Just joined the forum today.  I have been made redundant from my job and have being consodering private hire in birmingham.  I have had enough of working for a shitty company under idiot managers.

Please can you give me some advice on where to start my private hire career in order.  ALso what outgoings do i need to consider, how much will my weekly outgoings be working the dayshift.  How long will it take from now to getting onthe road making money?

Also i need to make £300 takehome a week to survive.  Is this easily possible and how many hours would i need to put in to achieve this.

Finally, how much roughly is taxi insurance these days?  Is it seperate from my normal car insurance i am currently paying.

Sorry for so many questions but im desperate for advice

Hello Legalize
To briefly answer your questions...
Outgoings depend on the individual and how much debt they allow themselves to get into.
You might acquire a Car on finance....Lets say £350 PM
from a office you will pay office bit......Lets say £400 PM
Accountancy fees......from £90 PY to £450 PY
Your Badge + Crb check..varies from council to council
Your plate / test / compliance ( at least twice a year )
Livery, top sign, taxi meter ( If you decide to go hack )
Huge fuel bills, maintenance, road tax, etc....
Your Insurance is a specialist type and yes separate from "normal car" insurance..
Depending on your age, motoring history and such like you could look at over a grand for 1st time and that will be good.

As far as income from the trade.....The rule is..you work the hours you earn the money.
PS: I hope you don't want to take weekends off or see much of your family.

But apart from that ...YES..the job is great...

Steve

Thanks for the answers.

I already own a car that i can use.  Also i am lookin to work on average 50-60hrs per week.  what is the chrage you pay the taxi base you are driving for?

hi legalize, radio rent varies from firm to firm, my owner drivers pay me 120 a week, there earning7 to 8 hundred a week, by the way how old is you car some areas have a age limit so check with you licensing department steve is right please do you sums and give it  a lot of thought coz it is a god forsaken job if you are going to do it make sure it pays you well dont go out thinking your going to make a killing put the hours in and it will pay, as for celebrateing birthdays, anniversarys, or out else good luck, 20 years down the line mate just started haveing the odd night off, lol

Fox seems to have summed it up there....lol

I do not work from an office...I am a Hack.
Check that your council has no age restriction on the vehicle like fox said.

Regards Steve

How much could i expect to earn roughly working 50-60 hrs per wekk on days?

no one can answer that only your self, again youy need to do your homework talk to the local hacks in your area, if and i say if, lol they dont suspect your from the inland rev they may give you some idea  what you can earn, intresting you say days you will need to go for a good school contract and hopefully work a very busy rank to draw some good money, unless you cab share, you do the days and find a driver willing to do the nights, some cab firms will also take you on as a driver on day wage but apart from your tips i think they only pay minium wage truefully legalize its all about enquireing go round the cab firms talk to your local taxis im sure they will help you good luck