Driving a Taxi with fonaCAB
Driving a taxi with fonaCAB.
Whether you're already a Driver or thinking of becoming one, You'll find some useful information on this page. When you're ready, please give us your contact details here and one of our team will contact you for a confidential, no commitment chat.
Read the sections relevant to you below and click the logo on the top left of your screen to return to this menu anytime
I'm not a Taxi Driver yet
In order to work as a Taxi Driver in Northern Ireland you must have a Taxi Drivers Licence.
You will need to have held a normal driving license for three years or more before you can start the process, and you must be eligible to work in the UK. There is some testing involved, you'll have to pay for the cost of your tests and licenses, and it can take a month or two to complete the process, but we can help
There is no maximum age limit for driving a taxi. When you apply for a new license, or a renewal, you will have to complete a medical to ensure you are fit for driving and any age related issues, or disabilities are considered as part of this process
Driving a taxi for a living offers great flexibility, with you in control of the hours that you work, giving you the power to maximise your earnings and enjoy a great work / life / family balance - these benefits are the same whether you're male or female, there's no difference in the process or the opportunities. We'd love to see more female drivers working with us - the ones who already do love the role. You can read about two female fonaCAB Drivers and their experiences in this interview in Taxi Driver NI Magazine from October 2023
The fonaCAB Driver Academy offers FREE guidance and tuition, online and in person, to help you pass your theory test (We've got a 78.3% pass rate against an NI average of 30.1%) Tuition is offered free of charge and at a time that suits you. While we'll do our best to prepare you for the test, the onus is on you to study, go through the process and complete the tests.
To find out more about the FREE fonaCAB Driver Academy, please give us your contact details Here
I am a Taxi Driver thinking of moving to fonaCAB
We'd love to talk to you.
fonaCAB has a range of incentives for new and returning Drivers and we can get you on the road and earning as soon as same day if you make the move to drive with us.
We pride ourselves on the high standard of our fleet. Drivers are expected to keep their vehicles maintained and clean and this is rewarded with higher customer satisfaction and more bookings
Your car does not need to be new, or below a certain age, but it will need to be in great condition and have passed all necessary tests.
Easiest thing to do is come and see us with your car - Our Fleet Manager can advise you what's best and if needed, we can offer a variety of vehicles to rent and get you on the road at very competitive prices
Please give us your contact details Here and we'll be in touch with further information
I was a Taxi Driver but my license has expired
If you previously had a taxi license but it expired we can help get you back on the road. If your license is expired two years or less, you dont need to do any testing, you just need to make sure your CPC is up to date. If its more than two years you will have to start the testing process from the start - either way we can help
Please give us your contact details Here and we'll be in touch with further information
Driving a Taxi - What are the "Pros and Cons"
Driving a taxi has its ups and downs, just like any job - here are some of the challenges and opportunities we hear about from Drivers
Challenges
You need to pass a test to get a taxi license - there's time, effort and cost involved in this
When you start, costs such as insurance can be high
While you'll have the support of the depot you work for, you're managing your own day and the problems that arise with some customers
You're normally self employed and need to manage your holidays, accounts etc yourself
Opportunities
You're your own boss
You decide when and where to work, and for how long
You can work more to earn more
You can combine driving a taxi part time with another role
Every day is different and you'll meet lots of people
Managing your own accounts and budgets can have tax advantages
Why Choose fonaCAB?
As a Taxi Driver in Northern Ireland you either need to have your own Operators License or drive with a company that has one - here's some reasons why you should choose to drive with fonaCAB.
Every fonaCAB Driver is self employed. That means that they are free to work the days and hours that they choose with no penalty for not working, and no set shifts - Some choose to work the same hours every day, others work until they have earned a certain amount but Drivers often work their day around their lives - for example, logging off for a while, or starting later to allow time to get the kids to school. fonaCAB allow our Drivers the freedom to work when they want and where they want - This provides the opportunity for a fantastic work life balance
We've more bookings across more areas than any other company - this means that you're kept constantly busy if you want to be.
With so many bookings, you can generally pick up your next job where you drop - this means fewer dead miles and lower costs as you're driving empty for less of the time
Work where, when and for as long as you want - there are no penalties or shifts to influence you
We supply and fit all of your equipment (with a value of around £1000) free of charge
We have the latest Dispatch and Customer Service Systems as well as a modern APP and online booking facilities - you worry about driving, we take care of everything else
Drivers have access to our fonaCAB Driver Portal - you can access your own account, credits and payments and manage your documents twenty four hours a day
Our Fleet and Admin departments are on hand to help you with your Driver administration.
Drivers regularly benefit from seasonal incentives, free tickets and competitions as well as discounts and offers from partner businesses
We've got twenty four hour local IT, Fleet, Accounts, Customer Service and so on...We operate three local call centres in Belfast, Lisburn and Portadown to support you if you need it
We're more than sixty years old, known and trusted and respected for the support we give back to our customers through sponsorship, community and charity initiatives.
Loan cars available should yours be off the road
We record every phone call and track every booking. This improves customer service and and increases the security of our Drivers
What about costs and earnings?
The Driver keeps 100% of their fares
The Driver is not charged for any credit card or account fees that fonaCAB process on their behalf
fonaCAB do not charge Drivers for depot rent or equipment hire while on holidays, off sick, or just choosing not to work
We pay account work directly to the Driver up to twice a week
Roof Sign, Meter and Printer equipment are all provided and installed free of charge.
Part time and full time depot rent options. These are fixed amounts and do not increase as your earnings do unlike some other taxi operators
How do I find out more?
Whether you're considering becoming a Driver, already have your license, or if it has expired, Please give us your contact details Here and we'll be in touch with further information
Alternately, you can contact our Fleet Manager Gary McCoy directly by calling 02890 330 333 for Belfast and 02838 323409 for Craigavon for a confidential no commitment chat.
Our head office is at 209 Knock Road Belfast BT5 6QE and you're welcome to call in anytime Monday to Friday for a chat and meet the team. We'd also be delighted to meet you at our Carn Business Park Contact Centre in Portadown
If you'd prefer to speak to us by email, no problem - just drop us a line or two at drivers@fonacab.com and we'll come back to you