VTAXPER76800 - Particular trades: taxi and hire cars: questions to ask the trader
The taxi and hire car trade is characterised by a lack of paperwork. It is therefore vital that you ascertain the full facts, by asking all the following questions, before attempting to make your decision.
- Who owns the cars?
- If the firm owns the vehicles, where are they kept? Are they available for the private use of drivers?
- Who has to bear the following expenses:
- insurance;
- maintenance of the car;
- taxing the car;
- fuel costs?
- How is the money retained by the cab firm calculated; is it a fixed hourly or weekly rate, or an agreed split of the takings?
- To whom do customers pay cheques?
- Who bears the loss if customers do not pay, or dishonour a cheque?
- Do vehicles bear the company logo?
- If the firm owns the vehicles, how many vehicles are there, and how many drivers?
- If there are more drivers than vehicles, who draws up the roster? Does the firm instruct drivers to be available for work at particular times?
- What rules does the firm stipulate for its drivers? Are standards insisted on for dress, cleanliness of vehicle, etc?
- Can a driver refuse a fare offered by the cab firm?
- What records does the cab firm keep in relation to the driver’s work; can it accurately calculate how much they have earned in any given period?
- Who sets the prices for customers?