In an age of ride-hailing services and the evolving transport landscape, it’s more important than ever for taxi firms in the UK to recruit taxi drivers and retain the best drivers. With the right team, your company can achieve:

• Higher customer satisfaction
• Improved safety
• A competitive edge

We’ve put together this helpful article to outline a number of ways that can help you attract, recruit, and retain the best taxi drivers in the business.

Build a reputation as a good employer

Reputation counts for a lot and in the digital age, word of mouth spreads fast than ever! You want to make sure that you are known in your community and your industry as a good and fair employer.

This starts with your current employees, making sure they are happy and engaged. They are the ones who will serve as brand ambassadors and spread positive word-of-mouth about your company – so by working on developing a positive work environment will go a long way to attracting top employees.

The iCabbi dispatch system can be a great way of improving driver satisfaction. Features like in-app messaging and notifications, allowing taxi companies to keep drivers informed about job assignments, updates, and important announcements. This clear and instant communication reduces driver stress and helps them feel more valued and engaged.

Spread the word

To help spread the word about your amazing reputation as an employer, think about using social media, your website, and other channels to tell the world how good you are at looking after your employees – whether that be extra perks and benefits, supporting local charities and good causes or simply cakes in the office on a Friday.

How you recruit taxi drivers

A solid job advert is key for recruitment. You want to make ensure that it clearly explains the key responsibilities and requirements of the role, as well as the benefits of working for your company. Once you have your advert, think about how it’s viewed and accessed. Online job boards, social media, and local newspapers are a great first port of call.

As well as posting adverts for drivers to find you, it’s also worthwhile to think about ways you can go out and find new drivers. Consider partnering with your local driving schools and training centres to tap into a pool of newly qualified drivers.

Also, look into participating in job fairs and networking events as well, as they provide valuable opportunities to personally connect with potential candidates. Additionally, don’t underestimate the power of employee referrals – think about how you can incentivise or encourage your existing drivers to refer their friends and contacts.

Competitive pay and benefits

To successfully attract and keep top-notch drivers, it’s crucial to provide appealing compensation packages and perks. Take the time to study the current market rates for taxi drivers in your locality and ensure that your payment structure aligns with or exceeds those benchmarks. Additionally, incorporating bonuses and performance-based incentives can further entice highly skilled individuals to join your team.

With iCabbi, additional pay and rewards can also be offered based on driver performance, helping to incentivise a culture of high-performance. iCabbi can enable taxi companies to monitor driver behaviour, such as punctuality, customer ratings, and driving habits. With this data, companies can implement incentive programs and reward drivers who consistently deliver great service. By recognizing and rewarding high-performing drivers, iCabbi helps to motivate and retain the best talent.

It doesn’t just have to about pure pay either; consider offering benefits such as health insurance, pension contributions and paid leave. These perks can set your company apart from competitors and help to retain drivers in the long run.

What’s more, small gestures of appreciation can go a long way in making your drivers feel valued and motivated. Aside from performance-based bonuses, this could be in the form of employee-of-the-month awards, or simply acknowledging their efforts during team meetings.

Streamline your hiring and on-boarding

A lengthy or complicated hiring process can deter top talent.

The iCabbi taxi dispatch system can simplify the driver onboarding process, making it easier for taxi companies to recruit new drivers. The system can automate the collection and verification of driver documents, such as licenses and insurance, reducing the administrative burden and ensuring compliance with regulations. This streamlined onboarding process saves time for both the company and the drivers, making it more convenient and attractive for potential recruits.

Provide quality vehicles and technology

To keep running expenses down while making the driving job more appealing to potential recruits, consider maintaining your fleet to a high standard of comfort, and investing in fuel-efficient vehicles.

The proper use of technology can also be a game-changer in making drivers’ roles more straightforward and efficient. Giving drivers access to the appropriate tools and tech can significantly boost their performance and job happiness.

Take iCabbi as an example, it’s brimming with features aimed specifically at drivers, which significantly improves their experience. For instance, the intuitive navigation feature offers real-time traffic updates, assisting drivers to plan the best routes and keep delays to a minimum. The system also allows drivers to customize preferences, such as choosing preferred vehicle types. By prioritising driver convenience and personalisation, iCabbi helps create a positive work environment and encourages driver loyalty.

Promote work-life balance

Taxi driving can be a demanding job, with irregular hours and high levels of stress. Promoting work-life balance is crucial for retaining the best drivers. You should consider offering flexible schedules, where drivers can choose their shifts or have some control over their working hours.

Look into establishing policies to ensure that drivers are not overworked, such as limiting the number of consecutive hours or days that they can work. Also encourage drivers to take breaks and time off to rest and recharge. A well-rested driver is not only safer on the roads but also more likely to stay with your company in the long run.

Click here for further reading on how to establish a work-life balance in your business.

Encourage feedback and continuous improvement

Finally, encourage feedback from your drivers and use it to make continuous improvements. Regularly survey your drivers to understand their job satisfaction, challenges, and suggestions for improvement. This will not only make your drivers feel heard and valued but also provide valuable insights for improving your recruitment and retention strategies moving forward.

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Remember, your drivers are the backbone of your business, and investing in them is an investment in the success of your company. Get in touch today to find out more about how iCabbi could help make you a more attractive and successful employer.