Contents

1. Understanding the Taxi Business Landscape
2. Requirements to Become a Taxi Driver
3. Acquiring a Private Hire Vehicle (PHV) Licence
4. The Journey to Becoming a Taxi Driver
5. Choosing a Vehicle for Your Taxi Business
6. Taxi Driver Earnings
7. Why Choose iCabbi for Your Taxi Business?

Understanding the Taxi Business Landscape

In 2022, there was over 260 thousand licensed taxis and minicabs in England, an increase of 3.8% from 2021. The growth was driven by a substantial 5.1% increase in minicab numbers, despite the Covid-19 pandemic. Taxi drivers enjoy the freedom to choose their work hours, making it an ideal option for those looking for a “side hustle” or needing to balance multiple commitments.

Requirements to Become a Taxi Driver

To become a minicab driver, you must:

1. Be at least 21 years old
2. Hold a UK driving licence for three years (for London) or one year (outside London)
3. Have the legal right to live and work in the UK

Acquiring a Private Hire Vehicle (PHV) Licence

To drive a minicab, you will also need a PHV licence. The process includes:

1. Providing proof of identity (e.g., national ID card or passport)
2. Undergoing a Group 2 medical examination to confirm fitness, including an eyesight test and disclosing any medical conditions
3. Obtaining certification, such as an NVQ Certificate in Road Passenger Vehicle Driving (Taxi and Private Hire)
4. Passing a topographical or local area knowledge skills assessment
5. Clearing an enhanced criminal record Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check

To work in London, you’ll also need to take the Safety, Equality, and Regulatory Understanding (SERU) test, similar to the black cab “knowledge” test.

The Journey to Becoming a Taxi Driver

Becoming a minicab driver can take around six months and cost up to £1,500. Once you submit your PHV licence application, local authorities may take between six to eighteen months to make a final decision. If there are complications, such as a previous criminal conviction or medical issues, the process can take even longer.

Choosing a Vehicle for Your Taxi Business

After obtaining your PHV licence, you can either use your own car or work for a minicab operator that provides a vehicle. Purchasing a minicab can cost between £35,000 and £75,000, especially if you opt for an electric vehicle, which would be more efficient in the long run. You may also need to install a Covid screen or CCTV system for safety purposes.

It’s recommended to work for an existing minicab firm initially to gain experience before committing to buying a vehicle of your own.

Taxi Driver Earnings

Outside of London, taxi drivers can take home around £500 a week after expenses, resulting in an average annual income of £27,000. In London, earnings can be significantly higher, up to £60,000 per year after expenses but before taxes.

Why Choose iCabbi for Your Taxi Business?

So now you’re on your way with your taxi career, how can you expand? iCabbi offers a world-leading taxi dispatch software that helps you manage your business effectively. With iCabbi, you can:

1. Automate a high percentage of bookings
2. Streamline your operations to cut costs
3. Deliver outstanding customer service
4. Compete with ride-sharing apps like Uber

In addition, iCabbi provides exceptional UK-based customer support to help you navigate any challenges that arise while running your taxi business.

Free Demonstration.

Conclusion

If you’re looking to become a taxi driver, now may be the perfect time. It’s not easy to meet all the specific requirements and navigate the lengthy application process. However, with the right tools, such as iCabbi’s taxi dispatch software, you can create a successful and flexible business that meets the needs of your community.

The post Launching Your Taxi Business with iCabbi’s Dispatch Software first appeared on iCabbi UK.

1) Taxi Dispatch Software Provides Your Fleet With Efficiency

Think of all the times you have sat there, thinking of ways to cut costs and provide a better working life for your drivers. All companies have admin and paperwork, but the way the digital age has come about, it is just as important that taxi companies do the same. That is why iCabbi have worked seamlessly to provide taxi software that allows taxi businesses to streamline their work. With voice recognition and state-of-the-art GPS, your taxi drivers can have anything they need at their fingertips. Not only does this bring happiness to the driver, but it also means that there is a reduced need for admin in your business.

Cutting costs and bringing efficiency to your fleet through automated software is something iCabbi can help you with. Check out our iCabbi webinars on YouTube to see what cloud-based shortcuts we can help you with!

2) You can save money for your taxi business

Whilst we have talked about the need for efficiency, this comes hand in hand with cutting costs. Using cloud-based and automatic software, the need for admin staff is reduced. It also limits the interaction between dispatchers and drivers, as well as drivers and passengers. With passengers ordering and booking their journeys through the app you can have for your company, the need for paperwork and dispatchers is reduced.

With fewer employees needed and less manual paperwork required for the existing staff, your outgoings are reduced. You will also not need to splash out on an office for your staff. Whilst taxi journeys are coming back into fashion, remote working is also still popular. With staff having your admin at their fingertips thanks to the cloud, the cost-cutting measures can begin with the iCabbi taxi dispatch software.

3) Increase the happiness of your taxi drivers

Having automated taxi software for your business also increases the happiness of your drivers. This not only provides a better working environment but also allows for the growth of your fleet. As a business owner, your fleet will only grow if drivers want to stay, not leave.

The reason taxi drivers want to stay? If they are still dealing with manual dispatchers then there is sometimes still the accusation of bias and favouritism. With automated software, that isn’t the case anymore. The software simply helps to choose the best driver for the best job. It takes into account the distance that the driver is from the pickup destination and how accessible they are. If taxi drivers know this, they know they will be treated fairly and will earn their fair share of the fare. This particular webinar on iCabbi split invoice commissions is a great explainer on how you can ensure your taxi drivers feel happier about working for your taxi fleet.

4) It can give you the edge over your competitors

iCabbi not only provide state-of-the-art taxi dispatch software, we go that little bit further. The whole iCabbi taxi dispatch engine has so many facets that taxi fleet owners don’t even know about. The software provides you with an app on which you can implement your logo. That means that you get public visibility. Your brand is out there and if your drivers are doing a good job, you are likely to get chosen over your competitors.

Not only do you get visibility, but the passenger app that comes as part of the software is also user friendly. As we mentioned earlier, it is 2022 and in the digital age, being able to order a taxi using an app is a lot easier than talking to a manual dispatcher on the phone. Thanks to Uber, journey booking apps are now the norm, and it is important that as a taxi fleet you keep up to date with them.

5) iCabbi taxi dispatch software provides little to no downtime

The problem with going online is that many businesses fear that there will be downtime. If a taxi company is run manually, then a taxi fleet owner likes to think that their staff will always be on the other end of the phone and the drivers will be easily reachable. However, the iCabbi cloud-based software has little to no downtime.

You can view all you need to know about the trusted software here. We are very open about our stats and reliability, so much that we have set up a live feed for you to read here.

Why iCabbi?

Grow your taxi business with iCabbi fleet management software – the most advanced dispatch system in the world! Contact us via the contact form or phone us on 01623 44 22 11. Alternatively, pop us an email at enquiries@icabbi.etgl.co.uk. Our friendly team will be able to assist you in any way we can.

The post 5 reasons you need taxi dispatch software to help deal with the surge in demand for taxis first appeared on iCabbi UK.

Managing your drivers with an automated taxi system

iCabbi’s taxi dispatch solutions make it easier to manage your drivers and their journeys, all from one place. Our taxi dispatch solution is easy to use, is well known for its reliability and provides you with a greater insight into how your taxi company can grow. If you’ve identified the problems or potential pitfalls in your business, we can provide the solutions.

Driver loyalty

For example, if your issue is driver loyalty, which is quite common in the taxi industry, then we can help. A lot of drivers will move around taxi companies because they feel unfairly treated. In a sense, they think they can make more money elsewhere. This may be because they feel other drivers are preferred by manual dispatch operators. With automated taxi dispatch systems, you can take that aspect out and make a driver feel at ease. There is no bias. It simply helps to choose the best driver for that journey. Location and availability are taken into account. This way, a driver will know that any journey has been chosen for the most suitable driver.

iCabbi driver app

The iCabbi driver app allows this functionality and much more. Due to key functions and tips like surge pricing during busy hours, you can help the drivers earn more money than they are likely to elsewhere. Christmas may have just gone but there are plenty more busy holidays coming up and surge pricing is one key feature which will keep your drivers happy.

It’s also easy to use for both drivers and admin staff. Jobs will be allocated fairly, quickly and efficiently to the appropriate driver. What else could a driver want? Essentially, it limits the need to manage the busy times without recruiting the extra staff. The idea of an automated taxi dispatch system is to help you reduce costs, not increase them.

Managing your passengers

As we have mentioned many times on our blog, the normal passenger just wants to get from A to B. Prices will be a factor and you will need to manage these alongside your competitors, but more on that later. They essentially just want to be able to book a taxi and it turns up on time. Next, they want to be safely delivered at their destination. Is this as easy it sounds? It can be with an automated taxi dispatch solution and the right software. There are a variety of options to choose from when it comes to iCabbi software, and the passenger app is just one.

iCabbi passenger app

The iCabbi passenger app is perfect for any taxi companies who are looking to go one step further with their business. Whether it is a rebrand or just to provide a better experience for customers, there are plenty of options available.

When Uber burst on the scene with their app, the world went crazy for it. Well now, the taxi sector is fighting back and lots of taxi companies are providing a state-of-the-art service to passengers. Easy to use booking apps and transparency in prices are just some of the plus points of the iCabbi passenger app. Gone are the days when a passenger would spend time looking for phone numbers and waiting to get through to an operate.

Now, a simple app which provides cost, estimated journey time, estimated arrival time and even transparency on who the driver is could propel your taxi business upwards. Take a look here at what else is on offer with the passenger app. You’ll also see how easy it is to use!

Pricing solutions

We touched on surge pricing earlier on in the blog but that’s not the only bonus of iCabbi taxi software. Your ability to be flexible with pricing will give you an advantage against other taxi companies in your zone. You want to be able to own your zone and beat off any rivals with competitive pricing points. Monitor passenger trends and price your journeys accordingly.

Automated Taxi Dispatch System with iCabbi

Modernise your taxi business with a complete dispatch solution. You can save time, reduce costs and essentially own your patch with iCabbi. With it being an automated cloud-based taxi solution, you will be able to reach all of your drivers and passengers without all the ‘fiddly bits’. Everything you need will be at your fingertips.

Accessibility, flexibility, and also reliability are the key components of any successful business, and it is no different in the taxi world. Learn more about iCabbi taxi software by viewing our automated taxi dispatch solutions page.

Don’t just take our word for it

Not only does our software provide a great experience for all clients and customers, but the service we offer comes highly recommended from our customers. This review below is one example of what it is like to work with us. From our Customer Success Executives to our Software team, you can only expect the best with iCabbi UK.

Interested in a free demonstration of our automated taxi dispatch solutions? Just get in touch Free Demonstration or give us a call on 01623 44 22 11.

The post An automated taxi dispatch system – Why you need it for 2022? first appeared on iCabbi UK.

How to avoid overbooking your fleet with automated taxi dispatch software UK

Overbooking your drivers can be an administrative nightmare. This has long been the case with taxi companies that have operated with manual dispatchers. Fortunately for those who organise taxi fleets and bookings, iCabbi has developed a state of the art automated software which allows operators and users to block out time zones when they know they are already overbooked.

This limits the potential for fleets or drivers to be overbooked. Having a fleet that cannot cope with passenger demand could be detrimental to your business. That is why it is important to get ahead and ensure you have blocked out the relevant time zones. In a similar way to how surge pricing works, it is about ensuring you get the best out of your passenger demands, during busy periods.

Surge pricing would mean that you can increase your prices and earn more money, without having to fulfil more journeys. With competitive rates, you can limit the number of journeys you have to fulfil also. Obviously, it would be hard to turn down more journeys, but by utilising your dispatch software correctly, you can ensure you earn enough money and run a smooth taxi operation.

Choosing the right taxi dispatch software in the UK to limit overbooking

In any business that you are offering a service, you need to be able to adapt to customer demands. If you operate a restaurant, you will need booking software to ensure you have enough tables to accommodate any bookings. It’s the same with taxis.

If there is a big event in the local area, such as a charity event, demand for taxis may be busy. If you’re expecting a surge in bookings, it would be good to ensure your taxi booking software is up to scratch and will cope. The iCabbi taxi solutions have great experience in coping with busy times. In the UK particularly, you just have to check out the testimonials of customers that we have. A quick read of our reviews should give you a great insight into how popular this automated software is for taxi fleets.

Collaborating during busy periods

It’s also funny we mention restaurants. Whilst hospitality venues often provide a great service to customers, they don’t always provide you with a way home. As a local taxi firm, a great way of garnering some business would be to coordinate with a local hospitality venue.

Reach out to any venues and learn if they have any big events coming up. If they do, you can be prepared. You can set your zone limits to ensure the drivers in your taxi fleet are not overbooked. (To learn how to do this, just check out the webinars available on our YouTube channel at iCabbiUK).

That way, you can ensure your drivers are ready for the increase in demand for journeys. Additionally, whilst also being prepared, you can make sure that they are not overbooked. By blocking out two to three timezones, a driver can be limited to the number of journeys that they can have assigned to them. If your focus is one event and you want to be able to lay on taxis for that party, this particular piece of advice would be very handy.

Learn more about the automated taxi dispatch software available in the UK by discovering more about iCabbi here.

Why you should choose automated taxi dispatch software UK from iCabbi

Here’s a quick snippet of what you can expect when using the iCabbi taxi solutions. Click on the graphic to view all our other testimonials.

Still interested? Give us a call on 01623 44 22 11 or email us here.

The post Avoid overbookings with iCabbi’s taxi solutions first appeared on iCabbi UK.

Not only does an automated dispatch system remove paperwork, but it also makes your drivers and employees’ jobs so much easier. At iCabbi UK we have seen a range of taxi fleets to the dispatch software. We are convinced by the end of this article, you will want to book a free demonstration with our expert team to see how iCabbi can help your taxi business.

What is an automated taxi dispatch system?

It is pretty simple really. It does what it says on the tin. iCabbi software automates taxi dispatch processes for your business. The whole dispatch engine from iCabbi can help your business grow, each of the individual elements that make up the iCabbi system are designed with your operation in mind.

With each facet of the dispatch engine, you can see how it would make life easier for your drivers and staff. No more driver complaints saying that the staff operating the phone lines are favouring other drivers. Every driver would be given a fair chance to earn as much money as they can. In turn, this would keep them happy and loyal.

Additionally, there are all the niche aspects that you can’t do with a dispatch system. Surge pricing and scheduled tariffs are great examples. If you know there is going to be a busy time and you want to cash in, then it makes sense to raise your prices in line with your competitors. Even raising tariffs by £1 per journey can lead to a driver reaping the rewards for that month. It would be crazy to miss out.

Efficient taxi dispatch engine

As mentioned, there are many reasons why you would want to automate your taxi dispatch processes. Helping you to cover all bases is the iCabbi taxi dispatch engine. Below are just some of the reasons why our customers love it.

The iCabbi software efficiently streamlines your fleet’s administration with payment, billing and record management. This is all available to see in our automated taxi dispatch software, but there is plenty more to shout about.

If you have a taxi fleet of numerous drivers, you don’t want to be stuck managing them all at different times. With an automated system, you can manage multiple fleets on one simple to use the system. The fact that it is automated and a cloud-based taxi dispatch system lets you enjoy the convenience of digital online storage and administration. If you’ve never been a paperwork fan then this will be ideal for you. As the owner of a taxi business, you don’t even have to manage your fleet.

Automated software

One of the other bonuses about the taxi dispatch engine on offer from iCabbi is how it reduces both time and cost. It will save you money in terms of administration. The engine does your admin for you! What’s more, it is 99.99% reliable. There is very little downtime and you will always have the business at your fingertips. For any entrepreneurs, as most taxi business owners are, this is perhaps one of the most convenient facets.

Furthermore, you can (if you want to) work with third-party apps. You can decide who can have access to your taxi dispatch system backend. It’s completely up to you. Depending on their status, you can provide users and administrators with total access, or they can be restricted to that particular area of admin they work in.

Why iCabbi’s automated taxi dispatch system?

Obviously, we believe in our own systems and how it benefits your business. But we do want the best for you. That’s why we are talking about the benefits of iCabbi’s automated taxi dispatch system. It is one of the most advanced dispatch systems in the world.

Don’t just take our word for it though, Top Cars thought the same about our services. Rating the software and service they receive, they gave us A+++ in their own words, not ours! See more iCabbi software testimonials by clicking on the graphic below!

Request a Free Demonstration to see why iCabbi is the go-to choice for taxi businesses across the UK.

Or call us on 01623 442211, or email us and we can help get you started.

The post How can an automated taxi dispatch system grow your business? first appeared on iCabbi UK.