Occupation · SOC 53-3054
Taxi Drivers
Drive a motor vehicle to transport passengers on an unplanned basis and charge a fare, usually based on a meter.
Median wage
$36,220
$27,280–$61,920
Projected growth
—
—
Annual openings
—
per year
Employed (US)
17,510
Job Zone 2
Typical preparation
Some preparation
Stackable credential programs
2 mapped
Core skills
Active ListeningMonitoringSpeakingOperations MonitoringCritical ThinkingOperation and ControlReading ComprehensionJudgment and Decision Making
Knowledge areas
English LanguagePublic Safety and SecurityTransportationCustomer and Personal ServiceMechanical
Technology & tools
Data base user interface and query softwareMobile location based services softwareWeb page creation and editing softwareSpreadsheet softwareOffice suite software
Representative tasks
Collect fares or vouchers from passengers, and make change or issue receipts as necessary.Communicate with dispatchers by radio, telephone, or computer to exchange information and receive requests for passenger service.Complete accident reports when necessary.Determine fares based on trip distances and times, using taximeters and fee schedules, and announce fares to passengers.Drive taxicabs or privately owned vehicles to transport passengers.Follow relevant safety regulations and state laws governing vehicle operation, and ensure that passengers follow safety regulations.Notify dispatchers or company mechanics of vehicle problems.Perform minor vehicle repairs, such as cleaning spark plugs, or take vehicles to mechanics for servicing.Perform routine vehicle maintenance, such as regulating tire pressure and adding gasoline, oil, and water.Pick up passengers at prearranged locations, at taxi stands, or by cruising streets in high-traffic areas.Provide passengers with assistance entering and exiting vehicles, and help them with any luggage.Provide passengers with information or advice about the local area, points of interest, hotels, or restaurants.Report to taxicab services or garages to receive vehicle assignments.Test vehicle equipment, such as lights, brakes, horns, or windshield wipers, to ensure proper operation.Turn the taximeter on when passengers enter the cab, and turn it off when they reach the final destination.Vacuum and clean interiors and wash and polish exteriors of automobiles.
Competency framework
Skill expectations by proficiency level.
emerging
Passenger pickup and drop-off locations — identify and navigate using GPS-based mobile location software under dispatcher guidance on urban and suburban routes.Traffic laws and local regulations — follow and apply during daily vehicle operation under direct supervisor oversight at a licensed taxi company.Vehicle pre-trip inspection checklist — complete using standard protocols to confirm safety and mechanical readiness before each shift.Fare calculation and payment processing — perform using in-vehicle metering equipment and basic office suite software under senior driver guidance.Passenger communication — conduct using clear spoken English to confirm destinations and provide basic trip information in customer-facing situations.Route options and road conditions — monitor in real time using mobile navigation software to select the most efficient path on familiar city streets.Cargo or luggage stowage in the vehicle trunk — assist with loading and securing following company orientation procedures at pickup locations.Incident and trip data — record in a database or logbook using provided data entry templates under dispatcher direction at shift end.Safety and emergency procedures — recognize and follow basic protocols when hazardous situations arise during supervised on-road training.Dispatch instructions and customer requests — listen to and interpret accurately using active listening skills during radio or app-based communication.
developing
Passenger destinations across the full service area — navigate independently using mobile location-based services software without dispatcher assistance on routine and unfamiliar routes.Vehicle load distribution for multiple passengers and luggage — arrange to maintain balance and comfort, applying basic weight orientation principles during standard pickups.Trip records and mileage logs — maintain consistently using spreadsheet software to support compliance reporting with reduced supervisory review.Customer service interactions — manage with professionalism and cultural sensitivity during high-volume shifts at airports, hotels, and transit hubs.Mechanical irregularities and warning indicators — detect and report promptly by monitoring dashboard systems and vehicle performance during daily operations.Fare disputes and passenger complaints — resolve calmly by applying judgment and company policy during stressful in-vehicle situations.Traffic congestion and road closures — adapt routes in real time using critical thinking and up-to-date navigation data on busy metropolitan roads.Operating system and dispatch app software — use reliably to receive, accept, and complete ride assignments across multiple platform environments.Safety protocols for vulnerable passengers — apply attentively, including assistance with boarding and securing mobility devices, during community transport assignments.Shift performance data — review using provided spreadsheet reports to self-monitor on-time rates and identify recurring inefficiencies at the individual driver level.
proficient
Complex multi-stop and charter trip logistics — plan and execute autonomously by calculating optimal routing and timing using mapping and scheduling tools for corporate or event clients.Cargo orientation and load distribution across larger passenger vans — determine and adjust to maintain vehicle center of balance in accordance with safety standards on shared-ride assignments.Non-routine passenger situations including medical needs or difficult behavior — assess and manage independently using problem sensitivity and deductive reasoning in unpredictable field conditions.Vehicle maintenance schedules and mechanical service records — oversee and coordinate with fleet maintenance staff to ensure roadworthiness across an assigned vehicle rotation.Regulatory and public safety compliance — interpret and apply updates to licensing, insurance, and transport laws without supervisory prompting in a regulated urban taxi environment.High-stress driving scenarios including adverse weather and accident scenes — navigate safely using developed stress tolerance and operational control skills during real-time emergencies.Reading comprehension of policy documents and route updates — apply to correctly implement company procedural changes across daily operations with full autonomy.Passenger feedback and service quality metrics — analyze using database query software to identify patterns and recommend service improvements to operations management.Airport and venue staging operations — coordinate ground-level vehicle positioning and passenger flow management during large events requiring multi-driver logistics.Mentoring less-experienced drivers informally — guide on navigation strategies, customer handling, and safety practices during shared shifts or company orientation periods.
advanced
Driver safety and operations training programs — design and deliver to new employees covering safety procedures, equipment operation, and regulatory compliance at an organizational scale.Fleet dispatch and load staging procedures — establish and standardize to maximize vehicle utilization and route efficiency across the entire driver workforce.Company-wide safety and security policies — develop and enforce by integrating public safety and transportation knowledge domains into binding operational protocols.Center-of-gravity and cargo distribution standards for specialty or accessible vehicles — define and communicate to ensure all drivers apply consistent load-securing practices across the fleet.Performance and compliance data systems — oversee using database and spreadsheet software to monitor driver metrics, flag risks, and inform executive-level decisions.Regulatory relationships with municipal licensing and transport authorities — manage on behalf of the organization, representing the company's safety record and policy positions.Organizational scheduling and administration frameworks — create using office suite and management tools to optimize shift coverage, vehicle availability, and driver workload balance.Customer and personal service standards — set and institutionalize through formal policy, training materials, and web-based communication channels to define the company's service brand.Crisis response and incident command — lead during multi-vehicle accidents, severe weather events, or security incidents affecting active fleet operations across the service territory.Strategic workforce development plans — author and implement to recruit, credential, and retain qualified drivers, aligning talent pipelines with projected demand and regulatory requirements.
Also known as
33 alternate job titles map to this occupation.
Van DriverGround Transportation Apprentice (Air Force 2T131)Rideshare Cab DriverDeliverer, Car RentalBicycle Taxi DriverTaxi Cab DriverMotor Transport Operator (Army 88M)TransporterCab DriverRickshaw DriverShuttle DriverGround Transportation Superintendent (Air Force 2T191)Van OperatorGround Transportation Helper (Air Force 2T111)Taxicab DriverLimo Driver (Limousine Driver)Chauffeur, Funeral CarTaxi DriverMotor Vehicle Operator (Marine Corps 3531)Lyft DriverGround Transportation (Air Force 2T1X1)Wheelchair Van DriverChauffeurDriverGround Transportation Journeyman (Air Force 2T151)Transportation AideGround Transportation Craftsman (Air Force 2T171)Ground Transportation Manager (Air Force 2T100)Transportation DriverHack DriverVan OwnerHackerPedicab Driver