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talkcss · New Member

Becoming a Relief Driver

taxiuncle · Senior Guru

hi welcome,

to answer your queries as following;

1) yes, you need to sign-up with the respective taxi operator to get a license to drive.
the license is also to cover you with insurance. to register, the fee is usually a token of
admin fees only. but you have to pay $1000 refundable deposit for security reason.
the $1000 can be paid by installment. can sign-up as many companies as you like as
long as you have the $1000 to pay them.

2) no, you can discuss the term of driving with the hirer. basically, it is up to you
how many nite you 1 2 drive.

3) it depends which taxi you have in your MSCP. try to get something convenience
to you since you are only driving for a few nites a week. you must also put in
consideration of the location of the diesel pump nearer to you if you dont have the
intention to pump private diesel. company diesel will be cheaper.

4) it depends of what time you start. if is during the peak hours, than the rate could
be higher and vice versa. also, it depends on which cab you driving.

hope my explaination helps.

talkcss · New Member

thanks taxiuncle, that was a quick reply!

i stay at sin ming avenue, so i think should be no problem pumping diesel. :)

sorry, 1 more question for now as they come to me suddenly.
5. How much roughly can a relief make per night? am i right to break it down like this using estimated figures:
Cost: rental ($50) + diesel ($20) = $70
Income: 10 trips x $15 = $150
Net: $80

Am I being realistic? Please feel free to adjust the figures above, thanks!

-- Edited by talkcss at 00:05, 2008-08-12

taxiuncle · Senior Guru

your estimation is confirmed out. diesel $20 is too low and 15 trips x $15 is too high.
on average, a 12 hours shift including pai jio, pai sai, eat small snake n lim quick kopi,
a taxi driver can made about $80 - $120 after less costs. that's my personal capacity
only, some lau bird can do better than that. it also depends on many other factors like
traffic condition, weather, begin or end month, holiday eve, F1 and etc...

maybe some lau birds can advise you better...

talkcss · New Member

i see.. thanks for the fast response once again!

CamryLimo · A Forum Mentor

On an average, per hour is about $20-22

Alot of factors to consider driving... do not jump onto the bandwagon thinking that taxi driving can supplement extra income.... firstly you gotta love driving...

I'm not trying to pour cold water but if you think taxi driving can earn extra income, you will in for a surprise... it's lots of hard working driving on the road facing good and idiotic pax... it's part and parcel of the job scope.

Anyway if you really want to give it a try, being a relief driver is the best option and wish u all the best :)

actfast42 · A Forum Mentor

Apart from the liking to drive, you have got to know the road well.

The December One · Veteran Guru

actfast42 wrote:

Apart from the liking to drive, you have got to know the road well.

Eh, I fail that one leh. Many times have to ask passengers for directions. Lucky meet kind ones most of the time.

moshimoshi · Veteran Guru

bro talkcss,
don't worrry about routes kowledge, u learn as u go along.
to supplement income as a cabbie, it's better to start as a relief drive
to make >$50 is possible, more if u drive weekend nites.
Welcome to the world of cab-driving and welcome especially to this forum.

taxikiddy · A Forum Supporter

welcome abroad, talkcss,
i'm also a new driver (4 mth old)
i was a relief for a week b4 becoming a Hirer, u can try to put a note on the windscreen of the taxis around your house carpark.
maybe u can write when & wat time u wanna drive, ur contact.
i tried that too the last time, i got a respond the next day!
dun aim for too much when u start to drive, but it will sure to grow day by day

(as u drive,u will meet many old bird when u Q or waiting, they will share wif u where to go, or lookout for the TaxiUncle.com butt decal and follow them, Hahaha).

good luck!

moshimoshi · Veteran Guru

taxikiddy wrote:

(as u drive,u will meet many old bird when u Q or waiting, they will share wif u where to go, or lookout for the TaxiUncle.com butt decal and follow them, Hahaha).
good luck!

bro taxikiddy, good promotional efort ,
but dun follow too me often coz i'll only bring u to kopishop.......

kekeke........

talkcss · New Member

Haha! Thanks for all the feedback, will get my lazy butt to send in LTA application and take the vocational license first.

Will update once done or ask if I have more queries!

Date: Sat Feb 7 4:50 PM, 2009

Hello all taxi uncles,

I'm a female, can uncles tell me was it appropriate for a lady to drive taxi especially at a night shift rountine as I am a night owl?

moshimoshi · Veteran Guru

Anonymous wrote:

Hello all taxi uncles,

I'm a female, can uncles tell me was it appropriate for a lady to drive taxi especially at a night shift rountine as I am a night owl?

Sure sister, in Singapore and especially SINGAPORE TAXI CLUB, we are gender-less.
As long as you meet all the criterias set by LTA, you can apply for a TVL.
As for driving the nite shift, my suggestion is you join our club, become a VIP member, then join the talkie group.
In this way, you can always stay in contact with the other nite shift members.
If you have any problems/troubles, I'm sure our brothers here will be more
than happy to assist you.
Looking forward to hear of your successful apllication and becoming one of our members.
Good luck and Cheers.

Date: Mon Feb 9 3:14 PM, 2009

Thks, bro moshimoshi
BTW, did I needs to pay a fee to join your VIP club? And whether any females member, don't tell me I'm the only rose amongst the thorns.
Going to attend a parttime course at Tampines and in the meantime take a look-through or studied on the TVL booklet on yr 2004 which was passed down by a relative. I presummed it changes a lot on the road status.