Is there still money to be made in Hackneys?

danielle

Hi,

I would like to put a hackney cab on the road in Cork but some people are telling me that they no longer make money, that a Taxi is a better option, but I would like to start off with a small investment first which would be the hackney. Any help please? Thanks.

wexford12

Hi i dont know about Cork but the main reason i put a taxi on instead of hackney was so i didnt have to work for anyone else could pick up of the street you didnt say if your male or female if female there is a big opening for lady taxi s everywhere if you put in the hours you will make a living but you will never make your million like some say dont listen to guys who say they take in a grand a day

danielle

Thanks for reply.

What would be the set up costs for a Taxi, Insurance , meters, etc.,

wexford12

Hi the cost of a taxi plate is 6300 and hackney plate 125 ,meter and sign about 800 for the pair, insurance has come down a lot quinn is doing first year for mid 30ies guy about 1000.And then car is up to you but get a good one. www.taxiregulator.ie is a good site for all your info the only thing i would say dont belive all you hear about earnings most are way off the mark.What age are you and are you male or female i think i read somewhere you have to be 25 but im not sure

danielle

HI
thanks again,
how many hours per day do u do to make a good living and whats is cost of radio for car and for base rental and I heard that some bases look after some drivers over others... can this be true?

wexford12

I belive about 200 euro a week for radio

Wishbone Ash

I think that you are required to produce a tax clearance certificate and satisfy the Gardaí that you are "of good conduct".

Obviously you must also hold a full category B licence. The car must have at least four doors and have a fixed roof.

(AFAIK tow bars are not permitted but this may have changed as I see them fitted on lots of taxis).

wexford12

I dont think you are going to get a taxi to give out his earnings as its between the driver and the tax man.Did you say your age or if you were m/f?

danielle

Does the base supply the radio and is it 200 euro per week for this...it appears alot just for the use of a radio and base? Also if I am going out on my own as a new venture can I claim any costs back from taxman for set-up?

danielle

female driver and just need a idea of earnings..never ask a woman here age!

wexford12

Yes 200 a week where i live you get the radio you have it fitted and you dont own it.You have to work hours that the firm want you they give you the fares in theory.Its up to you if you think you would need it i dont use them as i like been my own boss and do my own hours.If your female some women like the security of having a base to work with as they vet calls coming in and takes most of the risk out of picking up fares

Wishbone Ash

wexford12 wrote:

I dont think you are going to get a taxi to give out his earnings

They 'give out' about everything else though!

wexford12

Lol never ask a woman her age but you asking how much i earn how much do you earn

danielle

I want to work for myself not tied down to a base so whats the best way to do this just drive around go to airport. train station etc., Can u make a living without a base?

danielle

Again I do not want to know what u earn but just a average say per hour or per day and what hours are the best to work.

wexford12

Well thats what a lot of drivers do but you have to put in huge hours to make a wage after you pay tax,diesel,insurance,servicing,cleaning of car,etc etc and if your car is off the road remember you dont earn money its not a easy game to make a living anymore,but as i said if you put in the hours and i mean hours you should make a living

danielle

Can I claim the set up costs back from tax man and in my current job I work 10-12 hour days without a break would that come under the huge hours u say for me to make a living? thanks for information..

wexford12

danielle wrote:

Again I do not want to know what u earn but just a average say per hour or per day and what hours are the best to work.

Sounds to me like my wages info lol night work is the best 5 pm to 6am thurs fri sat sun till 4 ish after that its up to you some guys do all nights as days can be very poor indeed iv been out on days from 10am to 6 pm ish where i didnt take 50 euro

Wishbone Ash

danielle wrote:

I work 10-12 hour days without a break

Self employed?

wexford12

Yes you can claim back of your tax on meter sign plate and even the car is claimed over three years as far as i remember you see a lot of new cars on the road but main reason is claim aginst tax first year i think its 40% value of car but i may be wrong with % i cant remember fully i dont have a new one yes the hours are long and your social live is over in this game but if you like it as i do its worth doing a job that is for you i would advise you get the spsv licence and then rent a taxi for a few weeks see if you like it they rent them in dublin dont know about cork i think you said you were from

danielle

thanks to everyone for info great help and a lot to think about but I would like to work for myself sick of working for people who do not have any appreciation of all u do for them. Any help on tax issues regarding set-up please let me know.

Wishbone Ash

danielle wrote:

I would like to work for myself sick of working for people who do not have any appreciation of all u do for them

If you are working for someone else and doing 10-12 hours a day withou a break, then your employer is contravening The Organisation of Working Time Act 1997.

danielle

I dont know of any place in Cork to rent a taxi u can lease but u are signed to a contract 1-2 years again u are working for someone else. I am not currently self employed so if I do set up what I want to know regarding tax can u get any of the 6,300 euro costs for licence back.

danielle

Wishbone Ash wrote:

If you are working for someone else and doing 10-12 hours a day withou a break, then your employer is contravening The Organisation of Working Time Act 1997.

They always have ways around this and he does not care.

wexford12

You wont get it back but you can off set aginst your tax bill at end of year also a taxi does not pay or claim vat

danielle

so at the end of the tax year I can claim some of the costs back and what about cost of fuel?

BostonB

Also be aware that if you have a bad year and have a few accidents it can dramatically increase your operating costs. Insurance, car off road for repair, claims, etc.

macshadow

danielle wrote:

Hi,

I would like to put a hackney cab on the road in Cork but some people are telling me that they no longer make money, that a Taxi is a better option, but I would like to start off with a small investment first which would be the hackney. Any help please? Thanks.

Hi danielle
I'm not a taxi driver but i've have an idea!
You could get a london cab,you know the big black ones,that way you have
protection with the drivers seat screened off.
Some of them are wheelchair accessible which means your taxi plate will cost
you 150 euro i think.

Spook_ie

You get some wheat and some chaff in these replies.

Definitive===== London Taxis do NOT qualify as WCA because they do not have wheelchair access from both sides ( An Irish requirement )

Definitive===== You can NOT claim tax relief on the cost of the Plate, however all other business expenses are deductable on the profit and loss accounts you submit each tax year

Definitive======You do not have to subscribe to a radio company with a hackney, however You are only allowed to take bookings. These bookings can be made through your own home/mobile phone. Get business cards printed and start your "own" hackney firm

Agent Smith

two words on why you should go be a taxi driver rather then a hackney driver, ( from someone who worked in a cab company for 3 years)

BUS LANES


also, people like to see what they are going to be charged before they reach their destination