Summary of What they do:

Drive a motor vehicle to transport passengers on a planned or scheduled basis. May collect a fare. Includes nonemergency medical transporters and hearse drivers.

What Taxi Drivers, Shuttle Drivers, and Chauffeurs Do

Taxi drivers (including ride-hailing drivers), shuttle drivers, and chauffeurs drive people to and from the places they need to go, such as homes, workplaces, airports, and shopping centers.

Duties

Taxi drivers charge a fare to transport people to and from the places they need to go.

Taxi drivers, shuttle drivers, and chauffeurs typically do the following:

• Drive taxicabs, vans, limousines, or other motor vehicles to transport passengers
• Pick up passengers and listen to where they want to go
• Help passengers load and unload their luggage, packages, or other belongings
• Check the vehicle for problems and do basic maintenance
• Keep the inside and outside of the vehicle clean
• Operate wheelchair lifts when needed
• Collect fare, if applicable, at passengers’ destinations
• Keep a record of miles traveled

Taxi drivers, shuttle drivers, and chauffeurs must stay alert and watch the conditions of the road. They take precautions to ensure their passengers’ safety, especially in heavy traffic or bad weather. Taxi drivers and chauffeurs also must follow vehicle-for-hire or livery regulations, such as where they can pick up passengers and how much they can charge.

Drivers are usually familiar with the streets in the areas they serve. They often use Global Positioning System (GPS) navigation to choose efficient routes. They may know on their own how to reach popular destinations, such as airports, train stations, convention centers, hotels, and other points of interest, as well as how to find fire and police stations and hospitals in case of an emergency.

Taxi drivers (including ride-hailing drivers) are summoned to pick up passengers and drive them, for a fare, to a destination stated by the passenger. Taxi drivers—also called cabdrivers or cabbies—typically get requests via a central dispatcher; ride-hailing drivers get requests through a smartphone app. In addition, taxi drivers may pick up passengers who wait at designated sites, such as train stations or hotels, or who signal their need for a ride from public places, such as sidewalks. While taxi drivers use a meter to calculate the fare, ride-hailing drivers pay a fare that is typically specified in the app.

Shuttle drivers and chauffeurs take passengers on planned trips. Shuttle drivers often drive large vans between airports or train stations and hotels or other destinations. Chauffeurs drive limousines, vans, or private vehicles and are hired to transport clients either for single trips or on a regular basis. Some chauffeurs have the duties of executive assistants, acting as driver, secretary, and itinerary planner.

Important Qualities

Customer-service skills. Taxi drivers, shuttle drivers, and chauffeurs regularly interact with their passengers and should be courteous and helpful. For ride-hailing drivers, excellent customer-service skills may lead to favorable ratings from passengers.

Dependability. Passengers rely on these drivers to pick them up on time and safely transport them to their destination.

Hand–eye coordination. Drivers must watch their surroundings and avoid obstacles and other hazards while operating a vehicle.

Patience. Drivers must be calm and composed when driving through heavy traffic and congestion or when dealing with rude passengers.

Visual ability. Drivers must be able to pass a state-issued vision test to hold a driver’s license.

Tasks On The Job

1. Arrange to pick up particular customers or groups on a regular schedule.
2. Check the condition of a vehicle's tires, brakes, windshield wipers, lights, oil, fuel, water, and safety equipment to ensure that everything is in working order.
3. Collect fares or vouchers from passengers, and make change or issue receipts as necessary.
4. Communicate with dispatchers by radio, telephone, or computer to exchange information and receive requests for passenger service.
5. Complete accident reports when necessary.
6. Comply with traffic regulations to operate vehicles in a safe and courteous manner.
7. Drive shuttle busses, limousines, company cars, or privately owned vehicles to transport passengers.
8. Follow relevant safety regulations and state laws governing vehicle operation, and ensure that passengers follow safety regulations.
9. Maintain knowledge of first-aid procedures.
10. Notify dispatchers or company mechanics of vehicle problems.
11. Operate vehicles with specialized equipment, such as wheelchair lifts, to transport and secure passengers with special needs.
12. Perform errands for customers or employers, such as delivering or picking up mail and packages.
13. Perform minor vehicle repairs, such as cleaning spark plugs, or take vehicles to mechanics for servicing.
14. Perform routine vehicle maintenance, such as regulating tire pressure and adding gasoline, oil, and water.
15. Pick up and drop off passengers at regularly scheduled neighborhood locations, following strict time schedules.
16. Pick up or meet passengers according to requests, appointments, or schedules.
17. Prepare and submit reports that may include the number of passengers or trips, hours worked, mileage driven fuel consumed, or fares received.
18. Provide passengers with assistance entering and exiting vehicles, and help them with any luggage.
19. Provide passengers with information or advice about the local area, points of interest, hotels, or restaurants.
20. Read maps and follow written and verbal geographic directions.
21. Record vehicle routes.
22. Regulate heating, lighting, and ventilation systems for passenger comfort.
23. Report any vehicle malfunctions or needed repairs.
24. Report delays, accidents, or other traffic and transportation situations, using telephones or mobile two-way radios.
25. Test vehicle equipment, such as lights, brakes, horns, or windshield wipers, to ensure proper operation.
26. Vacuum and clean interiors, and wash and polish exteriors of automobiles.