This job is said to be well paid and accessible to everyone with only a car. But this road professional sets the record straight. Those who want to become a taxi driver must meet these two conditions.
For many, becoming a taxi driver seems relatively simple. Isn’t it enough to have a car, a driving license, a GPS and customers to practice this profession? And with the explosion of VTC services like Uber, some people have the impression that anyone can get started. But the reality is quite different, as explained by this professional taxi driver who wanted to highlight an often overlooked reality regarding this profession. There are two conditions that must absolutely be met.
Contrary to what one might think, each approved taxi had to follow rather restrictive training and sometimes lengthy administrative procedures. And this profession, which requires real skills, also requires a financial investment with a suitable vehicle, specific insurance, etc.
A taxi driver interviewed by RawStéphanie, explained in detail the steps she followed to obtain the professional card issued by the prefecture which proves that she is qualified to practice. “You must pass the professional taxi driver certificate (CCPCT, editor’s note). You must have at least three years of license and then you have a national exam and a departmental exam because your certificate is valid for a department“, she detailed before concluding: “You have a driving test with a driving school inspector, mapping tests and theoretical tests“. Training of approximately 50 to 300 hours is strongly recommended to have a greater chance of passing the exam.
Once you have passed the exam, the destination is not quite reached since you still need to obtain a license, called a parking permit, which allows you to wait for customers on the street and practice independently. To do this, you must apply at the town hall or prefecture, buy it from another driver (it can cost between 30,000 and 300,000 euros) or rent it from a company. But this step can sometimes be long and expensive.
If becoming a taxi can seem like an obstacle course, VTC drivers must also follow training and pass an exam, but these steps often remain shorter and more accessible than for taxis… whose profession remains very regulated!
