Can you imagine a job where you are constantly on the move, meeting new people and can adjust your working hours to your needs?
Working as a taxi driver offers many benefits, such as flexible schedule and independence, but it also requires a lot of self-discipline, time management skills and… readiness for various challenges.
In this article, you will learn what qualities are key in this profession, what formalities need to be completed to start working as a taxi driver, and how much you can earn from it. Check if this job could be for you!
Working in a taxi – what does a day in the life of a taxi driver look like?
Working as a taxi driver is more than just transporting passengers from point A to point B. It is a job that allows you to combine your love of motoring with the possibility of earning money, and at the same time, it presents the driver with considerable challenges.
Do you want to know what is really behind this profession? 😊
Taxi drivers don't just transport people - they help with luggage and sometimes even carry small loads.
Occasionally, passengers may need a little help, for example when carrying shopping.
A taxi driver must therefore be not only a driver , but also a person who takes care of the customer's comfort, keeps the car in good condition , and also looks after payments and settlements at the end of each trip.
It's a job where approach to people, self-discipline and time management skills count . It's more than just "behind the wheel" - it's also relationships, responsibility and daily challenges!
What requirements must be met to become a taxi driver?
In Poland, to become a taxi driver, you must have a license and meet several formal requirements, such as:
Medical and psychological examinations – the driver must be fully functional.
Certificate of no criminal record – especially important in larger cities.
Passenger transport license – for a specific area (one city or several communes).
When it comes to the way of working, taxi drivers can choose from various options. Some are employed by taxi companies and take orders from the head office, which gives them some comfort and regularity.
Many drivers value their independence and work through apps such as Bolt or Uber – an option that often attracts those who value flexibility.
Both paths have their advantages, but working as a taxi driver requires more than just driving skills. It also involves the art of dealing with people and good time management. If you are the type who can find your way in any situation and enjoys contact with others, working as a taxi driver could be a great choice!
What are the duties of a taxi driver?
Apart from the obvious transportation of passengers, a taxi driver is also responsible for:
Ensuring comfort and safety – it’s not just about safe driving, but also a pleasant atmosphere in the car.
Assistance to passengers – for example when loading luggage, especially elderly people or families with children.
Payment handling – the driver accepts payments and issues receipts, which requires honesty and attention to transparency.
Taking care of the vehicle – a clean and efficient car is a taxi driver’s calling card. Regular maintenance and reporting faults are key here.
Flexible working hours – the biggest advantage of this profession
One of the greatest advantages of working as a taxi driver is the flexibility of your working hours . You can decide when you get behind the wheel – sounds tempting, right? Especially for those looking for a side hustle or who have an irregular lifestyle.
But there is a catch. The most profitable hours are evenings and weekends – this is when the demand for taxis increases, because people are returning from parties, concerts or dinners in the city.
Thanks to this, you can actually "go out on the town" when you feel it is the best moment to earn money .
If you can adjust your schedule and don't mind late hours, working as a taxi driver could be the perfect fit!
Mobile vs. stationary work – the differences
Working as a taxi driver is a typical mobile job – your office is the entire city or region where you operate. You don’t sit at a desk, but you are constantly on the move. For many, this is a huge advantage, because such work gives independence and a sense of freedom.
However, this also means having to deal with surprises, such as traffic jams, accidents, and weather. If you value variety and like to be “out there,” working as a taxi driver could be the perfect fit.
Is working as a taxi good for a student?
Working as a taxi driver is the perfect job for those who can't imagine life behind a desk. Your office is the entire city (or region where you operate), and every day brings new routes, clients, and challenges. Sounds good?
For many people, this mobility is the greatest advantage of the profession - working as a taxi driver gives you a sense of independence and freedom . You don't have a rigid schedule, you don't sit in one place, you're constantly on the move.
But as with everything in life, there are downsides. A taxi driver has to deal with surprises : traffic jams, sudden accidents on the road, the vagaries of the weather… All of this can affect your route and travel time.
How to combine studies with working as a taxi driver?
If you want to combine your studies with work as a taxi driver, here are some tips that may be useful:
Choose the busiest times of the day – evenings and weekends are best if you want to earn more in less time.
Plan your study time before exams – taking days off to study is key to keeping your balance.
Use apps – Bolt and Uber allow you to take rides at any time, making it easier to fit work around classes.
Taxi Driver Earnings – How Much Can You Earn?
Taxi earnings depend on many factors: number of hours, city in which you drive, and form of employment.
On average, the monthly income can range from PLN 4,000 to PLN 10,000 gross, but after deducting the costs of running a business (fuel, application fees, vehicle depreciation, ZUS), the net income is usually around PLN 2,000-4,000 .
For students or people working part-time, this is an attractive option because working in the evenings or on weekends allows you to earn a good income without having to give up other activities.
Earnings on platforms – Free Now and Bolt
Taxi driver earnings are very unpredictable and depend on many factors: location, number of hours worked, seasonality, and the platforms you work on.
Revenues can range from PLN 4,000 to PLN 10,000 gross per month, but after deducting operating costs, the real net income is usually around PLN 2,000-4,000 .
Nevertheless, there are drivers who can earn much more, but this requires experience and often requires much more time than in a regular job.
Taxi labor costs
Working as a taxi driver, especially when using an app, involves numerous expenses that greatly affect your final earnings. The most important of these are:
Fuel and car maintenance – with intensive use, these costs can be really high.
App commissions – If you work on platforms like Bolt, Uber, or Free Now, you have to pay a portion of your earnings (usually 20% to 30%) to the app.
Car rental – if you don’t have your own car and have to rent one, this cost is also a big drain on your budget. Many drivers pay several hundred złoty a week for rental, which effectively reduces their profits.
In practice, after all these costs are deducted, many drivers earn just over the national minimum wage – and sometimes even less.
It happens that after paying the commission and rent, only a few thousand zlotys are left in the bank, and I know of cases where drivers did not even earn the minimum wage.
Combining work on different transport applications
When working on apps, you can freely combine work on several platforms at the same time, which allows you to maximize the number of orders.
There is nothing stopping you from using Bolt, Uber and Free Now at the same time – you simply choose the order from the app that offers better conditions at the time.
However, earnings can be unpredictable . Sometimes you have one course after another, and the phone barely stops – then earnings can be really satisfying.
Other times you wait half a day for a PLN 20 rate, and the traffic is so low that after paying the commission and fuel costs you have little left.
What factors influence earnings?
The greatest impact on earnings has:
Time of day and day of the week – evenings, especially weekends, are the most profitable time when people return from parties or restaurants.
Location – in large cities such as Warsaw, Krakow or Wroclaw there is a greater demand for taxi services, so earnings may be higher than in smaller towns.
Your availability – the more hours you spend working, the greater the chance of a better salary, but this is not always the case.
Working as a taxi driver can pay decent wages, but a lot depends on your flexibility and willingness to work during popular hours, such as evenings and weekends.
However, costs related to application fees, car rental and fuel can cause the earnings after deducting all fees to hover around the national minimum wage.
Additional aspects of working as a taxi driver
Working as a taxi driver has its challenges, but also benefits that can appeal to people who value flexibility and independence.
Working on weekends – is it a necessity?
Unfortunately, I'll disappoint you here. The most profitable courses occur on weekends, especially in the evenings and at night.
Passengers returning from events or guests coming to the city generate the most journeys.
Thus, your work on weekends is a chance to earn more, but of course it is not obligatory - you can decide when you want to drive.
How quickly can you start working as a taxi driver?
If you already have a license and meet the formal requirements, you can get started relatively quickly. Getting your license can take anywhere from a few weeks to a few months, but working on apps like Bolt or Free Now can get you started faster, especially if you decide to work with a fleet partner.
Work for foreigners – what do you need to know?
For many around the world, working as a taxi driver, food delivery driver or courier is the first job in a given country. Usually, for newcomers to a given country, the language barrier is a problem. Today, crowds of immigrants prove that this aspect is no longer a problem.
Working as a taxi driver is easily available to foreigners, but requires a Polish driving license , medical and psychological examinations, and obtaining a taxi license, or signing a contract with a so-called partner.
Knowledge of Polish is also important, especially in large cities, although if you plan to travel on an app, it is not necessary. The Polish Card is not required, but it can facilitate the process of legalizing your stay.
So is working as a taxi driver for you?
Working as a taxi driver is a challenging job, but it offers a lot of flexibility and independence. You can adjust your hours to suit your needs, earn more during busy seasons, and enjoy the satisfaction of a job that keeps you on the move.
For students, people looking for extra income or those who like independence – this may be the perfect option.
But if you are looking for stability, a job that is only 1/2 or 3/4 full-time and you always get paid on the same day of the month.
This job is not for you. As a taxi driver you have to be prepared for the fact that if there is traffic in the city you work until you stop.
And when there is no traffic, you do your own thing. This is the myth of flexibility at work. The truth is, you have to be flexible if you want to work as a taxi driver.
If you are able to reconcile these aspects and demonstrate good self-organization, then I will tell you one thing.
Try this job. And who knows, maybe you will be one of those drivers who earn above the national average.
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