I’d like to start by giving you a taxi driver’s job description.

It is simple.

To sit and wait for someone to need a ride.

To safely transport people from one place to another.

First thing you must do is check out the business in your area, where taxis make the most money, what time of day are the drivers making the most money, etc. Determine when and where you will drive.

Where is your office going to be? That would be determined by how many taxis you’re going to start out with and if you have room where you live to park each vehicle.

The next thing is find out the regulations in your area. Your local ordinances will be available to the public and can usually be found online.

The next step would be to go to the business license office and apply to be an owner. In most places you will pay a filing fee and have to wait until your background is picked through with a fine toothed comb (which could take weeks) just to find out if you are approved to be Taxi Owner.

When you are sure you have familiarized yourself with the ordinances and are sure that you’re going to be approved to be an owner, you will then choose your vehicle.

CHOOSING A VEHICLE:

Vans are first choice these days no matter where you go, but there are many sedans in use as taxis. (The new Vans with the automatic doors are a big hit with the customers.)

Choose a vehicle that is not too old or worn out. A well maintained vehicle will serve you well for many taxi miles to come.

Consider attending govt. or police seized vehicles or retired police cars to find your ATM on wheels.

Consider the cost of the vehicle, figure in the cost of “Turning it into a cab”. You have to buy a top light, meter, 2-Way Radio & Connection (If Necessary), alterations to the interior (Like plastic covering on cloth seats if regulated mandatory) and extra large voltage regulator. Then you’ll have it all installed by professionals who know how to turn your vehicle into an ATM on wheels.

CHOOSING YOUR INSURANCE

Choose your insurance company carefully. It is best to shop around for all carriers that will cover Taxi Cabs, not all do. Find the best rates before you buy.

(The average rate is no less than $250.00 per vehicle in SC.)

When your spanking new taxi has passed inspection your ready to hit the streets and start collecting cash!

OPERATING YOUR NEW TAXI BUSINESS

As with any other business record keeping is vital to its success. There is one difference with this business. Your records must be well kept. You must keep a log of all calls you take for taxi orders, you must keep a running log of your mileage, odometer and meter reading, how much gas you use in business, who much you spend on supplies, food on the job or entertaining customers, and everything else that pertains to the operations of your business. NOTE: Home Based Business get tax breaks.

If you have drivers work in your taxi you will have to figure out how you will allow them to pay you for the use of your taxi. There are several ways like Lease Driver & 50/50 Drivers.

Each of your drivers should meet the standard requirements to be a taxi driver before you allow them to take control of your ATM on wheels. Record keeping is a MUST and should be required to perfection with each driver.

Well I hope that this will at least get you started.

Great Luck and wishes of much prosperity to you in your Entrepreneur ventures.