While it may seem that a cab driver has only one responsibility, to drive customers to and from certain destinations, this is not the case. Instead, a cab driver must be ready to take on a number of different responsibilities including handling funds and cleaning the inside of taxi cabs. Taxis have been around in various forms for many centuries now, and the many duties of a cab driver increase as time goes on.
A person who works as a cab driver must have excellent communication skills. Not only do cab drivers have to pick up all kinds of people, but many cab drivers must also be able to follow complicated schedules. Frequently, cab drivers are hired by tourists or businesspeople for an entire day, and this can mean adhering to a difficult schedule throughout the day. In addition, elderly people may ask taxi drivers to run small errands for them. Tasks such as retrieving mail, picking up dry cleaning, and retrieving groceries are all part of this job description.
Aside from special circumstances such as the ones mentioned above, taxi drivers must also be able to operate different types of vehicles. Some taxis are specially made for handicapped people and feature ramps that must be raised and lowered. This type of vehicle requires a special license that most cab drivers must obtain prior to securing a taxi position.
Generally, cab drivers are not required to repair vehicles, though some drivers may be asked to make minor repairs. Many taxi drivers know how to change tires, windshield wipers, lights, and other small vehicle parts. Many drivers are also responsible for cleaning the inside and outside of a taxi on a regular basis.
Perhaps the most important task that a cab driver must be aware of is how must to charge a customer for each trip. While the price of some trips have been predetermined, such as airport fares, other trips must be calculated using taximeters and fee charts. These prices must be calculated prior to setting off on any long trip, and customers must be notified of these rates.
Taxi drivers should have basic knowledge of a country's spoken language. Drivers that have knowledge of other languages can also be seen as an asset to taxi companies. The average cab driver has many different tasks to attend to, though this type of work can be emotionally rewarding if a person enjoys driving, talking, listening, and working with others.