Tips to handle the Christmas rush as a taxi driver
Get your taxi ready for the busy period so you or your business can thrive this festive season.
Table of Contents
5. Looking after your customers
6. Health advice – Don't overwork yourself (breaks, food and hydration)
7. Driving in adverse weather conditions
With the end of the year and the festive season fast approaching, it’s never too early to start planning ahead. Christmas is a busy time for taxi drivers as people leave their cars at home to celebrate with friends and family.
To help you get ahead of the curve, we've rounded up some handy tips on best handling the Christmas rush as a taxi driver.
Fuelling up and potholes
Many petrol stations can be closed or have different opening hours during the festive period. Don’t get caught out by waiting until your fuel light comes on to fill up your taxi.
We recommend putting a full tank of fuel in your taxi on Christmas Eve, before any seasonal opening hours come into effect.
As the roads become busier, they can also be more susceptible to potholes. However, potholes can cause punctures to your taxi tyres. If you do suffer a puncture, it can be difficult to get it fixed with car garages closed or working reduced hours over Christmas.
If you do spot any potholes, always drive slowly to avoid any tyre damage.
Fewer taxis mean more work
Christmas is a time to spend with family and friends. So some taxi drivers may choose to take time off instead of working over the Christmas period. You're more likely to pick up extra passengers as people leave their cars at home to enjoy festive drinks with family, friends, or colleagues.
If you can pick up more shifts in December, your taxi meter will reap the benefits.
Digital payments for taxi rides
If you read the future of cashless payments in taxis, you’ll know that contactless payments make up 25% of all UK transactions .
It's important to make sure your card reader is working if you do accept digital payments. If not, you could miss out on vital taxi business.
This also saves you trips to the cash machine, which will reduce your fuel usage and avoid causing your customers the unwanted stress of trying to find a cash machine.
Vehicle maintenance for your taxi
Your taxi is your place of work, so when it’s off the road – so are you. Before the start of the Christmas rush be sure to give your taxi a quick once over.
Always check that your tyres meet the required tread depth to maximise fuel economy and avoid any accidents.
Most passengers are dressed up to celebrate the Christmas period and nobody wants to get into a messy taxi. So be sure to keep the interior fresh with a quick hoover and clean seat covers.
Looking after your taxi customers
It’s not uncommon for passengers to be a bit ‘too merry’ after endless Christmas parties and festivities.
If you do pick up worse for wear passengers, bottles of water and plastic bags can come in handy to avoid any emergencies.
Always be careful driving your taxi over speed bumps or roundabouts to keep any motion sickness at bay, and your taxi clean!
After all, customer service is key to running a successful taxi business. Want to find out what else can improve a taxi company’s customer service? Read our article on five tips for improving your taxi company's customer service.
Taxi Driver Health Advice - Don't overwork yourself (breaks, food, and hydration)
As well as looking after your customers, it’s equally important to look after yourself. Take regular breaks, especially if you’re working the night shift.
If you’ve been driving your taxi for two hours, it’s time to take a break. Take a quick five-minute break away from your taxi to stretch your legs and get some fresh air.
Also, make sure you have plenty of food and water to keep yourself fuelled up.
Driving your taxi in adverse weather conditions
Every year many of us are hoping for a white Christmas. But this can be bad news for taxi drivers, creating difficult driving conditions. There's a few things you can do such as increasing your breaking distance and braking slowly and gently.
Read our full article on how to drive safely in snow, rain and fog.
Looking to upgrade your taxi ahead of the festive season? At The Taxi Centre, we offer a wide range of new taxis for sale.
Not sure what you’re after? Contact us and our friendly team will be able to find the best taxi deal. As well as explaining the different finance options available.