Course Category: Taxi Driver Training Course
As a Taxi Driver, you own and operate your own small business. You get the opportunity to meet people from all walks of life. The rewards can be high in terms of job satisfaction and financial return.
You can either own the taxi car and taxi plates or you can own the car and lease the taxi plates or you can lease both the car and plates. The arrangements you make will depend on your financial situation.
Your income will depend on the quality of your service to the clients you build, the hours and way you operate your taxi and your knowledge of what happens in Perth, Fremantle and the suburbs.
Your costs will depend on the arrangements you have made regarding ownership or leasing of your taxi and taxi plates, and the way you operate the taxi and your business.
This is the job which makes you your own boss and allows you to develop your own business.
The Taxi Industry and the Department of Transport have set minimum entry requirements in the interests of maintaining a safe and professional taxi service to the community. If you’re thinking of being a taxi driver you must tick “Yes” to all these questions:
Are you 20 years of age or over?
Do you have a current motor vehicle licence and are
not on probation?
Are you medically fit?
Can you provide two character references?
Can you read, write and speak English?
Are you a "People Person"?
Please Note: If you are less than 25 years of age, you may pay higher insurance premium and bond.
If any, traffic & criminal records of applicants are checked by the Department.
If you have an “F” or a “T” for driving a country taxi, call the Driver Assessment Officer of the Department of Transport on (08) 9216 8000 and seek advice regarding references and having to do a medical.
One of the most important and difficult things about becoming a Perth Taxi Driver is getting the geographical knowledge you need to be a professional.
Once you decide to become a Taxi Driver, you should start work as soon as possible on getting “The Knowledge”. For some people this will take only days to get, others may take a little longer. It will depend on how well you know your way around Perth.
We have a course that you do by yourself called “The Knowledge” Course. It involves reading a workbook and doing some paperwork exercises. Then you get out either on foot or in your car and do the practical exercises and answer tests at the end of each practical exercise. It’s like a car rally.
In addition and also prior to commencing the course you will be provided with a schedule of prominent geographic locations that will form part of your overall assessment process.
The Department of Transport Entry System -
PLEASE NOTE: At different points throughout the entry system you will be required to show
photographic proof of identity such as your passport or driver’s licence.
You must do the following;
1) Apply for the “T” class licence.
2) Have a medical examination and Police clearance by the Licensing Division of the Department of Transport. Wait for a Department of Transport clearance.
3) Do the Aptitude & Attitude Test with Recruitment Assessments & Training WA or Miraquin Pty Ltd.
Wait for approval letter.
4) Attend and pass Transport Forum WA’s training program.
5) Undertake final exam with Department of Transport examiners.
Obtain your Taxi Driver ID Card.
6) Start work.
You must complete the training program within 6 months of receiving Department of Transport clearance.
(As at Step 2 – above).
Contact us if you need to discuss any problem or you need advice on the above system.
Step No 1. - Apply for the “T” Class Licence
You do this in person at any Metropolitan Licensing Centre. See “White Pages” telephone directory under Transport for details.
Take with you two written character references, not older than 12 months and from people you have known for at least four years. Also you need to take primary and secondary identification and your driver’s licence to make this application. To find out what is acceptable primary and secondary identification, contact the licencing centre first and get the information.
Once you have made the application, you will receive a M107, medical form. You need this to give to your own doctor to do the medical examination.
If you hold either an “F” Class or a “T” Class to drive a country taxi make this point known to the Licensing Centre Staff. If you have problems ask to speak to the “Officer in Charge”.
Step No 2 - Do the Medical Examination
Make an appointment with your own doctor to have a medical. You need to take the M107 medical form with you. The doctor will fill in this form and post it to the Driver Assessment Section of the Department of Transport. They will assess your medical report and check any criminal and/or traffic records you may have.
Once the checks are complete, you will be advised of your suitability to proceed, or otherwise.
Contact Agency - Driver Assessment Section
Department of Transport
Phone: 131156
Once you have the clearance letter from the Department proceed to the aptitude and attitude test.
There are two companies authorised by the Department of Transport to administer the test. Since you, the applicant, are required to pay their fees, you are free to choose the one you prefer.
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Recruitment Assessments and Training WA
13 Salisbury Road
RIVERVALE WA 6103 or
PO Box 417
BELMONT WA 6984
Ph: (08) 9277 9730
Contact: Mr Paul Smith
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Miraquin Pty Ltd
Suite 5, 172 Main Street
OSBORNE PARK WA 6017
Ph: (08) 9349 2965
Email admin@miraquin.com.au
Contact: “Chris” in reception
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Both companies offer testing times outside normal business hours and on weekends.
Here again, once the checks are complete, you will be advised of your suitability to proceed or otherwise by the Department of Transport's Taxi Unit.
When you book onto the course, we will confirm your booking in writing, explain the program content and issue you the training reference materials. We will also ask you to complete a pre-assessment questionnaire to determine whether you will need to attend all training and assessment sessions.
Tests will be conducted at the end of each unit of training. Should you fail any unit, retest fees are $50 per unit.
When you pass, we will issue you a “Statement of Attainment” for the national road transport competencies you have successfully completed. This certificate is required so that you can be booked to undertake your licencing examination with The Department of Transport.
Step No 5 - Get Your Taxi Driver Identification
Once you have your Statement of Attainment you present this to the Department of Transport where you will be given a final test prior to being issued with your Taxi Driver Identification Card.
You need this ID Card to operate a taxi car in Perth.
Please take course certificates and evidence of having obtained your “ T” Class licence and passed the Aptitude & Attitude assessment to:
Training and Administration Officer
Taxi Unit
Department of Transport
20 Brown Street
EAST PERTH WA 6000
Telephone: 08 9218 3636
You must present yourself in person to get this done.
Once you have your Taxi Photo ID, you arrange a lease of either a complete taxi or plates to fit to your own car and start work. Alternatively, you may have decided to buy or set up your own taxi and operate that as your business.
We will provide you with information during the course on how you go about getting into the taxi business.
Having obtained a taxi you then must register with a Taxi Dispatch Service to receive work over the taxi computer booking system.
Now you’re on your way and can start work.
“Please note” You will be required to pay a bond for the taxi you are going to be operating.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION ON TRANSPORT FORUM WA'S TAXI COURSE AND FOR COURSE DATES PLEASE CONTACT OUR TRAINING DEPARTMENT ON (08) 9470 1245.
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