Taxi and limousine drivers and chauffeurs (NOC 7513)

Taxi and limousine drivers:

• Pick up passengers and drive them to destinations in taxicabs or limousines
• Help passengers with luggage and with boarding and exiting vehicles and assist passengers with special needs
• Collect flat-rate or taximeter fares
• Maintain travel logs and record cash and credit transactions
• Maintain contact with taxi dispatch unit
• Clean and make minor repairs to vehicle or take vehicle for servicing
• May provide pick up and delivery services on request.

Chauffeurs:

• pick up or meet employer as per request, appointment or schedule
• drive employers to destinations in automobiles or limousines
• run errands (business or personal) for the employer (e.g., pick up mail, business documents or parcels)
• clean and do minor repairs to vehicle or take vehicle for servicing, as well as keep an accurate written time log
• must maintain a high level of professionalism and social etiquette

Taxi and limousine drivers may work evenings, weekends and holidays when demand for their services is highest. Chauffeurs' hours are usually dictated by the client and may require being on-call much of the time. Taxi drivers work either day or night shifts for 12 hours at a time. The National Safety Code prohibits taxi drivers from working more than 60 hours per week. Taxi drivers generally have more flexible work schedules than both chauffeurs and limousine drivers.

Limousine drivers and chauffeurs are usually required to wear a dress suit, tuxedo or a company-provided uniform.

Workers in this occupation routinely lift heavy baggage and sit for extended periods of time, which can be uncomfortable and create a risk for back or neck injury. Taxi and limousine drivers may also have to deal with difficult passengers from time to time.

The workplace is potentially hazardous since taxi drivers work alone, hold large amounts of cash and may transport passengers to remote areas. Taxi drivers also do not carry any form of protection and individuals who work at night face increased safety risks. However, in the Greater Vancouver Regional District, cameras have been placed in taxi vehicles as part of a pilot project to decrease safety risks to taxi drivers. This program is expected to extend to other urban regions in the near future.

Job openings will come from new job creation and the need to replace retiring workers.

Demand for transportation services in growing urban areas may cause shortages of workers in these occupations.

Taxi industry sources report that the supply of workers in this industry is closely associated with the economic climate. When the economy is booming, employers have difficulty finding enough qualified drivers to meet the company needs. However, when the economy is in a recession, there are more individuals willing to work in this industry. This is perhaps due to the minimal qualifications required to work.