Taxi drivers
Drive a motor vehicle to transport passengers on an unplanned basis and charge a fare, usually based on a meter.
Taxi drivers drive a motor vehicle to transport passengers on an unplanned basis and charge a fare, usually based on a meter. The role reports a median annual salary of $36,220 in the US and is projected to grow 11% over the next decade (faster than average). Entry typically requires a No formal educational credential, and shows moderate AI exposure (0.57 on a 0-1 scale) — some tasks are being automated but the role adapts. The most in-demand skills for the role include geographic areas, mechanical components of vehicles, transport topography, communicate with customers, drive in urban areas.
Pay in the UK
UK: median £27,854 a year for Delivery drivers and couriers (ONS ASHE 2025, full-time)
Middle half of full-time jobs: £24,583 to £33,472 a year
UK jobs are grouped differently; this is the closest UK occupation group (ONS SOC 2020 8214). ONS rates this estimate precise. 2025 provisional figures; ONS revises them a year later. Source: ONS Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings (Open Government Licence)
Pay in India (occupation group)
Average monthly earnings of salaried employees in the occupation group “Plant and machine operators and assemblers” in India, from the Government of India's Periodic Labour Force Survey (January–December 2025). It covers everyone in this group, not only Taxi drivers, and it is not US pay converted to rupees.
Source: MoSPI (Government of India), Periodic Labour Force Survey Annual Report 2025, Table 51 — average wage/salary earnings of regular wage/salaried employees, NCO-2015 division 8. Official India data gives one average per occupation group: there are no official India figures for single careers, experience levels or cities. Read the report
How to get here in India
The usual route into this career in India. Each step links to the official page it comes from.
- 1 · Qualification Optional: ITI trade 'Driver cum Mechanic (LMV)' (6 months, after Class 8)[1][2]
- 2 · Registration Learner's licence from the RTO, then a driving test of competence for the permanent licence[3][4]
- 3 · Registration Transport-vehicle driving licence — can be applied for at age 20[3]
Rules change: check the exam body's and regulator's current notice before you apply.
- DGT — Driver cum Mechanic (LMV) trade syllabus (Craftsmen Training Scheme) (read on 2026-09-27)
- DGT — List of CTS courses (read on 2026-09-27)
- Parivahan (MoRTH) — Learner's Licence (read on 2026-09-27)
- Parivahan (MoRTH) — Permanent Licence (read on 2026-09-27)
Top skills
What you'd actually do
- Collect fares or vouchers from passengers, and make change or issue receipts as necessary.
- Communicate with dispatchers by radio, telephone, or computer to exchange information and receive requests for passenger service.
- Complete accident reports when necessary.
- Determine fares based on trip distances and times, using taximeters and fee schedules, and announce fares to passengers.
- Drive taxicabs or privately owned vehicles to transport passengers.
- Follow relevant safety regulations and state laws governing vehicle operation, and ensure that passengers follow safety regulations.
Tools & technology you'd use
Frequently asked questions
What does Taxi drivers do?
Drive a motor vehicle to transport passengers on an unplanned basis and charge a fare, usually based on a meter.
How much does Taxi drivers earn?
The median annual salary for Taxi drivers in the US is $36,220.
What is the job outlook for Taxi drivers?
The role is projected to grow 11% over the next decade (faster than average). Current US employment is approximately 204,000 workers.
How do I become taxi drivers?
The typical entry education is a No formal educational credential. Building a foundation in the top skills below will strengthen your application.
What skills does Taxi drivers need?
The most in-demand skills for this role include geographic areas, mechanical components of vehicles, transport topography, communicate with customers, drive in urban areas, read maps. These are the skills O*NET identifies as most important for competent performance.
Will AI replace Taxi drivers?
Our AI-durability model gives Taxi drivers a score of 0.57 on a 0-1 scale (higher = more exposure). That places it at moderate AI exposure — some tasks are being automated but the role adapts. Learning to work with AI tools rather than against them is the path forward.
How hard is it to enter this field?
Taxi drivers has low barrier to entry — generally accessible — you can enter with basic credentials and on-the-job learning.