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If you enjoy driving and working with people, knowing how to start a taxi company might be something you want to do. Though starting a taxi company might require a relatively large investment, returns can quickly add up and many taxi companies expand within their first year. Starting a taxi company requires good management skills, a smart marketing plan, and compliance with all local legislation, so read the following steps to learn how to start a taxi company.
Steps
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Determine your niche. Though most taxi companies cater to all types of customers, there are those that cater to high-end clientele such as politicians, diplomats, and executives. Other taxi companies offer adapted vehicles for the physically impaired, while yet others provide green taxis for environmentally-conscious customers.
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Construct a solid business plan that includes your start-up costs, management strategy, marketing plan, and expansion plan. [2] X Research source Have an accountant review it for additional advice.
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Apply for a loan from your bank or seek funding from private investors to raise the capital you need to start a taxi company. [3] X Trustworthy Source U.S. Small Business Administration U.S. government agency focused on supporting small businesses Go to source
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Apply for a commercial driver's license at your local DMV. [4] X Research source
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Register your taxi company with your city to obtain your business license. [5] X Trustworthy Source U.S. Small Business Administration U.S. government agency focused on supporting small businesses Go to source Also apply for an employer's identification number or EIN if you plan to hire other drivers. [6] X Trustworthy Source Internal Revenue Service U.S. government agency in charge of managing the Federal Tax Code Go to source
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Purchase at least one vehicle that is modified for use as a taxi. Purchase taxi meters and top-light signs. [7] X Research source
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Register your vehicle or vehicles with the DMV. Unless they are licensed for commercial use, you may not use them as taxis.
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Choose a location for your taxi company. Make sure it has easy access to all major routes in your area and enough parking spaces to safely store all your vehicles.
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Purchase property, comprehensive, and liability insurance for your taxi company. Insurance will protect your company in the event of damage, theft, accidents, or lawsuits.
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Use GPS location software to help the central location keep an eye on taxis. The GPS should be up-to-date, such as Waze.
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Advertise your taxi company on flyers, in local publications, and on the Internet. Add your taxi company to tourist websites, and other informational sites. [8] X Research source
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Print business cards to give to customers after their ride.
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Consider having customer loyalty schemes. For example, you could hand out key chain loyalty cards which customers simply scan and their details are kept on file. [9] X Research source
- Having group discounts and special members only discounts are another possibility for promoting your company.
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Set up social media accounts. For example, Facebook and Twitter. Share updates and information regularly. Reward customers for sharing information, liking your company or entering competitions your company runs. [10] X Research source
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Use the taxis to raise revenue by offering car space for advertising. You could also consider special advertising, such as "company of the month".
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Interview and hire drivers. Hire people who are reliable, polite, and possess their commercial driver's licenses.
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Provide uniforms for staff. This helps to establish your taxi services as coming from a distinct and reputable company. It can be simple, such as a white shirt with blue or black pants.
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Set up rules for staff. Rules about behavior, use of the taxis and treatment of customers are important, along with ensuring financial accountability. Rules might include:
- Being drug- and alcohol-free when driving, along with turning up to work sober or not job that day. You might include a breathalyzer in each taxi.
- Keeping cars clean inside and out. Decide where the responsibility for this should rest.
- Uniforms to be in good condition, drivers to be well groomed.
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Have good employment practices in place. For example, how tips are to be handled, minimum pay and benefits, etc. [11] X Research source
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Community Q&A
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QuestionIs it possible to start with just a single car?Community AnswerAs long as you can cater to your clients' needs, then the number of cars doesn't matter.
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QuestionWere can I get a permit license?Michael WomackCommunity AnswerYour town business authority. I got mine from the city clerk at the chamber of commerce.
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QuestionIs it possible to start a taxi association with its own route if I do not have the necessary funds, and how would I gather the capital?Michael WomackCommunity AnswerYes. Some franchises only need 10K to start up, and that comes with corporate training, tax help, business advice, etc. If you cannot produce enough money to start up the business (insurance, supplies, licenses, etc.), I suggest you apply for a loan. A word of caution: have all the paperwork complete before speaking with a loan official. If you forget to obtain something like an EIN for employees or prove intended insurance to protect the business after opening, the bank or loan company may deny you before the interview has begun.
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Tips
- Make sure your company's name and telephone number are clearly visible on all of your vehicles, as well as on your marketing materials such as flyers, ads and business cards.Thanks
- Always maintain your vehicles meticulously to make sure they suffer the least amount of damages. Even the loss of one vehicle for a day can cost hundreds of dollars in revenue.Thanks
- Consider offering executive accounts to companies whose employees use your services often.Thanks
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Things You'll Need
- Business plan
- Capital
- Commercial driver's license
- Business license
- Employer's identification number or EIN
- Vehicles
- Dispatch system
- Taxi meters
- Top-light signs
- Location
- Property, comprehensive and liability insurance
- Business cards
Expert Interview
Thanks for reading our article! If you’d like to learn more about starting a business, check out our in-depth interview with Pete Canalichio .
References
- ↑ https://www.smallbusinessbonfire.com/starting-taxi-business/
- ↑ https://www.referenceforbusiness.com/business-plans/Business-Plans-Volume-05/Taxi-Service-Business-Plan.html
- ↑ https://www.sba.gov/business-guide/plan-your-business/fund-your-business
- ↑ https://driving-tests.org/how-to-get-a-cdl-license/
- ↑ https://www.sba.gov/business-guide/launch-your-business/apply-licenses-permits
- ↑ https://www.irs.gov/businesses/small-businesses-self-employed/apply-for-an-employer-identification-number-ein-online
- ↑ https://bizfluent.com/how-6523812-start-one-man-taxi-business.html
- ↑ https://bizfluent.com/how-5022717-advertise-taxi-business.html
- ↑ https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbescommunicationscouncil/2018/03/23/what-loyalty-program-is-right-for-your-business/#40f63e2342db
- ↑ https://www.forbes.com/sites/allbusiness/2018/03/27/10-expert-social-media-tips-to-help-your-small-business-succeed/#22e6f9ca14a1
- ↑ https://online.stmary.edu/mba/resources/8-best-practices-in-business-management
- https://business.gov.nl/starting-your-business/checklists-for-starting-a-business/checklist-for-starting-a-taxi-company/
About This Article
Article Summary
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If you enjoy managing and have experience with taxi services, starting a taxi company will be a great route for you. To start your own taxi company, first, you’ll need to register with the city so you can get a business license. You’ll also need to buy at least 1 vehicle you can modify to use as a taxi. As you expand, you can buy more vehicles for your fleet and hire other taxi drivers. Make sure that all the vehicles are registered for commercial use and every driver has a commercial driver’s license to avoid any legal trouble. Advertise the number for your taxi company in a variety of places to get the word out about your service. You could post on social media, print up some fliers, or buy an ad in the newspaper. To learn how to interview staff for your new taxi company online, read on!
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Reader Success Stories
- "This was a great, in-depth and detailed article about how to start a taxi company! It provided me with info I did not know I needed, and provided a lot of helpful questions, answers, and insights! Great site with great contributors. Thanks for the help!" ..." more
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"This was a great, in-depth and detailed article about how to start a taxi company! It provided me with info I did not know I needed, and provided a lot of helpful questions, answers, and insights! Great site with great contributors. Thanks for the help!"
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