Even if the VTC driver has made a name for himself in the passenger transport sector, the cab driver remains a professional in demand. Indeed, the laws that have brought order to these professions have given each one a specific role, so that everyone can live in harmony. If you're planning to become a cab driver, here's what you need to know.
Essential requirements for cab drivers
Are you eligible?
Before you can hope to become a cab driver, you need to make sure you meet the necessary conditions. + You must have held a category B driving license for at least 3 years, and not have committed an offence or had your license withdrawn for drunk driving or any other serious offence. + You must be declared fit to drive by a doctor approved by the prefecture. + You must have passed the PSC1 diploma (first aid diploma) within the last 2 years. + You must have a criminal record containing no convictions incompatible with the profession of cab driver. These include driving offences, of course, but also criminal or correctional sentences of at least 6 months' imprisonment for theft, fraud, breach of trust, wilful bodily harm, sexual assault or drug offences. You may also be permanently stripped of your professional cab driver's card, or disqualified for cheating on your certificate of competence examination.
Obtaining a business card
The cab driver profession is managed by the Ministry of the Interior, which sets the rules for issuing the CCPCT (Certificat de Capacité Professionnelle du Conducteur de Taxi), which is compulsory for all drivers.
To register for the exam, you need to apply to your local prefecture.
Although it is possible to prepare for the exam on your own, it is advisable to take a training course at an approved center. Training will cost you between €2,000 and €3,000.
Once you have passed the exam, the prefecture will send you, within 3 months of your application, a professional card specifying the department(s) in which you may operate.
Note that once you've become a driver, you'll need to complete a training course every 5 years. This training lasts 16 hours and must be carried out in an approved center.
How to set up?
Get a new license
You can apply for a new cab license at the town hall of the commune in which you will be operating. To do this, you need to register on a waiting list. Registration is valid for only one year, and must be renewed if necessary. The waiting time is usually several months, or even years, to obtain your license, as the prefecture issues very few at a time.
Taking out a license
So you don't have to wait for a new license, you can buy one from a cab owner who is going out of business and giving up his or her license. The price for taking over a license can be particularly high, especially in large cities.
Please note that licenses issued since October 1, 2014 cannot be transferred or resold.
Licensee-manager
Professionals who don't have sufficient capital to take over a cab license, and don't want to wait for a new one, opt for this solution. As lessee-managers, they benefit from a vehicle and a license in exchange for a fee.
What investments are required?
Of course, the vehicle and its renewal, every 3 years or so, represent the most important investment in the cab driver's profession. However, a number of other items of equipment are compulsory for taxi drivers: - a light repeater to be fixed to the roof of the vehicle. The decree of February 13, 2009 requires the use of devices indicating from the outside whether the cab is free or running, as well as the fare being charged. - a credit card payment terminal. Law 2014-1104 of October 1, 2014 requires cab drivers to equip themselves with an Eftpos terminal.
What status should you choose?
To work as a self-employed driver under the best possible conditions, it's important to choose the right business form. While it is possible to opt for autoentrepreneur status, most self-employed cab drivers decide to set up a company. The high costs involved make the autoentrepreneur status unsuitable. If you want to set up on your own, the most suitable forms are EURL or SASU. These 2 forms allow you to later evolve into a SARL or SAS, if you wish.
Managing the cab driver business
Race revenues and prices
The price of a cab journey is determined by the hour meter (taximeter), which must be fitted to every vehicle. Prices are not free and are defined by prefectoral decree. They take into account: + the cost of picking up passengers + the cost of picking up luggage + the cost of the journey itself. There are 4 types of fare in the provinces and 3 in Paris. The price of a journey depends on the time of day, the geographical area and whether or not the day is a public holiday.
Please note: cab drivers' income can be supplemented by transporting goods or courier services, tourist transport, transport on behalf of local authorities in addition to public transport, or transport for the sick and disabled.
Daily follow-up
Cab drivers have to keep track of their revenue on a daily basis. He must control the number of journeys he makes per day. Empty runs, which absorb part of the profitability, must not exceed 40% of the mileage covered.
Becoming a cab driver can't be improvised. It's a project that needs to be carefully thought through before you take the plunge. Once you've got started, it's essential to establish a strategy to attract customers without spending too much time walking the streets. For financial management, an all-in-one solution such as the Anytime pro account is a simple and effective solution.
