In Singapore, the landscape of transportation is an ever-evolving one that thrives on constant innovation. While the government has made it a point that the city-state’s public transport system is well-connected, convenient, fast, and everything in between, the fact of the matter remains: taxi driver employment opportunities are still a vital cog of Singaporean urban mobility.
Putting the said factors into consideration, it can be said that individuals who possess a Private Hire Car Driver’s Vocational Licence (PDVL) can consider converting it to a Taxi Driver’s Vocational Licence (TDVL). By doing so, they can increase their earning potential and more.
Consequently, interested individuals should make the necessary moves to meet government requirements. The long list includes meeting eligibility criteria (at least 30 years of age, hold a valid class 3 or 3a driver’s licence), undertaking the renewal procedure, and undergoing a refresher driving course whenever necessary. This way, they can make sure that everything is settled before they start their new endeavour.
Simply put, the aforementioned move is a practical endeavour that can be beneficial in more ways than one. Read on for details.
The benefits of driving a taxi in Singapore
In general, a vast majority of taxi drivers across Singapore earn around . Consequently, an entry-level driver (about 1 to 3 years of experience) may earn approximately SGD 28,622 annually, while their senior counterparts (about 8+ years of experience may earn SGD 43,648 annually.
That’s not all. According to Salary Expert, based on their computations, the estimated salary potential of taxi drivers in Singapore may increase by 16% in the next 5 years.
Flexible Working Hours
What makes taxi driving work very much different from private hire car driver employment, is the fact that in the former, drivers have the freedom to choose the number of hours that they can work. For instance, they can choose to work less hours on any day of the week because of prior commitments and extend on certain days so as to boost their income. At the end of the day, driving a taxi is all about having the flexibility to align work hours with personal availability.
Also, as mentioned earlier, taxi driving work is indeed different from private hire car driver employment. For one, there are different licences that are required by the government through its overseeing body the Land Transport Authority (LTA). In line with this, it should be noted that TDVL and PDVL are two different valid class licences that come with varying privileges. That said, it is best to take note of them and take the necessary steps to obtain the former.
Convenient
Convenience is a little something that many taxi drivers across Singapore enjoy. This is because many companies established several servicing locations across the city-state. In addition, they are staffed by seasoned professionals, which makes dependable vehicle maintenance easier and more efficient. Because of this, a driver’s vehicle is always in tip-top condition.
In addition to all these, applying for the necessary documents or addressing procedures like converting PDVL to TDVL is also convenient thanks to the Gobusiness Licensing Portal.
Easy-to-Use Driver App
Many taxi companies employ intuitive driver apps that are meticulously developed so as to ensure that one’s earnings are enjoyed to their full potential and streamline workflow. As straightforward as it may seem, such an advantage can empower drivers to manage their schedules effectively and efficiently, and in the process, secure their income stream.
Exclusive Fuel Discounts & Benefits
A significant number of taxi companies recognize the importance for taxi drivers across Singapore to maximise their earnings. For this reason, they partner with different petroleum companies so that drivers can enjoy exclusive discounts that are complemented by appealing sign-on as well as completion bonuses that can further bolster the profitability of their drivers.
Furthermore, some even have in-house petroleum pumps that allow their drivers to enjoy even greater savings as well as convenience at their facilities.
Summing up
Becoming a taxi driver in Singapore can unlock a world of possibilities when it comes to increasing one’s income stream. Plus, it also comes with a couple of extras: flexible working hours, convenience, fuel discounts, and so on.
In line with this, interested individuals should seriously consider taking the necessary steps such as taking the necessary training courses. For those who need to renew their LTA vocational licence also can enrol in a driving refresher course at NTUC LearningHub – an end-to-end training provider that delivers effective as well as efficient jobs and skills development.
