Starting in April 2024, "Automotive Transport Industry" will be added to the specific skilled fields as a new residence status for foreign workers in Japan. This decision has led to a trend of actively hiring foreign workers in the taxi industry. In this guide, we will explain the daily routine of a taxi driver in Japan, so that foreigners aiming to work at taxi companies can envision this scenario.
About the Working Style of Taxi Drivers
The job of a taxi driver is characterized by a flexible working style. Broadly, the work schedule can be divided into three types:
Daytime shifts (from early morning to evening)
Night shifts (from evening to early morning)
Alternate-day shifts (where one works two days' worth of hours in one shift, taking the next day off. The working hours are about 20 hours. For example, work from 8 AM to 4 AM the next day, and take the following day off. There are three breaks of three hours in total throughout the working day.)
Many taxi companies adopt the "alternate-day shifts" schedule. While the hours worked in one shift are long, this schedule provides more days off, allowing time for personal life, family, and friends, making it a perfect fit for those wanting a balanced work-personal life.
Despite the three types of work schedules, a typical day's routine generally follows the outline below:
Daily Routine
1. Arriving at Work
After arriving at the assigned office, you change into the uniform provided by the company and make sure to groom yourself properly. As a taxi driver, maintaining a neat appearance is very important because it is a customer-facing job.
After that, there is a roll call for those on duty. The operations manager provides information about the day’s weather, road conditions, and important work-related notes. Once the briefing is complete, a health check and alcohol test are conducted. If you’re not feeling well or if even a small amount of alcohol is detected, you won’t be allowed to drive that day, so please be mindful of this.
If there are no issues, you receive your driver's ID from the operation manager and head to the taxi you will be driving.
2. Vehicle Inspection
To prevent accidents, a thorough vehicle inspection is conducted. You check for any issues with the indicators, brakes, headlights, battery, and engine oil.
In addition to checking the equipment, you also inspect the cleanliness of the interior. As a taxi driver, it’s important to ensure a comfortable environment for your passengers.
3. Starting the Day
After getting into the taxi, you start your shift, driving around to find passengers who wish to ride. The driving routes within the service area are left to the driver's discretion. Since the type of customers and the busy areas change depending on the time of day, it's important to learn and improve your routes daily for more efficient driving.
There are three main methods of taxi service operation which we will introduce:
Cruise Operation
Drive within the service area while looking for customers. Customers who wish to use a taxi typically signal by raising their hand on the side of the road. Taxi drivers look for and pick up these customers while driving.Standby Operation
Wait for customers near entrances of stations, airports, taxi stands, or tourist sites. Taxis line up in order, and customers are picked up sequentially from the front of the line. During busy times or locations, multiple taxis may be waiting, which can lead to long waiting times. Therefore, it is important to be mindful of potential delays.Dispatch Operation
Go to pick up customers who have booked a vehicle through phone or reservation. Dispatch instructions are sent via radio from the office, and the driver goes to the specified location to pick up the customer.
In recent years, many companies have introduced dispatch apps, increasing their usage. Customers can book taxis through these apps, and the information is instantly sent to drivers. Drivers then proceed to the location where the customer is waiting based on the received information.
4. Lunch
Long hours of driving require a lot of energy. Make sure to fill up with a good lunch to prepare for the afternoon's driving. Depending on the day's work conditions, you might not be able to take lunch at the same time every day, so try to find an opportune moment to eat when possible.
5. Rest
For alternate-day shifts, where each shift is long, a total of 3 hours of breaks is mandatory. You can choose your break times freely, but to increase your sales, it is advisable to select break periods during times when customer demand is lower.
Drivers have various ways to use their breaks, such as having meals, taking naps, or relaxing. Long hours of driving can lead to fatigue and increase the risk of accidents due to decreased attention. It is important to take breaks as needed to recover your stamina and prepare for the evening shift.
6. Returning to Base
At the end of the shift, return to the taxi company office. When returning the vehicle, make sure to fill up the fuel tank to full, considering the next driver. Upon arrival at the office, wash and inspect the taxi vehicle before concluding your shift.
Conclusion
How did you find it? Did you get a good sense of what a "day in the life of a taxi driver" is like?
The initial period after starting the job might feel challenging as you adjust, but taxi companies provide comprehensive training for foreign nationals who are new to the role. If you have any concerns or uncertainties, be proactive in asking experienced drivers for advice. Aim to become a successful and well-earning driver!