Not only must technology advance, but the ideal taxi driver must also evolve with it. Drivers are no longer summoned by radio or phone; devices have simplified even the way you book a ride. Not everyone has viewed these advances positively, but if you're going to reach the top, only those willing to change will be able to join you.
There's much more to this business than simply making a connection or being friendly with customers. It's about being able to multitask and manage stress, deliver excellent customer experiences, and much more. Therefore, whether you have an armed fleet or are just starting out and need to hire, the skills we'll discuss are essential.
Knowing how to choose according to needs
When interviewing a new driver, try to ask them precise questions to find out if they have the skills your business needs. This will help your business run more efficiently, and your new driver will be happy to be in a place where they can apply their knowledge. To help you with this, we'll tell you about these eight characteristics so you know how to guide each interview.
To be a self-sufficient and resourceful taxi driver
The foundation of a successful worker is self-sufficiency, the ability to fulfill their role even in their first week on the job. Having confidence in their abilities is a crucial step toward becoming a great driver. Drivers often have to make decisions independently and can't afford to stop the journey to wait for a response from their supervisor.
In the daily life of every taxi driver, many things can happen related to customers. For example, a customer might refuse to respect a company rule. Or, if an emergency situation arose, it's best to have someone who can resolve the issue promptly and explain the reasoning behind the action.
That I can achieve effective communication
Requiring communication skills as a hiring criterion should be a standard practice for any job or industry. This is especially true given the recent updates to taxi systems, which now allow customers to chat with drivers within the apps to communicate their trip details.
Dealing with direct customer service is no easy task; every day presents a different situation. Therefore, all fleet drivers must be able to communicate concisely, provide clear information about the service, and be easy to understand. This will prevent misunderstandings or conflicts with both customers and fleet supervisors.
Organized and focused
Being a taxi driver requires organization to maintain a clean car and meet daily targets. Drivers must be able to plan within the app, coordinate bookings, communicate with customers, review payments, and so on.
To all this work, we must add that while driving, there are thousands of external factors to consider. If it's a rainy day, you'll probably need to constantly clean the carpet inside the car, carry an umbrella, and more. Likewise, you must plan every break, refueling stop, bathroom break, and other necessary stops.
Open to new learning
With all the new and excellent digital dispatch solutions available today, it's essential to be willing to learn. It's important that your drivers know how to use the software you contract, including all its features.
Even if they're not familiar with what they're currently using, they should be able to learn. That's why ToolRides offers software that's easy to understand yet fulfills all the necessary functions. However, this needs to be clarified from the start because technology changes so rapidly that they need to be able to keep up.
Industry knowledge
It's always good to give new faces a chance at your company; however, experience is vital for balance. Drivers with years of experience can even serve as trainers. Valuing their expertise helps the company avoid having to find additional staff to train new groups.
Having worked in the same field for a long time helps you understand what to expect from the job, making the onboarding process much smoother. You'll understand what customers typically want and how to handle their personalities, increasing the likelihood of a successful outcome. Of course, if you're considering hiring someone without prior experience, make sure they're willing to learn.
Language skills or slang
Depending on the area where you typically work, you'll come into contact with different types of people, from various social classes, professions, and so on. Therefore, drivers must be able to adapt to the situation and to the person they encounter on the reservation. Of course, they must always treat everyone with the same respect, regardless of the language used.
There are cases, such as in tourist areas, especially in more well-known countries, where you have to transport people who don't speak the local language. It's not a mandatory requirement, but it would be helpful to have a driver who can speak more than one language. It's not necessary for everyone to be fluent, but if they know enough to understand the basics, your business will be better off.
Efficient recruitment
The next time you hire a new driver, keep all these characteristics in mind during the interview. Asking the right questions will help you identify the ideal candidates for your fleet and those who aren't. Present different scenarios that test each skill and see how they respond. A taxi driver should be prepared for anything, even a recruitment test.
