Guides for independent taxi drivers
Straight, practical answers on getting bookings, tax and expenses, licence renewals, WhatsApp and the tools worth having — written for drivers who work for themselves.
Getting bookings
Money, tax & invoicing
Licensing & compliance
Software & buying
Comparisons
Original Drivers vs Uber (for drivers)
Commission, customer ownership, control — how going direct compares to driving for an app.
Read the guide ›Best apps for independent taxi drivers 2026
The tools worth having when you work for yourself — by what job each one does.
Read the guide ›iCabbi vs Autocab vs Original Drivers
Dispatch platforms vs an independent-driver toolkit — which fits a small operator.
Read the guide ›Common questions
Which guide should I start with?
If you want more work, start with how to get taxi customers without Uber. If the money side is the problem, start with taxi driver tax and expenses. If a renewal is coming up, start with UK taxi licence renewal and then your own council's guide.
Are these guides free to read?
Yes. Every guide is free and needs no account or sign-up — you do not have to be an Original Drivers user to read them.
Do the guides cover hackney carriage as well as private hire?
Both. The guides are written for UK drivers who work for themselves, whether hackney carriage or private hire. Where the two are treated differently the guide says so, and licensing detail always varies by council — the per-council licensing guides cover local rules.
How often are the guides updated?
Each guide shows the date it was last updated at the top of the page. They are revised when rules, rates or licensing steps change rather than on a fixed schedule.