What defines a ‘Long Shift’ for taxi drivers and how long can they work for?
TaxiPoint posed a simple question to UK taxi drivers: how long does a shift have to be before you consider it “long”? The responses were expected, but may surprise those unfamiliar with the industry.
For most drivers, 12 hours or more is seen as a typical threshold for a ‘long shift’, a length of time that would seem extreme to many outside the profession but is seen as perfectly normal within it.
The responses, however, varied based on a driver’s individual work structure, particularly whether they consider themselves “full-time” or “part-time”. For many full-time drivers, 12-hour shifts are just part of the job, with some even stretching into 14 or 16-hour marathons to make ends meet. Part-time drivers, on the other hand, might view anything over eight hours as lengthy, as they often work around other commitments or focus on peak hours to supplement other income sources.
No Legally Enforced Limits on Taxi Driver Working Hours
One aspect to the UK taxi industry is the absence of official limits on working hours for licensed taxi drivers. Unlike other professions where regulations control the length of shifts for safety reasons, UK taxi drivers have the autonomy to set their own schedules. This flexibility is, for many, a key attraction to the role, allowing drivers to adapt to the ebb and flow of demand and respond to surges during peak times.
While the flexibility of choosing working hours is appealing, it also means there’s little to stop a driver from working as long as they like. No laws specify break times or enforce maximum hours on the road. This independence has in the past sparked debate, with concerns about driver fatigue and safety risks becoming more pronounced.
The Role of Private Hire Apps and Their Restrictions
Private hire platforms such as Uber have attempted to address this by introducing shift limits for drivers using their apps. These limits generally restrict drivers from working more than 10 driving hours continuously on a single app. The restrictions are meant to prevent driver fatigue and promote safer working conditions, requiring drivers to take breaks before continuing on the platform.
However, drivers who work across multiple apps can easily bypass these limits. If one app forces a driver to log off after reaching the limit, they can simply switch to another. In practical terms, this means drivers may still work long hours by alternating between apps to maximise earnings, often working well beyond the limits intended by each platform.
Why Drivers Work Long Shifts
For many taxi drivers, working extended hours is not just a choice but a financial necessity. Rising costs, including fuel, vehicle maintenance, and licensing fees, add pressure to increase earnings through longer shifts. While fares may rise to match inflation, the increase often falls short of covering the mounting expenses drivers face, leading them to clock in for additional hours.
Long shifts can also be a response to fluctuating demand. Events, festivals, and weekend nightlife create peaks where passengers are abundant, encouraging drivers to stay on the road to capture the available fares. During these high-demand times, drivers can make as much in one night as they might in a few quieter weekday shifts.
Fatigue and Safety Concerns
The flexibility to work unlimited hours raises some concerns over driver well-being and passenger safety. Fatigue, a natural consequence of prolonged work, impacts reaction times and judgement, making longer shifts potentially dangerous. Fair tariffs for drivers allow drivers to work more normal shift patterns and durations. If the tariffs are too low they are often left working longer hours to meet their standard of living.
For now, the onus remains on taxi drivers to manage their schedules responsibly. With no legally enforced limits, the UK’s taxi drivers continue to set their own boundaries, balancing the demands of their profession with personal judgement and financial need.
