Unit 3 Section 2: Becoming a taxi driver

This is the second in the series with Habib. He talks about his job, what is involved and why he is a self-employed taxi driver.

Use your listening skills to correct mistakes and answer questions. You can then read an email from Habib, answer questions and write your own email. You will also have the opportunity to discuss and voice your opinions on the ESOL Nexus website. Most of all, you will be able to learn what it’s like to be a self-employed taxi driver in the UK. Please read ‘Before you listen’ first.

Before you listen

How to get the best from the activity:

It is a good idea to have a dictionary so that you can find the meanings to new words. It is also very helpful to have a pen/pencil and notebook. You can write lists of words or phrases you have learned. You can then practise the new words/phrases. If you practise a lot, you will remember them!

Before you listen, you can choose to learn the easier way or the harder way.

The easier way:

Look at the activities before you listen.
Use a dictionary to find meanings of words you don’t understand.
Then listen to the interview.
Listen to parts of the interview separately.
Listen to the interview for as many times as you need to.
Read the transcript after you have listened.
Then do the activities.

The harder way:

Listen to the interview.
Only listen to the whole interview once.
Do the activities.

If you prefer, you can download a printable version of the activities, the answers to the activities and a transcript of the recording.

Printable Version

Answers

Transcript

Preparation

Think about this question:

Do you know anyone who is a taxi driver in the UK or another country? Are they self-employed?
What do you think you need to drive a taxi in the UK? What requirements are there?

Task 1 - listening

Now listen to the second interview with Habib. You will hear some advice and information about becoming a taxi driver in the UK.

Habib Section 2 by ESOL Nexus

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Task 2 - making questions

The next activity focuses on the questions that Habib is asked by Trudie, the interviewer. Drag and drop the correct words into the space provided. Don’t forget to use your dictionary for any words you don’t understand.

Habib Section 2 by ESOL Nexus Click on the tab below to read a transcript or download a printable transcript here.

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Task 3 - legal requirements for taxi drivers

Habib was talking about some of the requirements that he knows about for taxi driving in London.

Habib Section 2 by ESOL Nexus

According to Habib, you must have:

a clean driving licence
three years’ driving experience
a taxi with 4 or 5 doors
a car that is less than 5 years old

What other requirements do you think there are for taxi drivers?

In the activity below, other possible requirements have been added. Decide which are requirements and which are not.

After the activity, click here to check the current requirements on a UK government website, Directgov.

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Task 4 - collocations

Let’s practise some of the vocabulary we have come across in this section. Try the activity below, which focuses on words that often go together (collocations).

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Transcript

Trudie: In Afghanistan you didn’t do the same job, you had a spare parts shop, yeah. Did they have many taxi drivers in Afghanistan?

Habib: Yes, there is a lot.

Trudie: So the same kind of thing in Afghanistan?

Habib: Well it’s not, it’s different. Afghanistan has taxi driving in the family.

Trudie: OK, yeah. How long have you been a self-employed taxi driver in the UK?

Habib: In the UK it’s almost, eh, 6 years now.

Trudie: And what made you want to become a self-employed taxi driver?

Habib: Just because of my children and family, you know.

Trudie: Ah, a lot of self-employed people say this. You can work around your…

Habib: Exactly, so all hours, you know, when you want to go, when you come back home as well. You’ve got enough time for your kids as well.

Trudie: Because it’s very important, isn’t it?

Habib: Yeah.

Trudie: Now, did you receive any advice or help before becoming a self-employed taxi driver in the UK?

Habib: To be honest, no.

Trudie: So you just found out yourself?

Habib: Yes.

Trudie: OK, so what do you need to become a self-employed taxi driver?

Habib: Well you need a clean licence, I mean driving licence. Licence is at least 3 years old.

Trudie: Ah, so it has to be 3 years old, 3 years’ experience?

Habib: Yeah.

Trudie: And do you have to have a licence that was taken in the UK?

Habib: That’s right, yeah.

Trudie: Did you have a licence in Afghanistan as well?

Habib: I have a licence in Afghanistan, yeah.

Trudie: Ah, so you have to do it again here?

Habib: I have to do it again in London as well.

Trudie: Did you pass first time?

Habib: Yes, first time I passed,

Trudie: So you have to have a clean driving licence, it has to be 3 years old. Do you have your own car?

Habib: Yeah, I do.

Trudie: Does it have to be a special car? Can any car be OK?

Habib: Well, till now it was OK, but (after) this year they’re going to change it, the car must be not old more than 5 years and it must be 5 doors.

Trudie: 5 doors? So that’s 2 at the front, 2 at the back

Habib: It must be 4 or 5 doors or 7-seater. I mean, not to be 2 doors.

Trudie: Yeah, I’m with you. I suppose that’s for safety, isn’t it?

Habib: That’s the thing.

Discussion

For more information about the Driving Standards Agency (DSA) assessment for taxis, look at the Government’s Business Link website:

Don’t forget to try the other activities in this series. There is much more to learn about with Habib, have a look at the next unit:

Unit 3: Out and about with Habib

Alternatively, you could find out about Laura, a self-employed cleaner.

For more information about becoming self-employed, go to Unit 1.

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Unit 3 Section 2: Becoming a taxi driver

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