A lot of people struggle to find a job that suits them. Some find that they’re ill suited to 9-5 work; others hate the monotony of office life. The truth is, not all of us are made for the rat race, and sometimes we have to look outside of the box when it comes to choosing a career.

One avenue that can be ideal for those who enjoy variety in their lives is taxi driving. More and more people are seeking alternative employment, and this can provide the ideal solution for your grievances. Flexible and potentially profitable, with no two days the same, it offers the chance to socialise, escape from the inertia of office work, and be rewarded for the hours and effort that you put into it.

But it’s not without its complexities, and for first-time drivers, it can be very difficult to source the right car to get started with. To help you out, here’s some advice to guide your decision-making and steer you in the right direction…

Consider Your Budget

The primary aim of any employment endeavour is to generate profits, so it’s really important to consider your budget before you make a purchase. The more money you spend, the more you’ll have to make in order to breakeven, and this applies to fuel costs, maintenance charges, and insurance outlays as much as it does to the initial purchase price you pay. This means that it’s important to decide how much you want to spend per year early on, and to stick to this when you’re carrying out your search. A little research online should help you generate some price estimates for various makes and models, so work these out before you waste your time viewing cars that are never going to be suitable for your needs.

Look for Reliability

As well as requiring a car that is cheap to run and keep, you’ll also need a model that will be reliable, as without your car, you’ll have no means of making a living. Luckily, there are lots of reviews available online to help you, and these should allow you to work out which models will be best for you before you make your purchase. It’s a good idea to make a shortlist of 10-15 potentials, which you know are reliable and should come within your budget, and to look for these exclusively. This will save you a lot of time in the long run, as it provides a quick means of sorting the wheat from the chaff.

Check Out Specialist Sites

To really save yourself some time, you might also want to take a look at specialist sites like Cab Direct. The vehicles on offer on these websites will all be suitable for your purposes, which means that you don’t need to sift through pages of unsuitable motors in order to find something that will work as a taxi. You’ll also be able to get first-hand advice from the professionals if you need it, and many fledgling drivers find that this really helps to improve their overall buying experience.

If you’re looking for your perfect first taxi, then start your search today with these top tips to help you.