NSXNational Skills ExchangeSign in
Back to Framework

Taxi Drivers

SOC 53-3054.00Job Zone 2 · Some Preparationv.26.05

Context coveredThis framework covers the full occupational scope of licensed taxi and for-hire vehicle drivers operating in urban and suburban environments, from basic vehicle operation and customer service under supervision through fleet management, driver training, and organizational policy leadership.

Emerging
Entry / Apprentice
  1. Passenger pickup and drop-off locations — identify and navigate using GPS-based mobile location software under dispatcher guidance on urban and suburban routes.
  2. Traffic laws and local regulations — follow and apply during daily vehicle operation under direct supervisor oversight at a licensed taxi company.
  3. Vehicle pre-trip inspection checklist — complete using standard protocols to confirm safety and mechanical readiness before each shift.
  4. Fare calculation and payment processing — perform using in-vehicle metering equipment and basic office suite software under senior driver guidance.
  5. Passenger communication — conduct using clear spoken English to confirm destinations and provide basic trip information in customer-facing situations.
  6. Route options and road conditions — monitor in real time using mobile navigation software to select the most efficient path on familiar city streets.
  7. Cargo or luggage stowage in the vehicle trunk — assist with loading and securing following company orientation procedures at pickup locations.
  8. Incident and trip data — record in a database or logbook using provided data entry templates under dispatcher direction at shift end.
  9. Safety and emergency procedures — recognize and follow basic protocols when hazardous situations arise during supervised on-road training.
  10. Dispatch instructions and customer requests — listen to and interpret accurately using active listening skills during radio or app-based communication.
Developing
Mid-level / Established
  1. Passenger destinations across the full service area — navigate independently using mobile location-based services software without dispatcher assistance on routine and unfamiliar routes.
  2. Vehicle load distribution for multiple passengers and luggage — arrange to maintain balance and comfort, applying basic weight orientation principles during standard pickups.
  3. Trip records and mileage logs — maintain consistently using spreadsheet software to support compliance reporting with reduced supervisory review.
  4. Customer service interactions — manage with professionalism and cultural sensitivity during high-volume shifts at airports, hotels, and transit hubs.
  5. Mechanical irregularities and warning indicators — detect and report promptly by monitoring dashboard systems and vehicle performance during daily operations.
  6. Fare disputes and passenger complaints — resolve calmly by applying judgment and company policy during stressful in-vehicle situations.
  7. Traffic congestion and road closures — adapt routes in real time using critical thinking and up-to-date navigation data on busy metropolitan roads.
  8. Operating system and dispatch app software — use reliably to receive, accept, and complete ride assignments across multiple platform environments.
  9. Safety protocols for vulnerable passengers — apply attentively, including assistance with boarding and securing mobility devices, during community transport assignments.
  10. Shift performance data — review using provided spreadsheet reports to self-monitor on-time rates and identify recurring inefficiencies at the individual driver level.
Proficient
Senior / Expert IC
  1. Complex multi-stop and charter trip logistics — plan and execute autonomously by calculating optimal routing and timing using mapping and scheduling tools for corporate or event clients.
  2. Cargo orientation and load distribution across larger passenger vans — determine and adjust to maintain vehicle center of balance in accordance with safety standards on shared-ride assignments.
  3. Non-routine passenger situations including medical needs or difficult behavior — assess and manage independently using problem sensitivity and deductive reasoning in unpredictable field conditions.
  4. Vehicle maintenance schedules and mechanical service records — oversee and coordinate with fleet maintenance staff to ensure roadworthiness across an assigned vehicle rotation.
  5. Regulatory and public safety compliance — interpret and apply updates to licensing, insurance, and transport laws without supervisory prompting in a regulated urban taxi environment.
  6. High-stress driving scenarios including adverse weather and accident scenes — navigate safely using developed stress tolerance and operational control skills during real-time emergencies.
  7. Reading comprehension of policy documents and route updates — apply to correctly implement company procedural changes across daily operations with full autonomy.
  8. Passenger feedback and service quality metrics — analyze using database query software to identify patterns and recommend service improvements to operations management.
  9. Airport and venue staging operations — coordinate ground-level vehicle positioning and passenger flow management during large events requiring multi-driver logistics.
  10. Mentoring less-experienced drivers informally — guide on navigation strategies, customer handling, and safety practices during shared shifts or company orientation periods.
Advanced
Lead / Principal / Executive
  1. Driver safety and operations training programs — design and deliver to new employees covering safety procedures, equipment operation, and regulatory compliance at an organizational scale.
  2. Fleet dispatch and load staging procedures — establish and standardize to maximize vehicle utilization and route efficiency across the entire driver workforce.
  3. Company-wide safety and security policies — develop and enforce by integrating public safety and transportation knowledge domains into binding operational protocols.
  4. Center-of-gravity and cargo distribution standards for specialty or accessible vehicles — define and communicate to ensure all drivers apply consistent load-securing practices across the fleet.
  5. Performance and compliance data systems — oversee using database and spreadsheet software to monitor driver metrics, flag risks, and inform executive-level decisions.
  6. Regulatory relationships with municipal licensing and transport authorities — manage on behalf of the organization, representing the company's safety record and policy positions.
  7. Organizational scheduling and administration frameworks — create using office suite and management tools to optimize shift coverage, vehicle availability, and driver workload balance.
  8. Customer and personal service standards — set and institutionalize through formal policy, training materials, and web-based communication channels to define the company's service brand.
  9. Crisis response and incident command — lead during multi-vehicle accidents, severe weather events, or security incidents affecting active fleet operations across the service territory.
  10. Strategic workforce development plans — author and implement to recruit, credential, and retain qualified drivers, aligning talent pipelines with projected demand and regulatory requirements.

AI-at-Work Competency Framework

A 4-level framework describing how a worker at each mastery level uses, directs, and evaluates AI tools in this occupation. Each statement cites its evidence inline. Subscribe for $19.99/mo to read the full framework — or sign in if you have a subscription.

  1. Emerging
  2. Developing
  3. Proficient
  4. Advanced
Monthly subscription · Stripe-hosted · unlocks AI-at-Work and Pathsmith™ Durable Skills across the full library

Ten durable-skill domains mapped to four proficiency levels for this occupation. Subscribe to unlock the full Pathsmith™ Durable Skills Framework across all 1,016 occupations.

Monthly subscription · Stripe-hosted · unlocks AI-at-Work and Pathsmith™ Durable Skills across the full library
Show O*NET source anchors38 anchors · skillscrosswalk.com

O*NET enrichment · skillscrosswalk.com

Suggest an O*NET correction

Source anchors that ground each statement

Related titles
Bicycle Taxi Driver · Cab Driver · Driver · Hack Driver · Hacker · Limo Driver (Limousine Driver) · Lyft Driver · Pedicab Driver · Rickshaw Driver · Rideshare Cab Driver · Shuttle Driver · Taxi Cab Driver
RAPIDS apprenticeships
—
O*NET skills
Active ListeningMonitoringSpeakingOperations MonitoringCritical ThinkingOperation and ControlReading ComprehensionJudgment and Decision Making
Knowledge domains
English LanguagePublic Safety and SecurityTransportationCustomer and Personal ServiceMechanicalAdministration and ManagementEducation and TrainingMathematics
Abilities
Problem SensitivityOral ComprehensionNear VisionOral ExpressionFar VisionDeductive Reasoning
Work styles
DependabilityCautiousnessAttention to DetailIntegrityStress ToleranceSelf-Control
Technology
Data base user interface and query softwareMobile location based services softwareWeb page creation and editing softwareSpreadsheet softwareOffice suite softwareOperating system software
Tasks · seed anchors for statements
  1. Determine the quantity and orientation of cargo, and compute an aircraft's center of gravity.
  2. Direct ground crews in the loading, unloading, securing, or staging of aircraft cargo or baggage.
  3. Train new employees in areas such as safety procedures or equipment operation.
  4. Distribute cargo to maximize use of space.
CIP education codes
49.020849.010649.010249.010849.010551.0810

Sources: O*NET v30.2 (CC BY 4.0), SkillsCrosswalk.com, LER.me®, Anthropic Economic Index, SAFI (Jadhav & Danve, 2026), WEF Skills Taxonomy 2021, Pathsmith™ Durable Skills Framework. © 2026 EBSCOed.