London taxi drivers, or ‘cabbies,’ can earn a very healthy living. After expenses, a full-time driver might take home between £30,000 and £50,000 a year. Some top earners, especially those working nights or airport runs, push past £60,000.
But wait—before you quit your day job, remember that number is after costs. The meter shows income, not profit. Think of it like owning a small business on wheels.
What eats into that fare?
Drivers don’t keep every pound you hand them. They pay for the black cab (which can cost £50,000+ new), hefty insurance, fuel, and the famous ‘Knowledge’ test fees. That’s before you factor in vehicle maintenance—those tires get a workout on cobblestones!
Most cabbies rent their cab, paying around £200–£400 a week just for the privilege. So their ‘take-home’ pay is the leftover treasure after the rental ship sails.
