Working as a London taxi driver is rewarding and offers great flexibility, but like many jobs, it comes with challenges. What can you do to look after your health and wellbeing as a taxi driver?

As a driver, you’ll sit still for long periods of time, which can affect your health in the long term. You’ll also spend your workday in traffic, dealing with day-to-day hazards on the road.

How To Improve Wellbeing For Taxi Drivers

Stay physically active:
After sitting in a car for long periods of time, you need to stretch and exercise, to prevent stiffness and stress in your muscles and joints. Take some time to stretch or enjoy a short walk during your breaks, and join a local sports club or gym so you can play a game of football or squash on your time off.

Make sure you eat right:
A balanced diet is a big part of a healthy lifestyle. Don’t skip meals – you need to eat regularly to stay alert on the road. Try to make time to eat proper meals at home, so you’re not tempted to grab takeaways during your shift. Making healthier food choices will help with your physical and mental health.

Drink enough water:
When you’re dehydrated, it’s harder to concentrate, and this can cause you to make dangerous mistakes on the road. Dehydration can also make you feel irritable and stressed. Keep a bottle of water handy during your shift so you can stay hydrated throughout the day – and of course, be sure to take regular bathroom breaks.

Follow the daily driving limit:
Taking regular breaks isn’t just good for you; it’s legally required. Regulations like the daily driving limit are in place to help prevent drivers from becoming overtired and having accidents on the road.

The UK Government drivers’ hours regulations state that:

• You may not drive for more than 10 hours a day.
• You must rest for at least 10 hours between 2 working days.
• During a workday of 8 hours and 30 minutes, you must take at least 45 minutes’ worth of breaks, spread throughout the day.

Taxi Drivers’ Mental Health Matters

Mental health can be a big concern for London taxi drivers, who often work in heavy traffic and stressful conditions. If you’re feeling overstressed and struggling with your mental health, reach out to a professional for counselling and support.

At Addison Lee, we have measures in place to support the physical, mental and financial wellbeing of our drivers. Our rewards package includes sick pay, mental health counselling and physio support. We also provide comprehensive vehicle insurance, so our drivers can enjoy better peace of mind on the road. Find out more about becoming a taxi driver with Addison Lee.