Reasons why i decide to be a TD

last SG · 2011-10-16T14:43:11+00:00

good for u. there is a taxi driver who has a PHD, is driving a taxi after his contracted was not renewed by *ASTAR. he even wrote a book on his experience as...

ericgo SG

Recently i sign up for a TVL full time course which will start on 5th of dec. A short intro abt myself.

35 this yr, married with 2 kids. Self employed running a retail biz with a partner for the last 8 yrs ( Previously was a saf regular).

Ok...why i made up my mind to be a TD, nope im not in any serious debt problem except maybe for my remaining hdb loan which i hope to clear it before i hit the big four, which i had the opportunities to do it earlier but circumstances arises and i was not able to.

When i left saf 8 yrs ago to start my biz, my mum was also diagnosed with stroke,cancer and kidney failure. My mum had since passed away last yr. Medical bills has taken quite a big toll on myself and my wife as well. Things also didnt end well after as my dad had gotten into a serious state of depression and dementia as well,his memory has gotten so bad that i had run out of option but to have dad up in a nursing home for proper care and guide.

Biz was doing well thru out the years even when my mum was teminally ill, i was lucky to be able to cover all of the medical bills which run into a six fig amount over the last 8 yrs, but it also whip away what i have save hard thruout years for my family. Yes my business is still running but not as well as before just enough to earn a megre salary for both my partner and myself, hence my decision to also go into being a TD.

I have read thru this forum and i understand being an OMO is going to be tough, i know it is but i have also decided that inspite of it i still will want to be an OMO ( wat else is more tougher than caring for my parents for the last 8yrs?) Thanks guys for reading. im just sharing my thoughts :)

Hello Kitty SG

wat is omo?

Hokkienkia SG

OMO = One man operation = no relieve driver = have his taxi for 24 hrs a day and 365 day a year.

ericgo SG

"One Man Only" also sounds good :)

Hokkienkia SG

"One Man Only" also sounds good :)

did you sign up with any taxi company for ur course?

ericgo SG

nope sign up directly with STA.

Hokkienkia SG

nope sign up directly with STA.

Full time or part time? Full time 3 weeks and part time 6 weeks.

ericgo SG

Full time course.

Hokkienkia SG

Full time course.

3 weeks course cover 5 sections.

Section 1, rules and regulation, conducted by LTA lau jiao.

Section 2, Routes & Landmark, conducted by Cabby uncle also lau jiao

Section 3, Highway code conducted by LTA lau jiao, Healthy living conducted by a lau cha bor, dun know from where but she will ask you not to eat this eat that, simple vehicle maintenance conducted by private company workshop manager, also dun know from where.

Section 4, Defense driving conducted by ex-traffic police guy

Section 5, name and location conducted by cabby lau jiao.

Rooney9 SG

u can allso go into insurance or real estate

ericgo SG

thought of it. but i prefer my choice atm. some may think differently regarding this vocation, but im not bother about how people wag their tongues abt it.

komade SG

newbie try not to go OMO..........

ericgo SG

tks komade, i understand your point. :)

Hokkienkia SG

Examination, all multiple choice questions, 2 hrs for paper 1 and 2 hrs for paper 2.

Paper 1 (2 hrs),

Section 1 Rules and Regulations, 50 questions, each questions one mark, must score 43/50 marks than consider pass this section.

Section 2 Routes & Landmarks, 30 questions, each question one marks and must score 23/30 marks than consider pass this section. Out of these 30 questions, 10 questions on landmarks, they will asked you to choose two landmarks and out of 4 landmarks, ie Ans A = landmark 1, Ans B = landmark 2, Ans C=landmark 3 and Ans D = Landmark 4. If you answer 1 landmark correct and one landmark wrong, you will not get mark for this question. Two landmarks must be correct to earn you 1 marks.

Paper 2 (2 hrs)

Section 3, Highway code 6 questions, Healthy living 2 questions, simple vehicle mainteance 2 questions. total 10 questions and you must score 6 / 10 then consider pass this section.

Section 4 , defensive driving, 20 questions, you must score 15/20 marks then consider pass this section.

Section 5, Name and locations of building, 50 questions, you must score 41/50 then consider pass this section. This section is a killer, most of them failed not because they do not know how to flip road directory and search for answer, it is not enough time to answer the question. If you think you will fail section 5 due to shortage of time, my advise to you is to fail section 3 and 4 because when you re-take, you will be given full 2 hrs. Assume you passed section 3 and 4 and failed section 5, when you re-take, you will be give 1 hr for section 5 which you may not have time to answer all questions and failed again. Some of students take 5 to 6 times before they can pass this section. This section test you on speed, do this section sibei kancheong.

ericgo SG

tks hokkienkia. appreciate ur info :)

Hokkienkia SG

tks hokkienkia. appreciate ur info :)

I pity those ah peh for section 2and 5. Section 2 to test ur memory. In class, you will be given 40 routes and 4 CDs and you must remember all of thems. Now no more taking bus to tour singapore liao. The 4 CDs will bring you all over the 40 routes. The routes ie from changi airport to furamar hotel, they will tell you which routes to take and you need to remember these routes in a sequence order. Section 2 is a bit tricky.

Gu7777g SG

When ppl made up their mind to become omo when newbie ,mostly they wont change their mind,until they on the road,they will see the diffculty,more circle line now, more and more cabs on the road,after few mths,80% throw key or quit omo.

newbie try not to go OMO..........

bowah SG

Mid 30 takes up taxi trade, not bad for taxi industry. But may I suggest that if you have any other alternative job or business to undertake than driving taxi, please go ahead and do it, since your business had taken off, see if you can expand it and make more out of it, every family, i guess got their own problem, some said it out, some keep it inside, with yr house still under loan and kids still small, if can get a working jobs, it should be better, that's my view. But if you still love driving taxi, by all means.

Just_do_it_lah SG

Many citizens took up taxis VL (and drive only at the last resort)... Once you get stucked in this industry... it is hard to get out... unless lottery luck falls on you..

So many taxis now... Taxi NO enough ?

ericgo SG

My business have been stagnate since the opening of the casino, jus enough as a salary for my partner and myself. i do not have any liabilities except my housing loan,clearing it soon would ease my mind.

i have been in business for the last 8 years, understand the difficulties of working for else one as an employee, would still prefer the freedom of making my choices and decision process as a self employed.