Carry passengers on licensed routes, hackney carriage, or contract carriage for tourism. Requires a PPV licence and driver's badge from the Transport Authority. Thousands of Jamaicans earn a living this way, from route taxis to JUTA/JCAL tourism work.
Salary Breakdown
Driver renting an owner's car on a route, paying a daily target ('cash') and keeping the rest. Earnings depend on route and hours. Indicative market estimate, not a published salary scale. This is self-employed income, not a wage: the national minimum wage applies to employees, so own-account earnings can fall below it in a slow month and rise well above it in a good one.
Estimated Take-Home Pay
Based on the midpoint of the Entry salary range ($1,100,000 JMD), after NIS, NHT, Education Tax, and PAYE.
Show deduction breakdown
- Gross (annual)
- $1,100,000 JMD
- NIS (3%)
- −$33,000 JMD
- NHT (2%)
- −$22,000 JMD
- Education Tax
- −$24,007 JMD
- PAYE Income Tax
- −$0 JMD
- Net (annual)
- $1,020,992 JMD
Estimate only — illustrative rates and thresholds, not tax advice. Confirm current figures with Tax Administration Jamaica (TAJ) and the National Insurance Scheme (NIS).
Career Path Roadmap
- 1
Get Licensed to Drive
Hold a valid driver's licence with experience. You must be 21+ to operate a public passenger vehicle.
2 - 3 years - 2
Get a PPV Driver's Badge
Apply to the Transport Authority for a PPV driver's badge: police record, medical, references, and passport photos required.
1 - 3 months - 3
Drive for an Owner
Start on a route taxi or hackney carriage renting from a vehicle owner. Learn the route economics, peak hours, and passenger service.
1 - 3 years - 4
Own Your Vehicle & Road Licence
Buy a vehicle, obtain a Certificate of Fitness, comprehensive PPV insurance, and apply for the route or hackney road licence from the Transport Authority.
1 - 2 years - 5
Expand or Go Tourism
Add vehicles and employ badged drivers, or join tourism associations (JUTA, JCAL) for airport transfers and excursions - premium, US-dollar linked earnings.
Ongoing
Required Education
- Valid driver's licence (age 21+ for PPV)
- Transport Authority PPV driver's badge
- Clean police record and medical certificate
Common Local Certifications
- PPV Driver's Badge - Transport Authority
- Route/Hackney/Contract Carriage Road Licence (vehicle)
- TPDCo Team Jamaica certification (for tourism transport)
- Defensive driving certification (advantage)
Where to Train
University of the Commonwealth Caribbean
Offers 2 programmes leading to Taxi Operator (Route / Hackney / Tourism)
Montego Bay Community College
Offers Bachelor of Science in Hospitality and Tourism Management
Northern Caribbean University
Offers Bachelor of Science in Hospitality and Tourism Management
College of Agriculture, Science and Education
Offers Associate of Science Degree in Hospitality and Tourism Management
Local Institutions Offering Programs
- Transport Authority of Jamaica - licensing body, not a training provider
- Island Traffic Authority (driver's licence) - licensing body, not a training provider
- TPDCo (tourism certification)
- Employer route: JUTA, JCAL and Maxi Tours (tourism transport operators)