Possible to earn decent money as personal driver? (Honolulu, Mililani Town: insurance, condo)

[ctmike]

Hi,

I've got a car and lots of free time, and was wondering if it might be possible to make some money serving as a driver. I was thinking of putting an ad on Craigslist offering rides to/from the airport to anywhere on the island, as well as giving possible island tours (I've got a lot of experience driving all over Oahu). Are there any legal considerations I should be aware of? I've noticed that some personal driver ads on CL use the term "donation" when referring to charges, and I wonder if this is due to some law requiring a special licence for drivers providing rides for cash (or maybe because they want to avoid having to worry about income tax). Any advice would be appreciated. Mahalo

[whtviper1]

Originally Posted by ctmike

Hi,

I've got a car and lots of free time, and was wondering if it might be possible to make some money serving as a driver. I was thinking of putting an ad on Craigslist offering rides to/from the airport to anywhere on the island, as well as giving possible island tours (I've got a lot of experience driving all over Oahu). Are there any legal considerations I should be aware of? I've noticed that some personal driver ads on CL use the term "donation" when referring to charges, and I wonder if this is due to some law requiring a special licence for drivers providing rides for cash (or maybe because they want to avoid having to worry about income tax). Any advice would be appreciated. Mahalo

It is illegal to arrange paid to/from ground transportation at Honolulu airport without a ground transportation permit.

Here is an application:

http://hawaii.gov/dot/airports/doing...rm-Amended.pdf

Gambling on craigslist as a personal driver seems sketchy at best - it just seems really risky - what about no shows? What about people you get into a dispute with?

Have you thought about applying to the taxi places (although requires a taxi license) or Chauffeurs places and try the legal route?

[wooliemonster]

Is the 10% tax on photographers just for services rendered at the airport? I wonder how all these business-specific taxes and fees get set. Some are 3.0%, some 3.5%, some 10%, etc. And the annual permit fees are all over the map.

I was also planning on doing some photographic work in Hawaii. Looks like I'll have a fun time reading all these requirements, paperwork, and obtaining $1m insurance. Annual Permit Application — Hawaii Film Office

[whtviper1]

Originally Posted by wooliemonster

Is the 10% tax on photographers just for services rendered at the airport? I wonder how all these business-specific taxes and fees get set. Some are 3.0%, some 3.5%, some 10%, etc. And the annual permit fees are all over the map.

I was also planning on doing some photographic work in Hawaii. Looks like I'll have a fun time reading all these requirements, paperwork, and obtaining $1m insurance. Annual Permit Application — Hawaii Film Office

As far as various taxes on business ventures - we have a saying here: "That's Hawaii". (I don't know if the tax is airport specific) - Hawaii though is a high tax - high regulatory state.

[wooliemonster]

I don't mind high taxes. That's the price of an equitable society. But it irritates me when specific occupations or activities are targeted for fleecing, or incumbent players get the state to erect anticompetitive barriers to entry. Anyway, it seems my main goal in life is to take threads off topic. So I'll shutup.

[ctmike]

I'd prefer not to apply to a cab company since I only plan to be on the island for about another couple months, and I would like to have the flexibility to pick and chose when and who I provide the service to. I didn't realize that you have to go through such a rigamarole in order to give rides for cash. Would I be protecting myself if I were to use the term "donation" in my ad with regard to prices I would be charging? Thanks.

[whtviper1]

Originally Posted by ctmike

I'd prefer not to apply to a cab company since I only plan to be on the island for about another couple months, and I would like to have the flexibility to pick and chose when and who I provide the service to. I didn't realize that you have to go through such a rigamarole in order to give rides for cash. Would I be protecting myself if I were to use the term "donation" in my ad with regard to prices I would be charging? Thanks.

I doubt it - the reason they make you jump thru hoops the legal way requires background checks and certain levels of insurance.

[HiloDiver]

As a customer, I'd rather go with a traditional, licensed, insured cab company than someone advertising on Craigslist that they would work for "donations".

[CyberCity]

You asked if it was "possible", yes. [But advisable? Humm, I'd say no.]

How do you plan on handling the person who has you take them on a circle-island tour, and then they decide that they don't want to "donate"? Or, the person who slips as they exit/enter your car and sues you for their medical bills (your insurance company ignore that you are running a business)? How are you going to handle paying taxes including excise on those "donations", since you are not a non-profit it will be fully taxable income?

So, I'd say that advertising to the public wouldn't work. If you had some friends or neighbor's relatives lined up, that might be a different thing.

[Manarii_HNL]

I've taken many a taxi here on the island. Short distances AND long distances.Personal use for short in town distances, but a former company used to pay for me to get to Mililani Town Ctr or golf courses in Aiea or Kailua from town each month. I took the traditional taxis, but I definately remember seeing a taxi service or car titled "1/2 price Taxi" or something to that effect.. This was about 3 years ago. I'm sure it was someones personal car with a similar idea to yours, but I never got around to researching them nor have no idea if they're still around.

I do not know the rules of picking up people or putting an ad offering "driving services". The airport is heavily regulated and I'm sure its easier to drop someone off than pick up someone. There are also shuttles that pick up and deliver that are cheaper than the taxis. Again, you should research that. When I lived in San francisco, I used to look on craigslist for "driver" and would get someone if I needed to do some multiple errands around town for some odd reason for a negotiated price. I see on Craigslist here in Honolulu ads for pick up and delivery services, moving, small hauls, people offering to pick up items from say Walmart, or errands etc. I know of a guy who has an ad for a circle island tour/travel, pick up at Waikiki hotel, drive around the island for $120 per car load. I have no idea of any legalities on that OR what he has in terms of licenses (besides a drivers license). I am ONLY reporting what I know of, and in no way condoning anything.

When i lived off Nuuanu a few years ago, when I called TheCab, I always seemed to get the driver who lived 1/2 block away from me, He'd get the dispatch, put on his slippahs, put the sign on the roof of his car and here he would come. Taxis work a lot differently here than on the mainland. I think they are all personal cars and not like Luxor or Yellow Cab on the manland with a fleet of taxis and minivans. I've been in some comfy ones and downright scary dilapidated ones. The taxi drivers from these "authorized" companies aren't necessarily honest themselves. lol. I have been on many a taxi where I knew the driver from frequency (it's a small island and the chance of you getting the same driver is high, especially if you use the same service or are taking one from Safeway to home with 4 grocery bags as many people do) the driver would turn off their meter and just say "you know what the fare is" and we'd agree what it would be ("Yeah I know what the fare is" would generally be my answer "it's $xx.00 with tip".). Not my place to judge or tell him how to do his job, or question what he was doing. I'm just trying to get from A to B. This was generally done when the fare was pretty much known and not a "hey you owe me $12 on a $7 ride).

Everybody has an opinion on legalities, in that we may not know 100% what the rules are, but moreso have an idea what they 'may' or "may not" be.. So you'll have to figure out what is legal or not or any gray areas in between. Again, not condoning anything.

It may be possible and work for you, but then again you may risk some braddah calling you up and breaking your feet for taking business away from him