Chris Nuiver (18) may be one of the youngest taxi drivers ever. He is doing a technical car study and is doing an internship at taxi company Van Gerwen in Zeeland. He spoke to the drivers there and became so enthusiastic that he decided to take the training course. “This doesn’t happen often.”
Since Wednesday, Chris can officially call himself a taxi driver and that is quite special. “It doesn’t happen often. I am really one of the youngest drivers.”
You must be 18 before you can take your practical exam as a taxi driver. Taxi companies usually only hire people when they have a number of years of experience or are 21 years old. “Where I work, they didn’t think it was an issue. It could all be arranged from an insurance point of view.”
The young student got into the taxi trade through his internship at the workshop of taxi company Van Gerwen in Zeeland. There he learned about the technical aspects of the car, but also spoke to the drivers. “My father is a taxi driver and advised me to take a look.”
“You’re actually some kind of psychologist.”
It soon became apparent that he wanted more of it. “You go to a lot of places,” says Chris. “Customers tell all kinds of things. You are actually a kind of psychologist. It is special that people share life stories with you so quickly.”
Or other special stories. “For example, a man recently said that he had had sex with an older and younger woman. I am really amazed that people tell me that.”
And so, at the age of 18, he decided to get his taxi pass in addition to his current education. First the young driver had to take a theory exam, and after months of practice he took the practical exam on Wednesday. “I had to drive one route by heart and two routes via navigation. Along the way I was asked questions, for example whether smoking was allowed in the taxi. You have to respond well to that while driving.”
“It’s the best part-time job besides my studies.”
Chris passed and the young taxi driver can almost get to work. “I still have to wait a little while until my taxi pass has arrived. Until then, I still have my limited taxi card. I can also drive with that, but only fixed routes for which I do not have to pay.”
Even though Chris can now pick up anyone who needs his driving skills, he is not considering quitting his studies. “It’s a really cool side job next to my school.”
In any case, his father, Rene Nuiver, is very proud of his son. “Still fantastic, such a young talent. Quite a milestone. Who knows, he might become the second Maarten Spanjer from the ‘Taxi’ program.”
