Garda Vetting

[Dub1992]

I am 30 and want to apply for a PSV license. Am working where I am now but not that happy and other reasons for wanting to do it too.

I have a clear driving license (few points before but gone now) good work history and can get the references but am worried about the Garda vetting. I was in trouble when I was younger and got a 9 month sentence and served that. Normally with that sentence it would be spent after 7 years but not for applying for PSV. That’s 10 years ago now and am a different person. I got one other public order conviction in 2019 and a fine but nothing else.

I know I have to declare everything but if anybody knows about this am I wasting my time in applying? It has stopped me getting other jobs over the years but it’s 10 years now.

[John m]

Garda vetting is not that severe .Unless you were done for sex crimes or Murder you should be Ok .

Let me give you a bit of advice DO NOT BECOME A TAXI DRIVER .It is not a great job for young men .Terrible Hours and you would have no chance of making a living without using an app .You pay them 15% of your takings .Your insurance will be high .YOU cannot buy a TAXI licence you will need to rent one or get a Wheelchair Van .You would be better off driving a Bus or Truck .In reality you will start out paying about 60to 70% of your earnings in costs ,Rent or buy a Vehicle ,Insurance ,Fuel ,Comission to Apps .Do this simple exercise .Go to Dublin City mid week .Heuston ,Aston Quay ,Stephens green .Take the time of the last car on the rank and see how long it takes him to get to the front of the que .Most Dublin day time jobs are under 15 Euros now take 60% off that out in costs that leaves you earning about 6 yes six euro an hour .

[Horse]

I was in a similar situation when I was applying.  As far as I know its only previous convictions for certain offences will affect your application.  Anything to do with firearms or drugs and that could severally affect it. Any sex convictions is a no no too. I had to go to Dublin Castle and get interviewed by 3 gards who then decided my fate. I got it though and that was 17 years ago. Best of luck.

[Punter]

John M is correct --take a job with the PSV -4 weeks paid holidays,bank holidays etc---be a coach or minibus driver where you have chance of a few nixers--otherwise you'll end up overweight-- alcoholic --gambler--divorced--your choice !

[Cool Boola]

I only became a taxi driver cos I could not get another job. That was in the early 00s when you could make a few bob. Dont consider it now, unless you have no choice?

[Dub1992]

Garda vetting is not that severe .Unless you were done for sex crimes or Murder you should be Ok .

Let me give you a bit of advice DO NOT BECOME A TAXI DRIVER .It is not a great job for young men .Terrible Hours and you would have no chance of making a living without using an app .You pay them 15% of your takings .Your insurance will be high .YOU cannot buy a TAXI licence you will need to rent one or get a Wheelchair Van .You would be better off driving a Bus or Truck .In reality you will start out paying about 60to 70% of your earnings in costs ,Rent or buy a Vehicle ,Insurance ,Fuel ,Comission to Apps .Do this simple exercise .Go to Dublin City mid week .Heuston ,Aston Quay ,Stephens green .Take the time of the last car on the rank and see how long it takes him to get to the front of the que .Most Dublin day time jobs are under 15 Euros now take 60% off that out in costs that leaves you earning about 6 yes six euro an hour .

That doesn't sound good at all. Lots to consider. Me and my partner have 2 kids and she has a better job than me so one of the main reasons was for having the option to work around her job and looking after the kid. I've done shift work so wouldn't have a problem working nights and weejends when i could be busier. Good to get  a reality check though.

[Dub1992]

I was in a similar situation when I was applying.  As far as I know its only previous convictions for certain offences will affect your application.  Anything to do with firearms or drugs and that could severally affect it. Any sex convictions is a no no too. I had to go to Dublin Castle and get interviewed by 3 gards who then decided my fate. I got it though and that was 17 years ago. Best of luck.

Got sentenced for Assault Causing Harm.  Wouldn't be looking forward to getting interviewed by Gardai again but good to know there might be a way around things if I do decide to apply

[Taxi driver42]

John M is correct --take a job with the PSV -4 weeks paid holidays,bank holidays etc---be a coach or minibus driver where you have chance of a few nixers--otherwise you'll end up overweight-- alcoholic --gambler--divorced--your choice !

Divorce is great I highly recommend it
Also I'm just back from Vegas
I don't drink alot though sorry

[Taxi driver42]

I was in a similar situation when I was applying.  As far as I know its only previous convictions for certain offences will affect your application.  Anything to do with firearms or drugs and that could severally affect it. Any sex convictions is a no no too. I had to go to Dublin Castle and get interviewed by 3 gards who then decided my fate. I got it though and that was 17 years ago. Best of luck.

Got sentenced for Assault Causing Harm.  Wouldn't be looking forward to getting interviewed by Gardai again but good to know there might be a way around things if I do decide to apply

I'd say u won't have a problem it's not sex or drugs

[Punter]

Better still go and ask Ebbs to rent a car "all in " that will put reality to the plan !

[silverbullet]

Hi Dub 92, Welcome to the forum. I'd be different from others on the forum and would advise you to go ahead and get your PSV licence.

Everyone deserves a second chance. Ask Free now how to become a taxi driver [for them ostensibly].

https://www.free-now.com/ie/drive/

Avoid renting as you'll only end up paying the cab owner's mortgage, and rarely seeing your family.

Come back to us when you have that piece of paper and we'll take it from there.

And remember, you'll rarely get TWO taxi drivers to agree on ANYTHING.

Watch this space and the best of luck.

[watty]

I'd echo what JohnM saysw above.  Go into town some afternoon, grab a coffee, and pretend you're the last car on a rank and wait there until 'your car' gets to the top of the rank.  That's your future life!  Lots of waiting...

It's also worth mentioning that they're testing driverless taxis in America and China as we speak.  It's only a matter of years before they become commonplace in America, at least.  Europe might take a bit longer.  You're only 30 and I can't see human taxi driving still existing in 30 years when you're 60.

Also, you've 2 kids so stay PAYE as long as you can to get all the benefits of the Social Welfare system.  Once you go self-employed, you'll lose a good bit of it.

[Octavia1]

Rent .....do not invest . Have a go and walk away if it doesn't work out ....DONT take out loans now  when the world is facing so much  uncertainty on so many levels .
The most important question is ....
Does your partner love an support ya  enough to permit you to fail and start all over again from nothing ?

[silverbullet]

A few people who get the sPSV end up driving for Vantastic and find it very rewarding, plus it's day work only.

[John m]

Garda vetting is not that severe .Unless you were done for sex crimes or Murder you should be Ok .

Let me give you a bit of advice DO NOT BECOME A TAXI DRIVER .It is not a great job for young men .Terrible Hours and you would have no chance of making a living without using an app .You pay them 15% of your takings .Your insurance will be high .YOU cannot buy a TAXI licence you will need to rent one or get a Wheelchair Van .You would be better off driving a Bus or Truck .In reality you will start out paying about 60to 70% of your earnings in costs ,Rent or buy a Vehicle ,Insurance ,Fuel ,Comission to Apps .Do this simple exercise .Go to Dublin City mid week .Heuston ,Aston Quay ,Stephens green .Take the time of the last car on the rank and see how long it takes him to get to the front of the que .Most Dublin day time jobs are under 15 Euros now take 60% off that out in costs that leaves you earning about 6 yes six euro an hour .

That doesn't sound good at all. Lots to consider. Me and my partner have 2 kids and she has a better job than me so one of the main reasons was for having the option to work around her job and looking after the kid. I've done shift work so wouldn't have a problem working nights and weejends when i could be busier. Good to get  a reality check though.

I Dont usually do this but I am going to read your head .If your Hen is a good earner embrace that its not a challenge .If you are a good father to your children while she works then you are a good parent and Husband .I see where you are coming from a taxi allows you work when you have time but the costs out weigh the reward if you are part time you need a PAYE full time job to offset the costs .Look at Crafts .Make Clocks or Concrete Statues for Gardens or Wodden Garden Furniture .

here is something nobody will tell you but NOBODY on here will disagree .When you start you get a hard on Cash in your pocket every day unlike a job with wages by the week or month .You convince yourself you are making coin but that coin has to pay Her ,your costs and then you realize you are doing 70 hours a week .Then you get the Knock fed up no life and then the shit hits the fan .You have been bribing her with extra coin fo compensate for never been there and the Kids hit you for Guilt Coin .Then the whole lot falls apart if you are not carefull .Read this forum You are dealing with Idiots Genisus and genuine fucktards .This is probably the most Honest Group of people on the Internet .None of us Lie to impress anybody we dont give a fuck .