Most NYC Cab Drivers Are Foreign-Born

Census Analysis Shows 84 Percent of New York Yellow Cab Drivers Are Foreign-Born

NEW YORK July 7, 2004 - More than eight out of 10 of the city's cab drivers are recent immigrants, a taxi industry consultant reports, a percentage that has risen significantly in the past two decades.
An analysis of U.S. Census figures shows that 84 percent of yellow cab and limousine drivers are foreign-born, up from 64 percent in 1990 and 38 percent in 1980, according to the study issued Tuesday by consultant Bruce Schaller.

Nationwide, 38 percent were immigrants in 2000, up from 27 percent in 1990 and 8 percent in 1970, his report said.

The largest percentage of New York City cab and limo drivers, 23 percent, were from the West Indies, and 20 percent were from South Asia, which includes Pakistan, India and Bangladesh, Schaller reported.

He said most of the drivers had immigrated to the United States in the previous three to seven years.

The city requires taxi drivers to be legal residents, pass an English language proficiency test and pass a test of their knowledge of the city's geography. They also undergo a background check, drug testing and take a defensive driving course.

The Census figures account for 39,735 people who identified themselves as active drivers of yellow cabs, livery cabs and limos in New York City. Nationally, there were 230,000 such drivers in 2000, Schaller said.

Women still hold a small portion of the driving jobs, 13 percent in 2000, up from 11 percent in 1990 and 3 percent in 1960, the report said.