If you enjoy driving, there are various types of service businesses that you can start based on providing driving services. Here are a couple of ideas.

START YOUR OWN MEDICAL TRANSPORTATION SERVICE

A non-emergency medical transportation service provides transportation services to the elderly and disabled. The people that need this service are often wheelchair-bound. Disabled people may need transportation to and from medical appointments. Elderly people may have stopped driving due to deteriorating vision or coordination problems, and they may need transportation not just to medical appointments, but to the grocery store or the pharmacy.  If there is no medical transportation service in your community, an elderly person may call an ambulance to get to medical appointments, and they will be charged an inflated price, because they are paying for equipment and training that they don’t need.

If you are interested in starting this type of business, the first thing you need to decide is whether your service will accommodate people that are wheelchair-bound. If so, you will need to have a wheelchair van, which will mean a higher startup cost.  Transportation of the disabled to medical appointments is covered by some insurance providers. Talk to some insurance providers to find out what is involved in offering services to people who are covered by insurance.  You may be able to obtain plenty of work just by getting referrals from local hospitals or nursing homes.

You can choose to limit your transportation service to elderly people who need to do simple errands, which would not require special equipment. Elderly people may want transportation to do errands such as groceries, going to the hairdresser, going to visit friends, or traveling to the airport. Some elderly people are very attached to their pets and need help getting their pets to and from the veterinarian.

START A PRIVATE DRIVING SERVICE

There are many people who do not want to risk a DUI, but cannot afford the cost of using a limo service to and from parties or other social events.   Driving clients to and from these occasions, in their own vehicle, is a feasible proposition as a part-time or full time business.   Last year we made use of such a service, the driver had advertised his services in the local classified ads.   We fortunately own a Honda Odyssey and split the cost of $180.00 between three couples.   The result was a safe, happy and reasonably priced outing.

Whatever type of driving service you wish to start, begin advertising your services in local newspapers, bulletin boards, or with a magnetic sign on your car. Once you get a few clients, your business will begin to grow through word of mouth. Be sure to pay attention to all the expenses involved, including gas, maintenance and insurance, and price your jobs accordingly.  Knowing you are helping people who may not be able to provide their own transportation will make this a very satisfying career choice.