Dublin woman, 21, says passengers are surprised she’s a taxi driver

A young female taxi driver has revealed that people are often “surprised” to see her behind the wheel, with many assuming the 21 year old is much younger.

Abi Mar, from Blanchardstown, shared how she frequently faces a flurry of questions from baffled passengers who expect a middle-aged man when she arrives. Abi followed in her father Mihai’s footsteps and became a taxi driver 18 months ago when she was just 19 years old.

Speaking to the Irish Mirror, she said: “People would be surprised, they’d always say something when they get into the car. They’d say ‘oh it’s very rare to have a female driver’ or ‘how old are you if you don’t mind me asking? ‘ They always ask questions along those lines. Some of them don’t believe my age. Some people think I’m younger than I am.”

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She also disclosed that driving a taxi around Dublin is “way safer” than her previous job delivering takeaways for a local chip shop. She explained that most of her work now comes through apps like Free Now, Bolt, and Uber, where customer details are traceable, unlike with food orders where anyone could answer the door.

Abi continued: “I didn’t have any bad experiences as a delivery driver but it never felt very safe. I’d be dealing with cash most of the time. I’d be knocking on people’s doors at 12 or 1 o’clock in the morning. You don’t know who’s going to open that door. You don’t know if they’re going to pay you. I’d say you’re more vulnerable delivering food than you would be driving taxis.”

“Everything is your choice driving a taxi but working in the chipper you didn’t have a choice. If there was an area you didn’t want to drop off to that’s tough, you have to do it.”

Abi revealed that a few passengers have recognised her from her appearance on RTE’s First Dates. However, this isn’t the only time her personal life has been a topic of conversation while transporting people.

Abi also confessed that some men have asked for her phone number after completing a fare, while others have invited her to join them at the pub, but she simply brushes off any advances. She added: “I’ve had more women who’ve come across a bit rude towards me than I’ve had men saying anything to me. But you just get on with it, drop them off, get your money, and move on to the next customer.”

Abi has gained over 11,000 followers on TikTok since she began sharing videos about her work as a driver. To become a taxi driver, Abi had to pass an exam testing her knowledge of Dublin and disclosed that initially, only one company would insure her.

She eventually had to shell out €9,000 for her policy to cover her first year as a professional driver. Abi, who rents her taxi plate from her dad, said: “It’s a hard start but the price will go down. It does get easier.”

Abi, who left school at 15 to work on a stud farm with horses, added: “Enjoying the job you do is the most important part. I’m probably at my happiest now because I followed my heart.”

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