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10 | Gazette Life | February 2026GAZETTE | INTERVIEWTAXI!Taxis are a vital part of Lanzarote%u2019s tourist industry, and while the island%u2019s cabbies generally enjoy an excellent reputation, there are growing concerns about queues, lack of coverage in certain areas and the complicated relationship between the island%u2019s municipal taxi services. We interviewed T%u00edas taxi driver Nabil Zdah, who has been driving taxis on Lanzarote for 16 years, about his work and the issues affecting the sector.Nabil, how many hours do you usually work?Drivers like me usually do 12-hour shifts, five days a week. It%u2019s hard work. Are you an employee?No, we%u2019re autonomos (self-employed). Each taxi is a small business in itself. How do you get the job? There are only so many licences for each council area, and you have to wait until one is available. There%u2019s a written exam, and various other requirements to fulfil. The car must also be in good order, and that can cause problems.Why?Because the ITV test and the metering adjustments can%u2019t be done on this island. A taxi%u2019s ITV certificate has to be renewed every year, and the meters need to be checked and revised- that means taking the car to Las Palmas on the ferry. Once you%u2019re there you need to have the metering adjusted then request an ITV test. I was lucky last time %u2013 it only took a couple of days, but that%u2019s all time when you%u2019re off the road and not earning. Are there any plans to change this?Not at the moment. There are at least 20 taxis off the road at any given time because of this. What car do you drive and why?A Toyota RAV4. Cabbies usually drove Mercedes in the past but the Mercs today aren%u2019t the same as they were. The Toyota is the most reliable car, with good support in terms of breakdowns and spare parts. It%u2019s also big enough for suitcases and three people in the back. Some drivers tried Corollas, which are also great cars but a little too small. You drive all sorts of nationalities. Who are your favourites? I wouldn%u2019t say I have favourites. The Irish are the best tippers, and the British can be generous, too. Spanish, French and Italians are not so generous %u2013 sometimes you%u2019re lucky if they say %u201cKeep the change%u201d.Are drunk passengers a problem?Not really. I%u2019d say most of my passengers in the resorts are drunk in the evening and early morning, but some people handle it better than others. I%u2019ve only ever had one real problem, when a drunk passenger attacked a colleague.Do you ever have fare-dodgers?Not really. Sometimes a drunk passenger genuinely doesn%u2019t have enough money to pay, but I%u2019ll usually let them off %u2013 if I see them again, they often pay up. But you win some and you lose some. Your award-winning, family-run business.The advisers are Logic Financial Consultants are fully regulated and licensed by OpesFidelio who are a trademarked network of Aisa International, s.r.o., regulated by the Czech National Bank to act as an independent securities trader (MIFID) and as an intermediary for Insurance within the EEA. Aisa also holds licences for Supplementary Pensions Savings and Consumer Credit | The company%u2019s Identi%u0086cation number is 282 24 981 and can be found in the web app at www.cnb.cz OpesFidelio and its Trademark are certi%u0086cation marks owned by Aisa Ltd who permit the use of this Trademark in the EU.Professional, Trusted Financial AdviceGuiding you to a future of financial securityWith over 45 years experience, fully regulated Logic Financial Consultants offer clear financial advice on; %u2022 Investments %u2022 Pensions %u2022 QROPS/ QNUPS %u2022 SIPP%u00b4s %u2022 Cross Border Tax Planning %u2022 Inheritance and Succession Tax %u2022 Modelo 720 Asset Declaration.Email: info@logicfc.com www.logicfinancialconsultants.comIan Whitby DipPFS 634 706 748George Whitby DipPFS 696 513 955Joe Whitby 965 020 444Why not call for a free no-obligation consultation?Joe, Ian and George