Amish driving, Amish hauling, Amish taxi. Whatever name you’ve heard, YES it is a job, profession or personal business. My wife and I have been at it for more than six years now. What is it all about? Why is it a business? Is it for me? These are some of the questions I would like to address here for the curious and those looking for additional income.
Why Drive for the Amish?
The short answer is that they don’t drive vehicles for themselves. They still need to get around and many of their destinations are too far for their horses to go in a practical time with today’s living standards. Plus, they expand to other areas as their families grow.
When far away from families they require methods -as we do- to get to them. They will use busses, trains, and personal drivers, depending on the situation. My wife and I have driven a majority of the states for the Amish, as a bonus for such driving we have seen a lot of beautiful scenery we may otherwise have missed. Plus seeing a vast amount of diversified culture.
For a foodie like me, there can be a great deal of other foods to experience. Granted, not like some of the food channel experiences, but more than if I had stayed in my hometown. Adventure in travel leads to adventure in food and enjoyment among people around the world. And it can start with just helping someone else to get where they need to go.
Keep in mind, today we need to be extra cautious when traveling. Today’s pandemic has the world at a distance in experiences and we need to keep ourselves and others safe. Taking precautions and respecting the businesses we encounter can make this more enjoyable for all.
What is Amish Driving About?
It starts with making yourself available to take someone (the Amish) to their destination in a timely manner. Of course, you need a safe (and preferably clean) method of transport. We started with a full-size conversion van which carried seven passengers. Later exchanged for a 15 passenger van. As we were known among the Amish, we acquired a second 15 passenger van.
As we get calls to go to a destination and get our starting point for pick up, plans are made about who drives. According to what we have scheduled, my wife can sometimes be in opposite directions from me.
We get them to their destinations and either wait for them or get a motel to stay for the duration of their visit.
Their destination can include Dr’s visits, shopping, business meetings, weddings, or funerals. The time there varies for many reasons. So a person would need, at times, patience.
The rewards for such patience are food brought to you, inclusion in some of their activities, and even conversations that start new friendships.
Why is Amish Driving a business?
As you can imagine, it takes time to get to places and wait for things to conclude then return them home. Like a taxi service, they call and get a ride somewhere. A person who drives for the Amish may wait awhile, unlike a taxi driver. This is so that they have a ride home already waiting and not having to call someone else.
Therefore, the need for a personal driver. And they know that a person values their time, so are willing to compensate for that. However, compensation comes in many forms.
I know of a woman that takes her Amish neighbors to the store simply so she doesn’t have to shop alone. Some may trade driving for some service from the Amish. Compensated for time spent, others for the miles driven.
Whatever form of compensation, it can become a small business. One needed by the Amish.
Is it for you?
Most drivers are retired from work and want something to keep them busy. Also to have a way to go places they’ve never been. The number of years they can do this is limited. Therefore the Amish are always looking for other drivers to replace them when the time comes.
When deciding if it’s something for you to do, the first thing to consider is whether there is an Amish community near you. If there is, how do you view their presence? I have seen some very impatient drivers who have trouble with the traffic disruption caused by horse and buggy traffic on the road. Patience is required then and elsewhere around their communities. Check out some Amish communities in my neck of the woods.
Another thing to consider would be if you like time away from home.
Time in other states could keep you from home for several days. I often look at it like a working vacation -able to see and experience many things but not as fully as an actual vacation.
Driving for the Amish can be a demanding job with the increase of traffic that we continue to see. Whether you drive for local runs, long-distance (as my wife and I do), or daily take them back and forth to work, dedication to safety, patience, and dependability is a requirement. Thus, if this sounds like something for you, “safe travels”!
Now if you’re looking for extra income and this doesn’t sound like it’s for you, check out my other pages for things to try. One could be what you see here. Relating your experiences.
