Chauffeur
A chauffeur drives a car, often of high value, for an employer. They offer a more personal service than taxi driers, and can take on other duties such as taking care of their passengers and their property at all times, opening and closing the car doors for their passengers and helping them to get into and out of the car.Chauffeurs are responsible for driving safely and to a high standard. They also have to make sure that their vehicle is in good working order, and kept clean and tidy.
Employers of chauffeurs can vary; from businesses where the chauffeur may drive senior members of the organisation, to a family, where the chauffeur may take the children to school and undertake other tasks such as picking up packages and delivering items as requested by the employer. Chauffeurs may also work for limousine companies; driving a range of clientele from celebrities to party groups.
Chauffeurs can spend a lot of their time waiting for their passengers; they usually drop their 'client' off and then wait for them to be ready to depart again. They may also have to collect their clients from places such as airports and train stations.
Chauffeurs can earn around £18000 as a starting salary. This can rise up to £25000-£30000 based on experience, and also employer.
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Working environment
Chauffeurs can work quite irregular hours, which can include evenings, weekends and public holidays. They can spend a lot of their time waiting on call, but also a lot of time sitting behind the wheel of their car.Split shifts are common, giving them three or four free hours in the middle of the day. Part time contracts are widely available.
Chauffeurs may spend nights away from home. If they are working for a private household they may even be given live-in accommodation.
Chauffeurs have to lift and carry baggage and may also be required to physically assist passengers with gettting in to and out of the vehicle. They can often be required to wear a uniform or smart suit.
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Skills and interests
It is important that chauffeurs like driving and have good interpersonal skills.The msot important skills include:
- the ability to drive smoothly and safely
- a thorough understanding of road regulations
- strong communication skills
- patience and concentration
- a respectful and polite manner
- map reading and route planning skills
- a basic knowledge of vehicle maintenance.
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Entry into the role
Most chauffeurs work for limousine companies. However, there are other opening with private individuals and families, car-hire companies, business organisations, hotels and tour operators.Most chauffeurs are over the age of 21 because of the costs of insuring a vehicle for such work. There are usually no specific academic qualifications required, however a sound standard of literacy and numeracy would be expected.
Most chauffeur employers will demand that applicants have a clean driving licence, and some may even require an advanced driving qualification. Most employers will also expect that applicants have several years' driving experience.
Employers may also require applicants to be medically fit and to pass a criminal records check.
Jobs are available in every part of the country, but most work is in large towns and cities. Jobs can be advertised in the local press or through specialist driving employment agencies.
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Opportunities
As most chauffeurs are directly accountable to their employer, there are generally few prospects for promotion. Some chauffeurs can go on to manage their own executive car or limousine company.Some chauffeurs move into security or close protection work, specialising in defensive or evasive driving.
Chauffeurs can take qualifications to enhance their skills. These include:-
- Institute of Advanced Motorists' advanced driving qualification
- NVQ level 2 in road passenger vehicle driving (offered by City & Guilds, EDI and Edexcel)
- British Chauffeurs Guild Security Chauffeur Training Course
- EDI level 2 certificate in Defensive Driving
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Case Studies
TAXI & PRIVATE HIRE - chauffeur
See an interview with chauffeur Chris Constantinou (links to Jobs4U careers database)
View case study (external website)