What is a Personal Chauffeur?
A personal chauffeur is a professional individual hired to operate luxurious automobiles and drive their passengers to various destinations. A personal chauffeur does not work as part of a company or any other business entity. They are usually independent chauffeurs who are hired by an individual, a family, a diplomat or a celebrity.
What are the Requirements to become a Personal Chauffeur?
Driver’s License: A drivers licence remains the first and foremost requirement to become a personal chauffeur. The license also needs to be a valid document. It can not be considered if it expired or maybe about to expire. This license is an assurance that you passed all driving tests and you are capable of driving different kinds of vehicles on different kinds of roads.
Age and Criminal Records Check: There is an age requirement to become a chauffeur in many locations. Most of these need you to be at least 21 years of age to work as a chauffeur. This age requirement is often due to insurance and liability considerations. Another factor considered is your criminal records or background check. This background check may also involve a look into your driving history. Having a criminal record may cause insecurity in the employers as they want to ensure that their clients’ safety and security are never compromised.
Accreditation: As a private chauffeur, accreditation is of value in some places and sometimes it may not always be mandatory. The accreditation process may also involve background checks and physical health examination. These courses often cover etiquette, safety, and driving techniques specific to chauffeuring.
What are the Skills Needed?
Great Driving Skills: This means a personal chauffeur must be able to confidently drive both automatic and manual cars and know each vehicle they are driving. A strong understanding of traffic laws and road safety is also essential when driving. As a chauffeur, you are responsible for the safety of your passengers as such, defensive driving techniques are also essential. Your passengers should feel relaxed in your car.
Customer service skills: The chauffeur field involves meeting various types of new people with different attitudes. Therefore, it is advisable to have excellent customer service skills, pay attention to the needs of customers, and most importantly be patient and have the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
Professional Skills: Being professional is key. This implies that treat the service as your corporate space and always present yourself neatly dressed, punctual, and maintain a high level of courtesy and discretion when interacting with clients.
Navigation Skills: Explore the radius of the area you will be working at, to stay in the know about any features of the area or its road conditions. Always have knowledge of the routes in the area and utilise GPS and navigational apps where necessary. While GPS and navigational apps can be helpful is important, deep knowledge of the area is highly essential and this can be achieved by exploring the area before operations, and connect with the locals as well as the local transport providers for insights on transportation in your area and always stay updated on new occurrences in the area.
Conclusion
While a personal chauffeur, may not be very different from other chauffeurs, a personal chauffeur is hired by a private or domestic household. The main difference between the two is the employer. As a private chauffeur, you may get to build a relationship with your employer as they are used to you running their transport errands for only them and no one else. It has its advantages for those who do not wish to drive new people everyday and it can be a fulfilling career choice for those who possess the necessary skills and qualifications. Success in this profession mainly depends on your driving skills, experience with luxurious vehicles, and also how advanced you are at strong communication and problem-solving skills. The icing on the cake is becoming more familiar with the area in which you are working. This will make you an even more valuable asset to your clients.
