Chauffeur/Chauffeuse

Also known as:

Driver

Introduction

Chauffeurs/chauffeuses are car drivers who drive clients to and from their destinations. Other duties may include cleaning and maintaining the vehicle and giving travel information to passengers.

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Work Activities

Chauffeurs/chauffeuses work either for private households, large companies, local or central government departments, or for private-hire firms which offer a range of driving services.

Their main duty is to pick up clients, drive them, safely and on time, to their destinations, wait for them and then take them home to their next appointment, usually in a luxury car or limousine. However, their work varies depending on the type of employer they work for.

Chauffeurs/chauffeuses in large companies may drive senior executives or guests to and from meetings, airports, railway stations or hotels. They may also show visiting VIPs tourist sites and other local points of interest.

Local or central government chauffeurs/chauffeuses may drive councillors, ministers or foreign visitors to and from various official functions.

Chauffeurs/chauffeuses in private households may have to drive their employers to appointments and social events. They may also drive their employers' children to school and take other family members to a wide variety of functions. In some private households, driving may be combined with other domestic duties like shopping or light maintenance.

Other chauffeurs/chauffeuses work for private-hire firms which hire out chauffeur driven vehicles for particular occasions such as funerals or weddings. These firms may also offer services such as limousine hire for birthday treats or anniversaries, or to take parties of people to and from sporting events or concerts.

In all cases, chauffeurs/chauffeuses' duties may include basic maintenance of the vehicle, such as cleaning or filling with petrol. Chauffeurs/chauffeuses also have to plan routes and may need to give passengers travel information.

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Personal Qualities and Skills

You will need to be an experienced driver with excellent driving skills. Practical skills, including some knowledge of basic vehicle maintenance, can be useful. You should be good at map reading and route planning.

You should be friendly, polite and helpful. It is important that you are discreet and respect clients' privacy. You must also be punctual and reliable as clients depend on you to get them to their destination on time.

You must be able to deal with emergencies and delays calmly and have a responsible attitude to clients' safety and security under all circumstances.

You must be clean, tidy and smart at all times.

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Pay and Opportunities

Earnings for chauffeurs/chauffeuses vary with the employer.

The pay rates given below are approximate.

Pay rates are in the range of £220 - £250 a week, rising to £290 - £360. Top earners can make around £480 a week.

Chauffeurs/chauffeuses usually work a basic 39-hour week. However, hours can be long and irregular, and include early starts, nights, public holidays, weekends and nights away from home. Some employers, particularly private households, may offer a live-in facility.

Employers include private individuals and families, local and central government departments, car-hire and limousine firms and large companies that provide chauffeur-driven cars for senior executives and clients. There may be other opportunities with hotels and tour operators and some chauffeurs buy their own car or limousine and apply for a Private Hire Vehicle Operator's licence.

There may be opportunities to work in other countries.

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Adult Opportunities

Age limits may apply to this occupation.

Normally, extensive experience in driving is expected. A clean, current driving licence is necessary. For some posts, employers also value a background in security work.

Applicants for a Private Hire Vehicle (PHV) licence need to be at least 21 years old and have held a full driving licence for at least one year.

To work in this job you may have to declare any criminal convictions. Certain types of conviction may prevent you from getting in. Contact Disclosure Scotland for details.

• 73% of taxi drivers and chauffeurs/chauffeuses are self-employed.
• 26% work part-time.
• 7% have flexible hours.
• 1% of employees work on a temporary basis.

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