Private chauffeur

Private chauffeurs transport their employers to a particular destination safely and on time. They use navigation devices to reach the destination in the shortest time possible, advise on weather and traffic conditions and comply with legal driving regulations.

The duties of a private chauffeur include, but are not limited to:

• Liaising with the company or client to determine when and where you will collect the individual.
• Ensuring that the client’s door is open as you greet them in a professional, sincere manner.
• Assisting clients with the loading and unloading of their possessions, as required.
• Adjusting the air temperature, if required by the client.
• Selecting the fastest routes based on GPS software and traffic updates, unless otherwise instructed.
• Completing collections and deliveries on behalf of the client, if requested.
• Abiding by road regulations at all times.
• Ensuring that the vehicle remains pristine and in excellent working order.
• Forecasting and responding to customers’ questions and concerns.

Private chauffeurs typically work long hours, often more than 40 per week. They may work early morning, late evening, weekends, and holidays.

Private chauffeurs’ work hours are based on client needs. Some chauffeurs must be ready to drive their clients at a moment’s notice, so they remain on call throughout the day. They may work for one employer or drive for a limousine service. Some chauffeurs are self-employed.

Private chauffeurs usually work in metropolitan areas. They spend most of their time driving, but also may do some light maintenance on their vehicles, such as cleaning the interior and exterior and checking the oil and water levels.

The following job titles also refer to private chauffeur:

personal valet
personal chauffeur
personal driver
private valet
private driver

Private chauffeurs typically do not need any formal education; however, many of these drivers have a high school diploma or equivalent.

Private chauffeurs must have a regular automobile driver’s license. States and local authorities may set additional requirements; many require taxi drivers and chauffeurs to get a taxi or limousine license. This normally requires passing a background check, testing free of drugs, and passing a written exam about regulations and local geography.

ISCO skill level is defined as a function of the complexity and range of tasks and duties to be performed in an occupation. It is measured on a scale from 1 to 4, with 1 the lowest level and 4 the highest, by considering:

• the nature of the work performed in an occupation in relation to the characteristic tasks and duties
• the level of formal education required for competent performance of the tasks and duties involved and
• the amount of informal on-the-job training and/or previous experience in a related occupation required for competent performance of these tasks and duties.

Private chauffeur is a Skill level 2 occupation.

These occupations, although different, require a lot of knowledge and skills similar to private chauffeur.

parking valet
bus driver
taxi driver
trolley bus driver
hearse driver

These occupations require some skills and knowledge of private chauffeur. They also require other skills and knowledge, but at a higher ISCO skill level, meaning these occupations are accessible from a position of private chauffeur with a significant experience and/or extensive training.

civil registrar
aeronautical information service officer
aviation safety officer
co-pilot
deck officer

This knowledge should be acquired through learning to fulfill the role of private chauffeur.

• Geographic areas: Know the geographic area in detail; know where different organisations carry out operations.
• Road traffic laws: Understand road traffic laws and the rules of the road.
• Mechanical components of vehicles: Know the mechanical components used in vehicles and identify and resolve potential malfunctions.
• Health and safety measures in transportation: The body of rules, procedures and regulations related to health and safety measures intended to prevent accidents or incidents in transportation.
• Effective perception of transport environment: Know the local transport topography, including roads, traffic hotspots, and alternative routes to reach a destination. Use knowledge to transport the vehicle to its destination in the most time and fuel efficient manner, and minimising safety risks.
• Passenger transport regulations: Have knowledge of passenger transport conventions and regulations.

These skills are necessary for the role of private chauffeur.

• Focus on passengers: Transport passengers to their destination in a safe and timely fashion. Provide appropriate customer service; inform passengers in the event of unexpected situations or other incidents.
• Communicate with customers: Respond to and communicate with customers in the most efficient and appropriate manner to enable them to access the desired products or services, or any other help they may require.
• Maintain personal hygiene standards: Preserve impeccable personal hygiene standards and have a tidy appearance.
• Control the performance of the vehicle: Understand and anticipate the performance and behaviour of a vehicle. Comprehend concepts such as lateral stability, acceleration, and braking distance.
• Drive in urban areas: Drive vehicles in urban areas. Interpret and understand transit signs in a city, the regulation of traffic, and the related common automobility agreements in an urban area.
• Drive vehicles: Be able to drive vehicles; have the appropriate type of driving license according to the type of motor vehicle used.
• Read maps: Read maps effectively.
• Maintain vehicle appearance: Maintain vehicle appearance by washing, cleaning and performing minor adjustments and repairs.
• Tolerate sitting for long periods: Have the patience to remain seated for long periods of time; maintain an appropriate and ergonomic posture while sitting.
• Work in shifts: Work in rotating shifts, where the goal is to keep a service or production line running around the clock and each day of the week.
• Ensure vehicle operability: Keep the vehicle clean and in roadworthy condition. Ensure regular maintenance of the vehicle and provide valid official documents such as licenses and permits where appropriate.
• Provide private transport services: Perform private transport services ensuring compliance with all applicable requirements. Ensure that consideration is given to the performance of this work with the aim of providing the best possible service to clients.
• Assist passengers: Provide help to people getting in and out of their car or any other transportation vehicle, by opening doors, provide physical support or hold belongings.
• Tend to passenger belongings: Handle passenger belongings; assist elderly or physically challenged travellers by carrying their luggage.
• Operate gps systems: Use GPS Systems.
• Lift heavy weights: Lift heavy weights and apply ergonomic lifting techniques to avoid damaging the body.
• Interpret traffic signals: Observe lights on the road, road conditions, nearby traffic, and prescribed speed limits to ensure safety. Interpret traffic signals and act accordingly.
• Park vehicles: Park motorised vehicles without compromising the integrity of vehicles and safety of people.
• Follow verbal instructions: Have the ability to follow spoken instructions received from colleagues. Strive to understand and clarify what is being requested.
• Perform defensive driving: Drive defensively to maximise road safety and save time, money, and lives; anticipate the actions of other road users.

This knowledge is sometimes, but not always, required for the role of private chauffeur. However, mastering this knowledge allows you to have more opportunities for career development.

• Transportation methods: Knowledge of principles and methods for moving people or goods by air, rail, sea, or road, including the relative costs and optimal work strategies.
• Local geography: The range of physical and geographical properties and descriptions of a local area, by street names and not only.

These skills and competences are sometimes, but not always, required for the role of private chauffeur. However, mastering these skills and competences allows you to have more opportunities for career development.

• Operate radio equipment: Set up and operate radio devices and accessories, such as broadcast consoles, amplifiers, and microphones. Understand the basics of radio operator language and, when necessary, provide instruction in handling radio equipment correctly.
• Drive automatic car: Drive a vehicle operated under an automatic, or self-shifting, transmission system safely and according to regulations.
• Execute vehicle maintenance: Execute vehicle maintenance based on supplier or manufacturer instructions. This might include cleaning vehicle engine, cleaning vehicle interior and exterior, maintaining mileage and fuel records, performing non-mechanical maintenance tasks. Service small engines including hydraulic equipment. Check the oil and fluid levels on all equipment. Check vehicles and equipment to ensure that they are in smooth and safe working order.
• Provide first aid: Administer cardiopulmonary resuscitation or first aid in order to provide help to a sick or injured person until they receive more complete medical treatment.
• Demonstrate professional attitude to clients: Demonstrate responsibility and professional duty of care to clients which will include communication skills and a focus of customer care orientation.
• Stay alert: Stay focused and alert at all times; react quickly in the case of unexpected events. Concentrate and do not get distracted performing a task over a long period of time.
• Maintain concentration for long periods: Stay concentrated over a long period of time in order to make correct judgements and appropriate decisions.
• Analyse ways to reduce travel time: Analyse prospective improvements in journey efficiency through reduction of travel time by modifying itineraries and outlining alternatives.
• Tolerate stress: Maintain a temperate mental state and effective performance under pressure or adverse circumstances.
• Wash vehicles: Wash and dry vehicle and ensure that paint is kept intact by waxing and polishing vehicle using the appropriate tools.
• Clean vehicle interiors: Remove dirt, rubbish or impurities of the interior of vehicles, including consoles and dashboards; vacuum car seats and carpets; clean hinges and door trims.
• Handle delivered packages: Administer delivered packages and ensure that they all reach their destination in time.
• Perform services in a flexible manner: Adapt service approach when circumstances change.
• Assist disabled passengers: Use appropriate safety procedures to operate lifts and secure wheelchairs and other assistive devices while assisting physically disabled travellers.
• Make reservations: Book restaurants, hotels or flights.

8322 – Car, taxi and van drivers

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References

1. Private chauffeur – ESCO
2. Passenger Vehicle Drivers : Occupational Outlook Handbook – U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
3. Chauffeur Job Description – Betterteam
4. Chauffeur Job Description: Salary, Duties, & More – ClimbtheLadder
5. Featured image: By James Rosie – Flickr, CC BY 2.0