| Whether it's corporate or private travel, | | | | wipers work. Chauffeurs may perform routine |
| professional chauffeurs are friendly, discrete and | | | | maintenance and make minor repairs, such as |
| knowledgeable driving companions who will make | | | | changing tires or adding oil and other fluids when |
| sure your journey is both safe and comfortable, | | | | needed. If a vehicle requires a more complicated |
| arriving at your destination feeling refreshed and | | | | repair, they take it to a professional mechanic. |
| relaxed. | | | | Chauffeurs cater to passengers by providing |
| The chauffeur profession calls for a unique blend | | | | attentive customer service and paying attention |
| of driving and social skills. And yes, there's much | | | | to detail. They help riders into the car by holding |
| more to being a professional chauffeur than | | | | open doors, holding umbrellas when it is raining, |
| simply being a good driver. All chauffeurs are also | | | | and loading packages and luggage into the trunk |
| registered and inspected by the local authorities | | | | of the car. Chauffeurs may perform errands for |
| and should be fully licensed with a security check | | | | their employers such as delivering packages or |
| for your peace of mind. The vehicle owned by | | | | picking up clients arriving at airports. To ensure a |
| the chauffeur or luxury sedan company must be | | | | pleasurable ride in their limousines, many |
| legally roadworthy and fully insured. | | | | chauffeurs offer conveniences and luxuries such |
| Responsibilities for each professional chauffeur | | | | as newspapers, magazines, music, drinks, |
| may very slightly. Some of the things a good | | | | televisions, and telephones. More often these |
| chauffeur should know are etiquette skills, risk | | | | days, chauffeurs work as full-service executive |
| management, both personal and public safety | | | | assistants, acting simultaneously as driver, |
| awareness. Also, how to drive in a style that | | | | secretary and itinerary planner. |
| enhances passenger comfort, creates less stress | | | | When it comes to licensing chauffeurs, some |
| for the driver, and reduces fuel consumption and | | | | states require only a passenger endorsement on |
| vehicle wear. A typical chauffeur will cater most | | | | a driver's license; other states require only that |
| events, from large conferences to corporate road | | | | drivers be certified by their employer; while |
| shows, from airport transfers to shopping trips | | | | others require a Commercial Driver's License with |
| and days out to weddings. | | | | a passenger endorsement. While states set |
| A professional chauffeur should also know | | | | licensing requirements, local regulatory bodies |
| advanced driving techniques, including the | | | | usually set other terms and conditions. These |
| recognition and perception of hazards, such as | | | | often include requirements for training, which |
| coping with a wide range of road surfaces and | | | | varies greatly. |
| weather conditions; as well as have an | | | | Some localities require new drivers to enroll in |
| understanding of modern vehicle dynamics, | | | | training programs consisting of up to 80 hours of |
| including skid awareness and dynamic systems. He | | | | classroom instruction before they are allowed to |
| or she should also know how to plan a route for | | | | work. To qualify through either an exam or a |
| comfort, efficiency and safety. | | | | training program, applicants must know local |
| Professional chauffeurs operate a variety of | | | | geography, motor vehicle laws, safe driving |
| vehicles that include limousines or luxury sedans, | | | | practices, and relevant regulations and display |
| vans, and private cars for limousine companies, | | | | some aptitude for customer service. |
| private businesses, government agencies, and | | | | Other localities require an English proficiency test, |
| wealthy individuals. Chauffeur service differs from | | | | usually in the form of listening comprehension; |
| taxi service in that all trips are prearranged. Many | | | | applicants who do not pass the English exam |
| chauffeurs transport customers in large vans | | | | must take an English course in addition to any |
| between hotels and airports, as well as bus or | | | | formal driving programs. Some classroom |
| train terminals. Others drive luxury automobiles, | | | | instruction includes route management, map |
| such as sedans or black cars, to business events, | | | | reading, and service for passengers with |
| entertainment venues, and social events. Still | | | | disabilities. |
| others provide full-time personal transportation for | | | | Many luxury sedan or limo companies sponsor |
| wealthy families and private companies. | | | | applicants, giving them a temporary permit that |
| At the beginning of the workday, chauffeurs | | | | allows them to drive before they have finished |
| prepare their vehicles for use. They inspect the | | | | the training program and passed the test. Some |
| vehicle for cleanliness and, when needed, vacuum | | | | jurisdictions, such as New York City, have |
| the interior and wash the exterior body, windows, | | | | discontinued this practice and now require driver |
| and mirrors. They check fuel and oil levels, and | | | | applicants to complete the licensing process |
| make sure the lights, tires, brakes, and windshield | | | | before operating a taxi or limousine. |