The Difference Between Limo driver and Chauffeur

Think back to your last restaurant visit. How wasvehicle requires a more complicated repair the
the service? Was your water glass ever empty?chauffeur should take the vehicle to professional
Did you have an unreasonable waiter?  Was yourcertified mechanic. 
meal cold?Chauffeurs cater to passengers by providing
If you had good or even adequate service youattentive customer service and paying attention
will recall your meal as a pleasant or okto detail. They help riders into the car by holding
experience. You will certainly remember Badopen doors, holding umbrellas when it is raining,
service – cold food or forgotten appetizers willand loading packages and luggage into the trunk
be talked about. Great wait staff can create trulyof the car. Chauffeurs may perform errands for
memorable dining experiences. Friendly, attentivetheir employers such as delivering packages or
and one step ahead of your needs - they allowpicking up clients arriving at airports. To ensure a
you to relax and enjoy the company of yourpleasurable ride in their limousines, many
dining companions without the worry of needingchauffeurs offer conveniences and luxuries such
service.as newspapers, magazines, music, drinks,
A limousine is a limousine. It’s the service thattelevisions, and telephones. Increasingly, chauffeurs
makes all the difference. In selling a job, ourwork as full-service executive assistants,
competitors often sell the limousine as thesimultaneously acting as driver, secretary, and
sparkling feature. However, isn’t the limousineitinerary planner. If a vehicle is in need of cleaning,
just a stage where a great chauffeur performs?the good chauffeur vacuums the interior and
As an independent operator in the limousinewashes the exterior as needed. They verify
industry, you have the power to set the standardproper fuel and oil levels, as well as the working
of service higher than the minimum performancecondition of windshield wipers, tires, lights and
standard established by National Black Car.  Youbrakes. Routine maintenance and minor
are encouraged to do just that! Chauffeurs thatrepairs—including tire, oil and fluid
consistently exceed our service standards will bechanges—are often made by chauffeurs, while
rewarded with higher earnings. major repairs are usually referred to professional
Independent operators keep in mind, you maymechanics.
spend a lot of money on your limousine but youChauffeurs must provide conscientious customer
can still get a bad review for poor service.service and possess an awareness of details.
Meeting the performance standards of NationalChauffeurs hold car doors open for their
Black Car will ensure you leave an adequatepassengers—managing umbrellas in the
memory in the minds of your customers. rain—and load luggage and packages into the
Exceeding the service standards will ensure youvehicle’s trunk. Employers may request that
will become a heavily requested chauffeur andchauffeurs run specific errands, such as picking up
drive your earning to new heights.clients at airports or delivering packages.
Great chauffeurs have advanced etiquetteChauffeurs often equip their limousines with
necessary to handle special occasions. A clientconveniences and luxuries that cater passenger
expects a special occasion service to be perfectcomfort; such items may include magazines,
the first time and every time. Great chauffeursnewspapers, televisions, music, telephones and
perform these services confidently. They takedrinks. These extra items are left to your
great pride in being personal valets during thediscretion – just remember you are trying to
service and always think one step ahead increate a favorable member for your customer so
difficult situations. Great chauffeurs realize athey will ask for you again. You are encouraged
Special Occasion Service starts with the lettersto go the extra mile. Chauffeurs occasionally have
S.O.S – a cry for help. The client is saying,to load and unload heavy luggage and packages.
“Please help me achieve my expectations byDriving for long periods can be tiring and
enhancing this occasion to be a truly spectacularuncomfortable, especially in densely populated
experience I’ll remember for the rest of myurban areas. Drivers must be alert to conditions
life.”on the road, especially in heavy and congested
Great chauffeurs are the ones getting the mosttraffic or in bad weather. They must take
requests and the biggest tips. The clients youprecautions to prevent accidents and avoid
service well will remember and they will call againsudden stops, turns, and other driving maneuvers
and specifically request YOU. Great chauffeursthat would jar passengers. If you are tired let
don’t just drive limousines. In fact, they maydispatch know.  Taking yourself off the road is
take offense to being called limo drivers. Theythe right course of action if you do not feel fully
use limousines as accessories to consistentlyattentive to your surroundings.
provide superior service to go above and beyondWhat makes a chauffeur great? Here’s a
the call of duty.perfect example:
Drivers must be alert to conditions on the road,As an independent operator in the limousine
especially in heavy and congested traffic or in badindustry, you have the power to set the standard
weather. They must take precautions to preventof service higher than the minimum performance
accidents and avoid sudden stops, turns, andstandard established by National Black Car.  You
other driving maneuvers that would jarare encouraged to do just that! Chauffeurs that
passengers.consistently exceed our service standards will be
Chauffeurs operate limousines, vans, and privaterewarded with higher earnings. 
cars for limousine companies, private businesses,A great chauffeur knows how to read the
government agencies, and wealthy individuals.customer.  Does the customer want to talk or
Chauffeur service differs from taxi service in thatdoes the customer want to work quietly in the
all trips are prearranged. Many chauffeursback seat. The great chauffeur asks “What
transport customers in large vans between hotelscan I do for the traveler to help make this the
and airports, bus terminals, or train stations.perfect limo trip?” The answer could be as
Others drive luxury automobiles, such assimple as asking what type of music they want
limousines, to business events, entertainmentto hear or turning the radio off all together. Great
venues, and social events. Still others providechauffeurs are not just born. They are created.
full-time personal transportation for wealthyThe great Chauffeur starts with your mindset. As
families and private companies.the operator of a limousine company, you alone
At the beginning of the workday, you arehave the power to set the vision and set the
expected to prepare your automobiles or vansservice standard you are willing to provide to our
for use. Inspect the vehicle for cleanliness and,clients. The great chauffeur always introduces
when needed, clean the interior and wash thethemselves. The great chauffeur always opens
exterior body, windows, and mirrors (minimumthe door and loads the luggage.  The great
once per day). They check fuel and oil levels andchauffeur always addresses the customer by Mr.
make sure the lights, tires, brakes, and windshieldor Mrs and says thank you. The great chauffeur
wipers work. Chauffeurs may perform routineis always well dressed and smells clean.  The
maintenance and make minor repairs, such asgreat chauffeur always has a helping hand ready.
changing tires or adding oil and other fluids. If a