Chauffeur
Tasks & duties
Chauffeurs may do some or all of the following:
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drive a limousine or luxury vehicle
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drive passengers to their destinations
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open car doors for passengers if required
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look after passengers' luggage, sometimes checking it in at the airport
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clean and maintain their cars
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help passengers to carry their luggage
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give tours and provide a commentary to passengers
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check passengers into hotels
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escort passengers safely to their doorstep
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provide an umbrella for their passengers to use
Specialisations
Chauffeurs may specialise in driving for tourists, which involves taking passengers on sightseeing tours around the local region. Other chauffeurs may specialise in driving for business travellers.
Skills & knowledge
Chauffeurs need to have:
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excellent driving skills
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knowledge of the Road Code, defensive-driving techniques and transport regulations
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excellent knowledge of their local area and the correct routes to take
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good communication and people skills
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map-reading skills
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first aid skills
Self-employed chauffeurs need to learn chauffeur procedures from a code of ethics book. The ability to speak more than one language is also useful.
Entry requirements
To become a chauffeur you need to have held a Class 1 licence for at least two years and have a passenger (P) endorsement, which includes police clearance. You also need to pass a medical test, a driving theory test and a full licence driver's licence test.
Further information on driver licensing is available from Land Transport New Zealand, which also provide a list of Approved Courses for Occupational Drivers.
Training on the job
Chauffeurs may attend courses that teach them how to drive cars in special situations such as skid training and handling a car in a crisis. Internal training, in topics such as etiquette, may be offered by some companies. Chauffeurs may also receive first aid training.
Useful experience
Any experience working with people or driving vehicles is useful.
For more information, please refer to Career Services.
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