How to Become a
Chauffeur
To kick off a career helping people get from point A to point B, learn how to become a chauffeur with this guide. It has all the training and salary info you need to start exploring a driving career. Once you complete your training, you can start looking for jobs by creating a driving skills-based resume or using our Resume Builder to create a customizable first draft of your chauffeur resume.
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What Does a Chauffeur Do?
A chauffeur drives people where they need to go on prearranged trips, such as to and from the airport or events. They may operate a limousine, van or private car and work for a single client or an agency that arranges specific trips for them.
Chauffeur duties vary based on the clients they work for, but all chauffeurs’ are responsible for getting clients from point A to point B while providing excellent customer service. Chauffeurs who drive a luxury car for a client, such as a politician, celebrity or business executive, may have to take on a broader range of duties, acting as driver, itinerary planner and assistant all at once.
Additional chauffeur duties and responsibilities include:
Know how to get around their city and avoid traffic.
Drive limousines, company cars, or privately owned vehicles to transport passengers.
Listen to passengers’ requests and get them where they want to go most efficiently.
Check the car for problems and do essential maintenance. Responsible for maintaining a vehicle, whether it’s privately or company-owned.
Cleanliness in a chauffeured car is crucial, so you must keep the inside and outside of the car spotless.
Respond to other client needs as requested. Depending on their job description, clients may have special requests or needs with which the chauffeur may assist.
Help load and unload luggage, plan itineraries, plan and propose alternate driving routes, and be on-call and available at all hours.
How Do You Become a Chauffeur?
The employment of chauffeurs looks very good for the next decade. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts that employment for both taxi drivers and chauffeurs may grow 13% by 2024. This will likely be due to increased corporate travel, as business travelers are some of a chauffeur’s primary clients. Consider the following “how to become a chauffeur” steps to kickstart your career:
Earn a high school diploma or GED.
Although there are no specific education requirements to become a chauffeur, many private drivers have a high school diploma.
Get your driver’s license.
A valid state driver’s license is crucial to becoming a chauffeur. A clean driving record and demonstrable driving skills are also important. Chauffeurs should also pass a state-issued vision test to hold a valid driver’s license.
Study and earn a chauffeur’s license, if needed.
Different states and local municipalities set other requirements for being a chauffeur; many require a chauffeur's license, which may require passing a written exam and a drug test.
Consider applying for a commercial driver’s license.
Suppose you’re driving a limousine transporting more than 16 passengers at a time. In that case, you’re required, by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, to have a commercial driver’s license (CDL) with a passenger (P) endorsement. You earn this by passing an additional state test of your knowledge and driving skills.
Most states’ departments of motor vehicles (DMV) offer CDLs, although their regulations and requirements may vary. Visit your state’s DMV to identify what CDL level you need to acquire and how to train and prepare for the exam.
Improve your driving qualifications with additional certifications.
Although the following certifications aren’t required by most states or hiring managers, they can be valuable skills to have, especially if you drive people in the public eye, such as politicians, CEOs or celebrities.
- Defensive driving training via the National Safety Council
- OSHA safety certification
- Passenger transportation endorsement
Apply to your first chauffeuring job.
Start your chauffeur job search by creating a well-written resume showcasing your skills and experience. For ideas to help you write your resume, look at our library of chauffeur resume samples. If you’re struggling with your first draft, try using our Resume Builder. This AI-powered tool suggests professionally written text templates and pre-written industry-specific phrasing based on your training and experience.
Chauffeur Skills
A successful chauffeur has, first and foremost, excellent customer service skills. They regularly interact with their customers and must be prepared to ensure they are satisfied with their trip. This may require patience when dealing with demanding clients or experiencing heavy traffic.
Here are some additional skills that can help a chauffeur on the clock:
Hard skills:
Soft skills:
How Much Do Chauffeurs Get Paid?
Chauffeurs may be paid a salary or an hourly wage, and their amount of wages depend on the type of driving they do. The Bureau of Labor Statistics includes Chauffeurs with Taxi Drivers, and the median annual wage for both professions is $23,510. The lowest 10 percent of Taxi Drivers and Chauffeurs earn less than $17,830, and the highest 10 percent earn more than $37,970.
Top 10 States for Chauffeur Salary
Taxi Drivers and Chauffeurs in the following states make the highest median annual wage in the U.S.
Chauffeur Resources
If you’re looking for more information on becoming a Chauffeur, here are some additional resources to help you in your career research.
On the Web
Chauffeur Driven
This website for driving professionals provides to of industry insight through a magazine, blog and newsletter.
TheChauffuer.com
Check out this website for news, car info and hints on how to become a Chauffeur.
Industry Groups
National Limousine Association
NLA is a non-profit organization dedicated to representing and furthering the interests of the luxury chauffeured ground transportation industry. NLA’s website offers upcoming events and a blog that provides an in-depth look at the industry.
Teamsters
The Teamsters is one of America’s strongest unions, with the mission to protect drivers’ interests. The website lists local chapters and has a blog.
Chauffeur Books
How to Become a Professional Security Driver
Read this book to learn not only how to be a Chauffeur, but also procedures & techniques to be an Executive-Bodyguard Driver
Tales of a New York Limo Driver
This funny and eye-opening book will give you an idea of the kinds of stories Chauffeurs will have to tell after years on the road.