If you want the kind of job other that other professional drivers aspire to, how about being a chauffeur? It's one of the most sought-after and exclusive motoring careers on offer.
But be warned: there's a lot more to it than a sharp suit and a limousine. A good chauffeur (there is no other kind) needs excellent people skills, a talent for route planning and personal security and an encyclopaedic knowledge of the area in which he or she is driving. And on top of that, you have to be a really, really good driver - and have the qualifications to prove it.
Many professional drivers see chauffeuring as a long-term career goal and possibly a job to retire on, but if you acquire the necessary skills while you're still in the market for young driver car insurance there's nothing to stop you getting in early.
What does a chauffeur do?
Chauffeur is a French word meaning "he who heats", and has its origin in the days when cars were powered by steam. Like the stoker on a steam train, the chauffeur was the person keeping the engine hot by shovelling in fresh fuel for it to burn.
However, modern-day chauffeurs have a little more to do than just topping up the fuel tank. These days, they're committed to providing first-class private transport for a variety of paying clients, and to offering a level of customer service that's unmatched in the motoring industry.
What sets them apart from other paid drivers is the depth of their experience. Taxi drivers might know how to get to a particular club or restaurant, but a good chauffeur knows what kind of food is on the menu - and might be able to recommend a better place if you ask him.
In this respect, the chauffeur is practically doing the work of a PA for his clients as well as driving them around. This 'above and beyond' approach is a hallmark of the profession.
Am I the ideal candidate?
You may well be, if you can provide the type of first-class service described above. But besides knowing where to go and how to get there, there's a few other skills you'll need if you're going to make it as a chauffeur.
Firstly, you'll need to be very prompt, and also very patient. Don't ever keep a client waiting, but expect to be kept waiting yourself - as a matter of course.
You'll also need to be a genuine 'people person', and that means all kinds of people. Contrary to popular belief, it isn't just celebrities who call on the services of chauffeurs - but every client has to be treated like one.
Thirdly, you'll need to be of aware of your client's security at all times, and possess the necessary training to protect them in dangerous situations like a engine failure or tyre blow-out. Limousine companies stake their reputations on your performance in such circumstances.
Lastly, the ideal chauffeur loves his car like a family member. Besides keeping it spotlessly clean and shiny, you'll need enough mechanical knowledge to carry our routine checks and some maintenance work.
What qualifications do I need?
First and foremost, you'll need a full, clean driver's licence. Any blemish on your driving record will make things very hard for you, as the limousine companies can afford to pick and choose from a long list of applicants.
On top of that, an Advanced Driving Test pass will give you a definite advantage. The ADT syllabus is based on Police driver training, and among other things it will teach you how best to handle your car in an emergency situation. These skills are exactly what the limousine companies are looking for in a candidate.
Will it make me a millionaire?
Chances are slim as a regular chauffeur, but the market has lots of potential for the owners of limousine companies and the majority of them worked their way up.
Most chauffeurs can expect to earn between £12,000 and £20,000 in a year. Your on-the-job earnings will vary from client to client depending on how much they tip - so make sure those restaurant recommendations are spot on.
Further info
Visit the British Chauffeurs Guild at http://www.britishchauffeursguild.co.uk to find out more about the profession. They also offer chauffeur training courses and employment for those with guild membership.
If you're interested in the Advanced Driving Test, try the Institute of Advanced Motorists (IAM) at http://www.iam.org.uk.
Try young driver car insurance from Hoot
You'll need a substantial amount of experience and driving confidence if you're going to succeed as a chauffeur, and that means putting some serious hours in at the wheel. For that, you're going to need a great young driver car insurance policy - and it wouldn't hurt for it to be scandalously cheap, either.
Fortunately, the cheap car insurance experts at Hoot have just such a policy all lined up for you.
Our running costs are much lower than those of other motor insurance firms because we don't use any advertising and we keep as much of the business online as possible (it gets rid of the need for call centres and high street branches, which cost a fortune in rent). We then pass the savings onto you via your young driver car insurance premiums.
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