The average person spends an average of 38,000 hours driving during their lifetime. After a while, it can become a chore that eats far too much of your valuable time.
If you commute a long way for work or have a career that requires you to run from one place to the next, you’re probably getting tired of it. So, why not hire someone to do it for you? A private driver, or chauffeur, will take the responsibility off your shoulders and get you where you need to go while ensuring your comfort with the utmost professionalism.
If you don’t know where to start, keep reading to find out what you should consider when hiring your own private driver.
The Benefits of Hiring a Private Driver
There are many ways having a private driver can benefit you. Besides not having to do the driving, you’ll be able to sit back and relax in comfort or even get some work done on the way to your destination. After all, the average commute time is 27 minutes. That’s a good amount of time to get the smaller tasks crossed off your list.
Many private driving services also offer luxury vehicles so you and/or your clients can travel in style. Some include wi-fi, snacks and beverages, your choice of music, heated seats, and more.
You won’t have to waste any time finding parking in crowded lots or traffic-filled streets, and if you decide to go out for a night on the town, you’ll already have a designated driver waiting for your call.
Having a chauffeur instead of relying on public transportation isn’t just more convenient, it’s also safer. You’ll be able to travel in private without worrying about the strangers sitting next to you.
If you’re thinking of hiring a private driver to run other members of your family to their appointments and errands, you can be sure they’ll have someone with them for their safety, especially if the driver has security training.
Private drivers are also usually trained in hospitality and professionalism, whereas almost anyone with a license can become a taxi or Uber driver. A chauffeur will be able to engage in friendly conversation or leave you to your peace and quiet, when desired.
Hiring a private driver is also the perfect solution for those who want the freedom to get out of the house but have impaired vision.
Consider Other Important Skills
You may want to hire a private driver simply to get you from one place to another, but there are other ways a chauffeur can be of service to you.
Depending on the company and/or individual driver, many chauffeurs are trained in areas such as hospitality to keep you and your clients comfortable and help carry your things. Others also have security training to keep you and your loved ones protected in public.
If you are planning on having a chauffeur drive your own car, some drivers will perform tasks for you when they’re not driving, such as taking your vehicle to get washed, detailed, and serviced.
You’ll want to check with your particular agency and driver to make sure the services they offer are suited to your needs.
Verify the Vehicle
Not all private drivers for hire or chauffeur companies provide their own vehicle. If you don’t have a car you can use, make sure the driver you choose has their own company vehicle.
It’s important to note that if the company owns the car, it should be covered under their own insurance policy. If you own the car, you may have to pay for chauffeur insurance.
Consider Your Budget
The cost for personal drivers varies widely and depends on whether you decide to hire a full-time, part-time, temporary, or even live-in chauffeur. A full- or part-time private driver will require a salary or hourly pay and would essentially be considered your employee.
However, temporary drivers base their costs off such factors as the vehicle being driven, the driving distance and gas cost, the insurance cost, and the amount of time you plan to use their services.
You’ll want to work out how much you’re willing and able to pay before getting in contact with a driver or chauffeur service.
Look Up Reviews
Nowadays, it’s important to really do your research and not take everything at face value. If the private driver or chauffeur company you’re looking into has a website, they’ll often include reviews from past clients.
These reviews are likely curated to make sure they are on the positive side, but there are other reviewing sites that are unbiased where you may find more honest reviews.
Make sure you really read the negative comments because some people have different priorities and expectations that may or may not matter for your purposes.
Set Up a Meeting
If you’ll be needing a private driver for the long term, you’ll want to make sure the person you choose is a good fit for your personality.
Consider whether you’d prefer someone who’s easy to make friendly conversation with rather than someone who stays silent and leaves you to your business, or vice versa.
It’s a good idea to set up a meet and greet to get to know the driver and make sure you and/or your family will be comfortable riding in the car with them.
Communicate Your Needs and Schedule
When you do set up meetings with your candidates, you’ll also want to discuss your schedule and needs.
Do you need someone available 24/7, like a live-in chauffeur? If not, when do you need them to be available? Make sure your schedules line up and they are capable of being available during the right hours.
It’s also important that they know exactly what you expect from them, such as helping to carry your luggage, making conversation with clients, acting as a layer of security, etc. Their prior experience and training should line up with your requirements.
Check Their Credentials
Lastly, it’s important you check your private driver’s credentials for your own safety, such as an ID/license, or even a chauffeur’s license. If they are employed by a company, they’ll likely have other documents certifying their employment.
You may also want to research whether the company they are employed by requires background checks for added peace of mind.
We hope this article has been informative and equipped you with the knowledge to find the perfect private driver for the job. Good luck and safe travels!
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