How to Become a Chauffeur

A chauffeur driver can find themselves in many situations where they come into contact with various celebrities and famous people. As a result this job can be seen as quite glamorous but on the other hand there can be big responsibility on you to get the passenger to where they want to go on time whatever the situation. Therefore it is not easy to become a qualified chauffeur.

Not anyone can just buy a car and start offering a chauffeur service. They need to go through a series of stages before they are given a PCO license. Along with these qualifications the driver also needs to be confident and have very good social and driving skills so that the passenger feels comfortable. The stages that you will have to go through to gain your PCO license are as follows.

Personal Information Checks - First step is gaining your private hire drivers license. There are a few requirements for this, firstly you have to be over 21 years of age but there is no upper limit on age as long as you meet the other requirements. You will also be subject to a criminal record check from the Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) before being licensed. Other information that will be looked at is your driving license which you will need to have held for at least three years.

Medical – You will have to complete a medical fitness test called Group 2 Standards in order to obtain your license. The standards are similar to those used for drivers of large heavy goods vehicles, buses and coaches. You will have to prove your medical fitness by undergoing a medical examination from your GP.

Route Planning – You do not need to pass ‘The Knowledge’ like London’s Taxi drivers as you will have time to plan your journeys before you leave but you must be able to read a map and be able to select an appropriate route. You may also have to pass a topographical test at a centre to demonstrate your skills. The things that will be involved in these topographical tests are map reading, route selection (local), route selection (intermediate), route selection (long distance) and general topography.

Once your PCO license has been gained its still not over! You then have to get the work by contacting PCO licensed private hire operator’s for work. You then either need to register and vehicles or used for from the operator’s car fleet.

To see a chauffeur services see http://www.newforestchauffeurservice.com