A chauffeur is an individual employed to drive a private motor vehicle or a hired car of executive or luxury class (like a limousine). As a chauffeur you will be expected to collect and transport clients and their baggage to their desired destination. You must keep a well maintained vehicle that is clean at all times and also have plenty of patience, as being chauffeur means spending a lot of time waiting on clients.

To be a chauffeur it is important that you practice the following skills:

• have excellent driving skills and enjoy driving
• have a smart appearance
• enjoy working with people
• be polite, diplomatic and punctual
• be able to respect people's privacy and be discreet
• be calm and decisive
• be flexible and patient

There are no qualifications needed to start training as a chauffeur. However a clean driver's licence and at least several years driving experience is essential. To give yourself an advantage and more choice you may also wish to undertake some advanced driving courses (Institute of Advanced Motorists).

Some employers may have specific requirements, such as non-smoking, the ability to speak foreign languages and car maintenance knowledge.

For insurance purposes you will need to be at lest 21 years of age and have a background/history of driving e.g. taxi, police or armed forces.

Employers usually require that their drivers to have gone through rigorous training schemes and have the necessary certification. This is proof to the employee that you have had adequate training for the job and are at the level they require.

There are private training providers all over the UK offering short courses in chauffeur driving, such as RoSPA, The Sovereign Chauffeur Company and The British Chauffeurs Guild etc.

Chauffeurs/chauffeuses with at least two years' experience, or who have taken the Security Chauffeur Training, can join the British Chauffeurs Guild. It may be possible to work towards NVQ Level 2 in Road Passenger Transport (Chauffeur).

There are no fixed working patterns. The hours can be very irregular, depending on the employer. They may spend nights away from home and work early mornings, evenings, bank holidays and weekends. Temporary or part-time work is common.