How do you tell if a chauffeur is good or great? We sought a response to the question, “What characteristics are essential in a great chauffeur?” What sets apart the best chauffeurs from the rest? Are they just exceptional butlers with cars? Or am I missing something? Is there something unique about their genes? Perhaps a number of elements are involved. Join us on the road as we attempt to reimagine the great qualities of the chauffeur.
1. SAFETY
Before anything else, safety should be a priority. Guests, drivers, and bosses all agreed that this was a key point. The success of a trip in a chauffeured vehicle should be measured in smiles rather than miles travelled. No one disagrees that faster drivers are less safe drivers. Transitioning from acceleration to deceleration would be a great chauffeur’s performance indicator. A superb chauffeur must have excellent driving skills, focus, awareness, and composure under pressure. We must priorities safety above all else.
2. PUNCTUALITY
A reliable driver never runs late. A good chauffeur has excellent organizational skills and always comes ready for everything. When transferring clients, a great chauffeur will give plenty of notice. It is considered polite to show up at the designated pickup location with plenty of time to spare. Additionally, this can be useful when the customer needs to make a quick adjustment to their schedule. Great executive chauffeur service always arrive early for a pickup, so they have time to assess traffic and plot the most efficient route, with backup options in case of delays.
3. TOPOGRAPHIC KNOWLEDGE
It is mandatory for all London chauffeurs to pass a TfL PCO topographical test. You can trust your chauffeur to take you to the best fish and chips joint in town if asked for. Which are the best possible routes to select to reach a particular destination in the shortest time (if needed) is something every chauffeur should be knowledgeable about. Another quality a chauffeur should have is a solid working relationship with the doorkeepers at all the finest establishments, like restaurants, hotels, casinos, or clubs. So getting through these places, hassle-free is a cakewalk for him and the passenger. This is where a chauffeur can get a great tip too!
4. CHARACTERISTICS
Interpersonal competence is just as essential as vehicular competence. Easygoing and self-assured are some of the qualities every passenger looks for. Someone who can keep the passenger updated on their whereabouts before the pickup and who can also brighten the passenger’s day with a grin upon meeting them is some characteristic worth mentioning. Being humble and patient while the passenger is having a tough day is what gives chauffeurs brownie points and adds to their greatness.
5. APPEARANCE
The chauffeur must maintain a professional appearance at all times for the sake of the client. The chauffeur’s appearance and the state of the car must be spotless. Possessing charisma, impeccable hygiene, and the ability to gauge conversational timing are all prerequisites for success. The “uniform” for a chauffeur is typically a suit, shirt, tie, and shiny shoes. A great chauffeur can put their best foot forward in a neat uniform at all times.
The question is, “What makes these chauffeurs so great?” Is it a matter of training, or do these people have a preternatural talent? Depending on one’s perspective, a great chauffeur can signify a variety of things. Which is why prior experience is useful. The best chauffeurs treat each task as unique as their clientele is what makes them great.
