All you need to know about chauffeur services
Did you know that “chauffeur” is the French word for “Stoker”? Well, now you know. The word “stoker” was used for drivers of steam locomotives such as sea vessels, railways, and automobiles. The driver had to “stoke” the engines to keep them moving.
Before electric ignition was invented, the Early gasoline/petrol-powered cars had hot tubes in their cylinder head. These tubes had to be heated to start the engine. This gave rise to the term chauffeur. Before beginning any journey, chauffeurs would prime these hot tubes. They are also responsible for maintaining the cars, including cleaning and routine maintenance.
They were skilled mechanics who could deal with punctured tyres and engine breakdowns, as both issues were highly common during that time. Only the rich could afford these cars and usually employed chauffeurs to do all the work. Nowadays, you can get even get Birmingham Airport Chauffeur Service if you need to commute to or from the airport.
The present-day chauffeurs
While the term “Chauffeur” may be used to describe any professional driver it is typically used for someone who drives an elegant vehicle such as a limousine, luxury sedan, or horse carriage.
People sometimes high chauffeurs full-time for driving their vehicles. There are also countless companies and individuals offering chauffeur services on a rental basis.
It might sound the same as hiring a taxi but it is more luxurious and entails providing special treatment to passengers. Some companies maintain an entire fleet of luxurious vehicles such as Rolls Royce, Bentley, Range Rover, Limousines, or a combination of these vehicles for providing exotic and luxurious services to their clients.
Legal requirements and training
Some countries have strict legal conditions that need to be complied with by people who want to be chauffeurs. These may vary from region to region. In many cases, permits are required, while in others some additional licenses may be needed. Companies providing chauffeur services often provide specific training to their employees.
Training may include driving techniques such as defensive driving, safety training in distressed conditions such as extreme weather, vehicle maintenance, and emergency repairs. They may also be given training for effective communication and proper etiquette to make sure they know how to behave with clients. Training can also include developing familiarity with road maps and important locations.
Trust and respect
Chauffeurs must know how to treat their clients. They are groomed to have pleasant personalities so they can leave a lasting impression. Many chauffeur services benefit from recurring customers who have had a good experience before.
Professional chauffeurs must be punctual and always give priority to commitments. They should be aware of all the best routes to different destinations. They should be discreet in their dealing with passengers and should not get personal with them. If passengers have any questions, the chauffeur should respond respectfully.
Knowledge and improvement
Chauffeurs should be dedicated to their job and should be open to acquiring new knowledge. These may include the most common foreign languages a chauffeur encounters often. Discovering better routes, and learning how to navigate using technology such as GPS, can help a chauffeur improvise in his career. He should ideally be aware of all the famous tourist spots and restaurants in the vicinity he is operating in.
Benefits of hiring professional chauffeurs
- If you are travelling by air to a particular destination for attending an important business meeting and you can’t afford to be late, you can arrange for Chauffeur Car Hire Birmingham to reach your destination on time.
- Hiring a chauffeur can be much safer than travelling through public transport if you are visiting a particular destination for the first time.
- You can visit popular landmarks, tourist spots, and restaurants with the help of a local chauffeur who is aware of all of them.
- You can be sure regarding high standards of hygiene when it comes to chauffeur-driven vehicles compared to public transport.
- You can make a lasting impression on people you are visiting by arriving in a chauffeur-driven car.
- Chauffeur services offer you unrivalled luxury which will make your trip unforgettable.
- Travel in style to your desired location.
