Many individuals are interested in becoming a limo driver because the position is a lucrative, yet stylish one. Individuals who become limo drivers meet all sorts of interesting people, work largely unsupervised, and the only heavy lifting that they do is placing someone's luggage into their trunk. They also have the ability to make a great deal of money, both from their employment with the limo company and the tips they receive for good service from individuals that have hired the limo for transport. Whether the limo driver is the employee of a limo company or an independent contractor, there are certain criteria that they must meet to become a limo driver.
Most of the criteria that must be met to become a commercial limo driver / chauffeur can be found at the local Department of Motor Vehicles. These are the minimum standards that must be met to obtain a permit to transport passengers in a limo. The actual standards required by the hiring limo company may be much more stringent.
- The requirements to become a chauffeur may differ from state to state, so it is important to determine what the requirements of your particular state may be.
- Individuals that wish to become limo drivers / chauffeurs must also undergo extensive training courses and continuing education classes to ensure that they remain in top form at all times.
- Chauffeurs are held to strict standards of conduct and must frequently undergo random drug and alcohol testing to ensure that they are not a danger to themselves and others. If a drug or alcohol test comes back as positive, the limo driver will be fired on the spot.
- A spotless driving record is very helpful in obtaining a position as a chauffeur / limo driver. Employers want to hire someone that will take good care of their vehicles and having a number of speeding tickets or traffic violations on your driving record does not indicate to the employer that you follow the rules of the road.
- The last thing the employer wants to hear is that a customer missed their flight or was late for their wedding because the chauffeur was stopped by the police for speeding or for a traffic violation. This may also result in the immediate dismissal of the limo driver from employment.