How to Become a Limo Driver or Chauffeur
Are you looking for a job where you’re always in the driver’s seat? Being a limo driver or chauffeur is about more than getting passengers from point A to point B. As a limo driver or chauffeur, you provide passengers with an unforgettable and personalized luxury travel experience not typically offered by a taxi or rideshare service. In this article, Monster will help you navigate your route to a rewarding job as a driver.
There are many benefits to being a limo driver or chauffeur. It gives you the opportunity to travel and sometimes meet public figures and other famous people. Plus, you can earn decent money from wages and tips and enjoy job security. In fact, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) estimates a 12% increase in new passenger vehicle driver jobs over the next ten years.
When you’re ready to take the wheel of your career, read on to learn how to become a limo driver or chauffeur.
What Is a Chauffeur?
A chauffeur is a licensed transportation professional who looks after passengers while operating a motor vehicle on a planned trip. Chauffeurs typically drive luxury stretch limousines, vans, party buses, and other ground transportation vehicles such as a Rolls-Royce or Mercedes-Benz.
What Is a Chauffeur vs. a Driver?
Drivers (such as taxi, rideshare, and delivery drivers) transport passengers and items from one place to another. However, not all drivers are chauffeur. For example, drivers of small limos, who carry fewer than 10 passengers, aren’t always considered chauffeurs. To transport 14 or more passengers, federal laws (and most state laws) require stretch limo drivers to have a chauffeur license.
In addition to driving, chauffeurs offer more personalized services by opening doors, carrying luggage, and providing customer service to their passengers.
Chauffeurs typically provide transportation services to:
- Hotel and resort guests.
- Celebrities.
- Public officials.
- People attending business events.
- Wedding parties.
- Passengers attending special events.
Chauffeurs also possess skills and qualities that many other drivers don’t have. That includes:
- Commitment to customer service.
- The ability to plan routes and detours in advance.
- In-depth knowledge of routes and cities of travel.
- Administrative and management skills.
- Self-defense and security skills.
- Vehicle repair and maintenance skills.
- First-aid skills.
How to Become a Limo Driver
There are no formal educational requirements to drive a small limousine. However, employers prefer candidates who have a high school diploma or equivalent. Small limo driver requirements vary by state. For example, Indiana requires small limo drivers to be 18 years old and have a valid driver’s license for at least one year. In Massachusetts, you must be at least 21 years old to operate a small limousine. Many states also require small limo drivers to pass a vision test and have a clean driving record.
The skills typically needed to operate a small limo include:
- Excellent customer service skills.
- Reliability and dependability.
- Patience.
- Exceptional hearing and visual abilities.
- Good hand-eye coordination.
- Safe and defensive driving skills.
Do You Need a Special License to Drive a Limo?
First, you’ll need a valid driver’s license to be eligible for a small limo license. If you plan on transporting 16 or more passengers, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) requires you to obtain a commercial driver’s license (CDL).
To get a CDL, you’ll need to follow these steps:
- Get a commercial learner’s permit (CLP), which authorizes you to practice driving on public roads during your training.
- Complete the entry-level driver training.
- Obtain your CLD by passing a three-part skills test including the Vehicle Inspection Test, Basic Controls Test, and Road Test.
CDL requirements also vary by state. For example, limo drivers in California need a CDL to transport 10 or more passengers.
How to Become a Chauffeur
If you have a high school diploma or GED, a valid driver’s license, and a clean driving record, you’ve already taken the first steps toward becoming a chauffeur or stretch limo driver. Next, you’ll need to obtain a chauffeur license with your state’s registry of motor vehicles or licensing board.
How to Get a Chauffeur License
Depending on which state you live in, a chauffeur license would be considered a class C or class E license. For example, California chauffeur licenses are considered class C, while they are class E in New York. If you only have a class D driver’s license, you’ll need obtain a CDL and pass a chauffeur’s knowledge exam issued by your state’s registry of motor vehicles.
Before pursuing a chauffeur license, check your state’s requirements and study your local Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) handbook. You can find a handbook either in a physical copy or a downloadable PDF from the DMV.
A chauffeur knowledge exam may contain 15 to 20 multiple-choice questions, depending on which state you live in. You typically need to get a score of 70% or higher to be considered for a license.
How Much Is a Chauffeur License?
The cost of a chauffeur license varies by state and depends on the capacity and size of the vehicle you plan to drive. All states charge a CDL license fee. The least expensive state to obtain a CDL is Hawaii at only $5. New York charges the highest CLD license fee at $164.50.
Some states charge:
- CLP application fees from $3 to $90.
- CDL application fees from $6 to $43.25.
- Written test fees from $5 to $125.
- Skills test fees from $15 to $250.
- Road test fees from $5 to $40.
- Endorsement fees from $5 to $61.
Do I Need Chauffeur Certification?
While chauffeur certification isn’t a requirement, it’s a great way to learn more about the job, develop and enhance your skills, and make yourself more appealing to employers. PAX Anime Pacem offers a chauffeur certification program that prepares you to provide the best possible safety and transportation services to your passengers.
The program has six training modules and quizzes and a final exam. It covers:
- The importance of being “on time.”
- Vehicle cleanliness and maintenance.
- Trip preparation.
- Key elements that make a professional chauffeur.
- Safety best practices.
- Customer service.
How Much Do Limo Drivers Make?
According to the BLS, the median limo driver salary is $36,920 per year. However, that’s only a ballpark figure. Some limo services charge $100 per hour or a flat day or night rate (e.g., $500-$1,000) and pay their drivers accordingly. Additionally, many drivers receive tips between 10 and 20% of the total bill. For example, you could expect to earn $10-$20 per hour in tips.
How Much Do Chauffeurs Make?
Data from the BLS shows that a chauffeur salary ranges from $25,750 to $49,920 per year. Like limo drivers, chauffeurs often receive a large portion of their pay in tips, which are typically 10 to 20%.
How to Find Chauffeur Jobs
Now that you know how to become a chauffeur or limo driver, it’s time to find a new gig. But first, create a resume that highlights your chauffeur credentials and skills (e.g., customer service, trip planning and preparation, and safety protocols). See Monster’s driver resume sample to get started. Then, get a free resume review before sending the final copy to employers.
Lastly, create a cover letter to make yourself stand out from other qualified applicants. Our transportation cover letter examples demonstrate how to write a compelling introduction, describe your professional background, and create a call-to-action, so employers know how to contact you for an interview.
When you’re ready to begin your search for chauffeur jobs, you might want to check out opportunities in these five U.S. cities:
Map Your Route to Career Success
Ready to land a job as a limo driver or chauffeur? Create your profile for free at Monster to accelerate your job search. We’ll match your resume with jobs that interest you and make it easy for hiring managers to reach out to you. We also offer free email notifications when new jobs open and targeted career advice articles to help you successfully navigate your job search.