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A chauffeur () is a person employed to drive passenger motor vehicle, especially a luxury vehicle such as a large sedan, SUV or a limousine.
Initially, such drivers were often personal employees of the vehicle owner, but this has changed to specialist chauffeur service companies or individual drivers that provide both driver and vehicle for hire. Some service companies merely offer the driver.
Only the wealthy could afford the first cars. In the 1890s, cars were open, often had a single bench seat and were driven by their owners. From 1900 they became practical transport and owners employed chauffeurs rather than driving themselves. A 1906 article in The New York Times reported that "the chauffeur problem to-day is one of the most serious that the automobilist has to deal with", and complained that "young men of no particular ability, who have been earning from $10 to $12 a week, are suddenly elevated to salaried positions paying from $25 to $50" and recommended the re-training of existing coachman.
Some people may employ chauffeurs full-time to drive them in their vehicles, while professional services offer on-request limousines or rental cars that include chauffeurs. This is similar to but much more luxurious than taking a taxicab. A variety of benefits are cited for using chauffeurs, including convenience, productivity, and time savings, and driving safety for business people and seniors. Insurance costs for luxury vehicles are often lower if the designated driver is a chauffeur.
The legal requirements for being a chauffeur vary depending on the local jurisdiction and class of vehicle. In some cases, a simple permit is required. Still, in others, an additional professional license with specific minimum standards in areas such as age, health, driving experience, criminal record, local geographic knowledge, or training is needed.
Many companies also have courses on what they expect from their chauffeurs. Chauffeurs may be taught proper etiquette when they are in the presence of their . They may also be trained for services to the client beyond the car itself, such as for a personal valet or bodyguard.
Many companies and local licensing agencies require random drug screening for chauffeurs. There have been increased requirements for compliance in drug and alcohol testing in the United States. The problem was highlighted after professional ice hockey player Vladimir Konstantinov's career-ending injuries when his recently hired chauffeur, Richard Gnida, lost control of their limousine and crashed. Another concern are company drug and alcohol policies for chauffeurs in those states where marijuana is legal because of the potential impact and impairment to perform their job safely and effectively.
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