Starting a chauffeur business
Discussion
My advice would be to find large local employers and send a flyer in the mail, follow that up with calls, ask for PAs and the like.
You will also need to know the system as regards delays to flights, you will be expected to pick up your traveller at the price you have quoted even if the plane is delayed.
Have a back up person, perhaps a retired person with a large car who can fill in when you are double booked.
Contact the airport and see if you can offer a service of lost luggage person, reuniting lost luggage with the owner, you will have a productive both ways trip to the airport.
Watch out for insurance, most companies would regard this as Hire and Reward, not the minefield that it used to be but still needs sorting.
You may also need to be either plated or registered with the local Council.
Speak to the local Football club, hign demand for transportation even if it is not people.
Best of Luck
You will also need to know the system as regards delays to flights, you will be expected to pick up your traveller at the price you have quoted even if the plane is delayed.
Have a back up person, perhaps a retired person with a large car who can fill in when you are double booked.
Contact the airport and see if you can offer a service of lost luggage person, reuniting lost luggage with the owner, you will have a productive both ways trip to the airport.
Watch out for insurance, most companies would regard this as Hire and Reward, not the minefield that it used to be but still needs sorting.
You may also need to be either plated or registered with the local Council.
Speak to the local Football club, hign demand for transportation even if it is not people.
Best of Luck
Edited by Roadster2 on Thursday 8th October 11:17
To do it legally OP you will need to contact your local licensing authority when you have decided where to live. You will need:
- Drivers licence which could require you to take the equivalent of an advanced driving test and a local knowledge test. Not all councils require this.
- An enhanced CRB check, or whatever they call it now.
- An Operators licence if you work for yourself.
- The equivalent of an HGV medical
- Private Hire insurance including public liability cover. This can be expensive ie £2k plus or your first year.
- An appropriate car which will need to be tested/licensed. Many authorities have restrictions on the age of vehicle at first licensing.
- Many councils are moving to a 3 year licensing system now which means possibly finding 3 years funding up front, and all of the above renewed every 3 years. The car will need to be re-tested at least once a year possibly twice.
Once you have gone through all that, the biggest challenge is finding work. I targeted local custom, trying to minimise corporate work and found the best way of doing this was through local parish mags. It takes a while to get a response and it took me about 2 years before I was self sufficient in work.
The next big problem is covering bookings. It is often feast or famine so you will need a small network of guys/girls you can trust to help you out
Don't try to be the cheapest, try to be the most reliable and the smoothest/ safest driver you can be.
The whole industry is going through and facing major change over the next few years. London with the challenges of Uber and the introduction of the ULEZ plus other forthcoming legislation needs very careful consideration re the type of car you buy. Waiting and parking is a nightmare as well.
Airports with the introduction of set down charges and extortionate car park charges are becoming very frustrating and expensive, and it is likely to get worse, with the consideration of a congestion type charge at LHR, and most likely other London airports if LHR go ahead.
I had 15 very successful years, and you can make a very good living. I was based about 100 miles from London, so a lot of my work was airports.
You need to be willing to work any time of day or night, 7 days a week, most weekends, and won't get much time off for holidays etc.
If you do lots of Corporate work, expect to wait several weeks before some pay you.
I enjoyed my time, but have just sold up and retired, and to be honest the only thing I miss is the people contact.
HTH and good luck if you decide to give it a go.
PS, the only way to make good money is to work for yourself.
- Drivers licence which could require you to take the equivalent of an advanced driving test and a local knowledge test. Not all councils require this.
- An enhanced CRB check, or whatever they call it now.
- An Operators licence if you work for yourself.
- The equivalent of an HGV medical
- Private Hire insurance including public liability cover. This can be expensive ie £2k plus or your first year.
- An appropriate car which will need to be tested/licensed. Many authorities have restrictions on the age of vehicle at first licensing.
- Many councils are moving to a 3 year licensing system now which means possibly finding 3 years funding up front, and all of the above renewed every 3 years. The car will need to be re-tested at least once a year possibly twice.
Once you have gone through all that, the biggest challenge is finding work. I targeted local custom, trying to minimise corporate work and found the best way of doing this was through local parish mags. It takes a while to get a response and it took me about 2 years before I was self sufficient in work.
The next big problem is covering bookings. It is often feast or famine so you will need a small network of guys/girls you can trust to help you out
Don't try to be the cheapest, try to be the most reliable and the smoothest/ safest driver you can be.
The whole industry is going through and facing major change over the next few years. London with the challenges of Uber and the introduction of the ULEZ plus other forthcoming legislation needs very careful consideration re the type of car you buy. Waiting and parking is a nightmare as well.
Airports with the introduction of set down charges and extortionate car park charges are becoming very frustrating and expensive, and it is likely to get worse, with the consideration of a congestion type charge at LHR, and most likely other London airports if LHR go ahead.
I had 15 very successful years, and you can make a very good living. I was based about 100 miles from London, so a lot of my work was airports.
You need to be willing to work any time of day or night, 7 days a week, most weekends, and won't get much time off for holidays etc.
If you do lots of Corporate work, expect to wait several weeks before some pay you.
I enjoyed my time, but have just sold up and retired, and to be honest the only thing I miss is the people contact.
HTH and good luck if you decide to give it a go.
PS, the only way to make good money is to work for yourself.
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