Discussion
Hello.
Apologies if a thread has been done about this before.
I would quite like to start a driving business. I've been driving for different people who I know for a while.. Range Rovers etc etc as favours for when they want to party.
I've always wanted to do it full time.
Now I've got the opportunity to buy a Jag from a family member and want to use that as a business vehicle and for personal use.
Where do I begin and what do I do?!
Cheers
Apologies if a thread has been done about this before.
I would quite like to start a driving business. I've been driving for different people who I know for a while.. Range Rovers etc etc as favours for when they want to party.
I've always wanted to do it full time.
Now I've got the opportunity to buy a Jag from a family member and want to use that as a business vehicle and for personal use.
Where do I begin and what do I do?!
Cheers
Hjj said:
Hello.
Apologies if a thread has been done about this before.
I would quite like to start a driving business. I've been driving for different people who I know for a while.. Range Rovers etc etc as favours for when they want to party.
I've always wanted to do it full time.
Now I've got the opportunity to buy a Jag from a family member and want to use that as a business vehicle and for personal use.
Where do I begin and what do I do?!
Cheers
Insurance and a way of making the phone ring.Apologies if a thread has been done about this before.
I would quite like to start a driving business. I've been driving for different people who I know for a while.. Range Rovers etc etc as favours for when they want to party.
I've always wanted to do it full time.
Now I've got the opportunity to buy a Jag from a family member and want to use that as a business vehicle and for personal use.
Where do I begin and what do I do?!
Cheers
Licence if necessary.
That's it I think.
I started a similar thread a few years ago when we had to apply for our own jobs due to "modernisation". I considered taking VR but in the end never.
Anyway it's a short thread but may have some info for you.
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
All the best.
CHR
Anyway it's a short thread but may have some info for you.
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
All the best.
CHR
Most chauffeuring is in London so that's where you really want to be looking to make a success of it. But you really need good knowledge of London, doesn't look good if you've got the Satnav screaming at you to make a u turn when your lost! There's hundreds & hundreds around here, it's pretty difficult to break into and find the right client.
I know a couple guys in the past who's boss lives say an hour or so from London though, so he'll drive him in, drop off at work then if he's not needed end up driving back to the house and take the wife places (clothes shopping!) or take the maid food shopping ...or just get lumbered with a few jobs around the house! Then drive back to London to collect the boss and bring him home. Or if they've got to hang around in the city it's play dodge the traffic warden until the phone goes to collect them...
Some get paid very well, get decent time off and shift rotation, or every other weekend off etc, some don't and are at it pretty much 7 days a week solid. All really depends who you work for and what they require. You're very much 'there for them' as and when they need you.
Hours can be very long and unsociable, or just a few hours a night to take them out for a meal or party. Varies from job to job.
You might have to be in from say 0800 to 1700 going all over the place running errands or taking the client somewhere, then stood down for a couple hours before taking them back out to the theatre and meal or to a party etc, then bring them home around midnight....then repeat the same thing the next day. Pretty knackering if it's a regular thing and they're out every night.
Courses I'd definitely look at doing a ROSPA or IAM course, also look at the Chauffeurs Guild although a lot of guys I know said its a waste of time/bit cringeworthy, it does look good on the CV. Depending on the client they might want someone who's CP (close protection) trained or done a security drivers course (gets expensive now as decent courses are a few grand!!) Or even stipulate ex military/police only.
Vehicle wise its got to be pretty decent and worth a few quid if its your own. They'll be paying decent money so will expect a decent motor, turn up with a 10 year old S class and there's a good chance you won't be driving them the next day. BMW ruined my little plan when they brought out the new 7 series! Most will have their own car though and just need a driver.
Take a look in Lady Magazine for anyone looking for a chauffeur (and usually handyman!!) might get lucky as there's usually something in there, also look at websites like Marques of Distinction, Greycoat Placements etc who deal with wealthy people who need butlers/maids and so on, and they sometimes ask for chauffeurs.
Also take a look on the forum CloseProtectionWorld as there's a dedicated driving & chauffeuring section there.
I know a couple guys in the past who's boss lives say an hour or so from London though, so he'll drive him in, drop off at work then if he's not needed end up driving back to the house and take the wife places (clothes shopping!) or take the maid food shopping ...or just get lumbered with a few jobs around the house! Then drive back to London to collect the boss and bring him home. Or if they've got to hang around in the city it's play dodge the traffic warden until the phone goes to collect them...
Some get paid very well, get decent time off and shift rotation, or every other weekend off etc, some don't and are at it pretty much 7 days a week solid. All really depends who you work for and what they require. You're very much 'there for them' as and when they need you.
Hours can be very long and unsociable, or just a few hours a night to take them out for a meal or party. Varies from job to job.
You might have to be in from say 0800 to 1700 going all over the place running errands or taking the client somewhere, then stood down for a couple hours before taking them back out to the theatre and meal or to a party etc, then bring them home around midnight....then repeat the same thing the next day. Pretty knackering if it's a regular thing and they're out every night.
Courses I'd definitely look at doing a ROSPA or IAM course, also look at the Chauffeurs Guild although a lot of guys I know said its a waste of time/bit cringeworthy, it does look good on the CV. Depending on the client they might want someone who's CP (close protection) trained or done a security drivers course (gets expensive now as decent courses are a few grand!!) Or even stipulate ex military/police only.
Vehicle wise its got to be pretty decent and worth a few quid if its your own. They'll be paying decent money so will expect a decent motor, turn up with a 10 year old S class and there's a good chance you won't be driving them the next day. BMW ruined my little plan when they brought out the new 7 series! Most will have their own car though and just need a driver.
Take a look in Lady Magazine for anyone looking for a chauffeur (and usually handyman!!) might get lucky as there's usually something in there, also look at websites like Marques of Distinction, Greycoat Placements etc who deal with wealthy people who need butlers/maids and so on, and they sometimes ask for chauffeurs.
Also take a look on the forum CloseProtectionWorld as there's a dedicated driving & chauffeuring section there.
A guy I know chauffeurs for Lord Ali (Planet24 TV co-founder and, I think, the first openly gay peer) - he gets to drive round in a nice new LWB 7-series but there is an awful lot of waiting around while his boss attends various functions.
I guess it depends on what line of chauffeuring you are targeting? The old-fashioned 'single-client' type, or more 'Executive Hire'?
I guess it depends on what line of chauffeuring you are targeting? The old-fashioned 'single-client' type, or more 'Executive Hire'?
I have a business associate that is the co-owner of a London based executive car business. Their clients tend to be banks and big city institutions and some of the airlines that offer door to airport chauffeuring services.
Most of their drivers are owner-drivers and self employed and the harder-working and most personable ones see the nicer side of £80k each year - out of which they need to cover their fuel, car and expenses.
PM me if you want me to point you in the right direction.
Most of their drivers are owner-drivers and self employed and the harder-working and most personable ones see the nicer side of £80k each year - out of which they need to cover their fuel, car and expenses.
PM me if you want me to point you in the right direction.
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