chauffeur
A chauffeur (female, especially in Switzerland : Chauffeuse , in the older German usage, motor vehicle driver ) is a driver of motorized road vehicles . As a rule, however, this only refers to the professional driver of passenger vehicles (e.g. company car , taxi driver ). In contrast to the professional driver , this is not a state-recognized job description. In Switzerland, Austria and Old Bavaria , motor vehicle drivers are generally referred to as chauffeurs or drivers; Especially when it comes to public transport , in these countries - unlike in the rest of the German-speaking area - one does not speak of the bus driver, but of the bus driver.
With the use of a car, he succeeds the coachman . In a narrower sense, it means the driver who is on behalf of a person, a company or an office for the transport of people in an employment relationship. In the past, the care and maintenance of the vehicle also played a large role, as earlier automobiles required much more maintenance than today's models. Therefore, many chauffeurs were trained mechanics . In addition, a corresponding appearance and appearance were and are desired when trips are often made to official occasions, especially when working for business people or politicians.
etymology
Etymologically, the word is borrowed from the French chauffeur for stoker . The word belongs to the French chauffer , which in German means to warm up, to heat . The French word goes back to vlat. calefare . Originally, the chauffeur was understood to be a train driver who also worked as a stoker and mechanic.
Task areas in the present
A chauffeur's area of responsibility can essentially be divided into three areas:
- Private driver
- Company car driver, board member or chief driver
- Chauffeur for a limousine service
In all three areas mentioned, the job description includes:
- driving the vehicle
- the care of the car
- minor maintenance work such as cleaning, checking and topping up lubricants, coolants and washing water
Depending on the area of responsibility, appropriate knowledge in the areas of appearance and manners, driving safety, personal protection and first aid is useful.
Private driver
Under private chauffeurs means the personal driver of a wealthy private individual. This theme was picked up in the film Miss Daisy and Her Chauffeur . Depending on personal qualifications, it is not uncommon for the chauffeur to also have the status of a butler , walk dogs or be available for gardening and running errands.
Company car driver
Company car drivers work for companies or authorities. Company drivers who are available to the board are usually referred to as "board drivers". As a rule, only the members of the board or management have personal drivers. If necessary, the members of senior management have a driver service available, from which drivers can be requested depending on availability. This activity of the "board driver" is closely interlinked with the security guards who may be provided and the staff working in board assistance.
Worked for authorities in Germany
Larger authorities usually have a driver on call. While in the past mostly the heads of the highest authorities (as well as the higher and middle authorities) had personal drivers (so-called "chief drivers"), at the turn of the millennium, chief drivers were only assigned to the heads of the highest authorities and other heads of prominent departments ( e.g. Federal President, Federal Chancellor, Prime Minister, Minister, President of the Federal Constitutional Court, President of the Bundestag and Bundesrat, President of an audit office).
The German Federal President is granted this privilege for life.
The other department heads must access the vehicle fleet. However, you are usually provided with a vehicle and a driver for your preferred use.
Chauffeur of a limousine service
A rental car company (often referred to as a limousine service in common usage) is defined by the provision of one or more rental cars with a chauffeur licensed for passenger transport (usually referred to as a driver in common parlance). A major difference to the taxi business is that the rental car with chauffeur is booked exclusively in advance for a driving order and usually for persons or events with a specific name. Common means of transport are, depending on the type of order, high-class limousines or vans.
Typical areas of application of a chauffeur for a rental car company are:
- Execution of airport transfers including pick-up from a predetermined pick-up location (e.g. terminal, hotel)
- Transport of event / gala guests (shuttle service)
- Excursion / sightseeing trips for tourists
- exclusive transport of VIP guests from politics, business, sport, music, film & television etc.
Limousine service chauffeurs also take on the work of a concierge (such as making reservations and bookings for restaurant tables, concert tickets or business planes).
working hours
The chauffeur's job is very time-consuming. It may be necessary to work seven days a week regardless of the time. In addition to these points, absolute discretion is required about what is seen and heard in the limousine , in the office, in the house, etc.
In the case of public authority drivers, the working hours are limited by collective agreements to 10–12 hours for chief drivers.
Chauffeurs in the professional transport of people have to adhere to the local regulations on driving and rest times.
See also
Web links
- Association of Chauffeur & Limousine Service Companies in Germany V. (VLD)
- Federal Association of Chauffeur & Limousine Service Companies in Germany V. founded in 1987
- Chauffeur of the year