Achauffeur (French pronunciation:[ʃɔ.fœʁ]) is a person employed to drive passenger motor vehicle, especially aluxury vehicle such as a largesedan,SUV or alimousine.
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 andvehicle for hire. Some service companies merely offer the driver.
The termchauffeur comes from the French term forstoker because the earliest automobiles,[1] like their railroad and sea vessel counterparts, weresteam-powered and required the driver to stoke the engine. The chauffeur also maintained the car, including routine maintenance and cleaning, and had to be a skilled mechanic to deal with breakdowns andtyre punctures en route, which were very common in the earliest years of the automobile.[citation needed]
Only the wealthy could afford the first automobiles, and they generally employed chauffeurs rather than driving themselves. A 1906 article inThe 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 existingcoach drivers.[2]
While the term may refer to anybody who drives for a living, it usually implies a driver of an elegant passenger vehicle such as ahorse-drawn carriage,luxury sedan,motor coach, or especially alimousine; those who operate buses or non-passenger vehicles are generally referred to as "drivers". In some countries, particularly developing nations where a ready supply of labor ensures that even themiddle classes can afforddomestic staff and among the wealthy,[3] the chauffeur may simply be called the "driver".
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.[4] This is similar to but much more luxurious than taking ataxicab. A variety of benefits are cited for using chauffeurs, including convenience, productivity, and time savings,[5] and driving safety for business people[6] and seniors.[7]Insurance costs for luxury vehicles are often lower if the designated driver is a chauffeur.[3]
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.[8][9]
In addition to the minimum legal requirements, limousine companies often require their chauffeurs to undergo specific extra training.[10][11] These courses may involve evasive driving ordefensive driving techniques, the proper methods to ensure safety in the most extreme conditions, such as inclement weather, a flat tire at high speeds, or other exterior influences for loss of vehicular control, etc.[12]
Many companies also have courses on what they expect from their chauffeurs. Chauffeurs may be taught properetiquette when they are in the presence of theirclientele. They may also be trained for services to the client beyond the car itself, such as for a personalvalet orbodyguard.[13]
Many companies and local licensing agencies require randomdrug screening for chauffeurs.[14] There have been increased requirements for compliance in drug and alcohol testing in the United States.[15] The problem was highlighted after professionalice hockey playerVladimir Konstantinov's career-ending injuries when his recently hired chauffeur, Richard Gnida, lost control of their limousine and crashed.[16][17] 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.[18]
...but it simply means what we call "fireman", or what the English call "stoker"...
Thirty-two laws took effect in 1999 amid mounting evidence that thousands of people with suspended or revoked licenses were driving, despite numerous alcohol-related convictions and serious traffic violations.
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