A question to any self employed chauffeurs.

M

MisterBrightside

Full Registered User
Hi there, id like to ask some advice about going into buisness as a self employed chauffeur. Im currently working in Iraq as a cp operator and hope to leave next year. As ive nothing but time think out here ha ha im thinking of changing careers as the cp industry seems to be flooded at the minute in the uk . As u can imagine ive been thinking of different ideas of things to do when i leave. Its just like leaving the forces again ha ha ( New service leavers note - Iraq work will finish soon and in Afghan the money is considerably less ! Spend ur resettlement money wisely!) One of my ideas is to buy an executive car and go into buisness for myself. I wouldnt expect buisness to be great at the start and i do realise there is more to this buisness than just buying a nice car. So if there any chauffeurs out there reading this or anybody with some good sound advice id be very grateful for your help even if u think its a bad idea. Thanks.
 
I think you could be onto a good thing, but if I were you I would think about doing luxury airport runs too. There's a pretty penny to be made doing that.
 
bandook said:
I think you could be onto a good thing, but if I were you I would think about doing luxury airport runs too. There's a pretty penny to be made doing that.
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There's a lot of big executive cars to be had at bargain prices at the moment, S classes, Audi A8s, etc.
Sadly there's a very good reason for that,
the market is flooded and the requirement reduced.
 
Misterbrightside,
The same situation here in Germany mate, some large firms going broke due to the crisis. They either buy the cars or lease them, but they still have contracts to pay off with the vehicle providers and its this and of course the lack of money by the customers that are finishing them off.
Be careful how you invest your money mate, go to a business consultant before you decided to spend so much.
What ever you do though, good luck.
 
Well the idea i have is to just buy one executive car and try and build a client base and in the meanwhile do something like drive a taxi and hand out buisness cards and do the executive work when and if it comes in. So if the worst comes il be a well mannered taxi driver with good driving experience and a really nice car sat outside my house ha ha. Its all just one idea of mine as i haven't got a master-plan yet so thanks guys for the replies.
 
Don't let us put you off, it's a plan, worth researching, but do so with a clear head and the assistance of a business manager and a realistic business plan.

As regards taxi driving, whilst setting up a limo company.
Watch 'Collateral Damage' first.
 
Well the idea isnt really a limo company, more self employed with one car to offer to see how it goes and i would only drive a taxi for a company. However i will seek professional guidance if i decide to go ahead with it and hey i might have some other idea this time next month like surveillance. Im sure u know what its like when u have nothing but time to think about ur next move ha ha. Cheers again.
 
Network here with companies or ask around who is flying into the UK, London every week and could use drivers? Also talk to model agencys, diamond and juwlery shops (escorts), do a nice broshure and have it sent to the leading corporations etc..
The good thing here is networking if you do pick up jobs vehicle can be rented (its the skills they are after) or some guys here might have nice vehicles already for short up coming jobs..
I know in Scandinavia a private chauffeur is not aloud, they must be (taxi licensed) unless employed directly to one company..
So investigate the requirements for UK so youre not burning bridges before you start

Good Luck
hawk
 
Hi all,

I run my own chauffeur company specialising in CPO drivers, I have large contracts for corporate events and security orientated events like AGMs and Airshows etc.

It is a dog eat dog world out there and this industry is as cut throat as CP, however the individual in the industry is predominantly civilian and they generally have NO business ethic!

PM me for my email address and i will gladly go into more detail.

It has taken me 3 years to build upto what I have now, owner driver is an excellent way to start - however your knowledge of London needs to be first class!

The rewards when they come are significant! I have turned over £100,000 each year I have been operating, yet still there are times when the work dries up! Hence the reason I am kicking about the Gulf of Aden for the winter!

Licensing is required and there are pros and cons to all of it - I can go into more detail however it would bore people if you aren't truly interested in the subject.

If i can be of any assistance then please don't hesitate to contact me.

Kindest Regards

Jon
 
Jon,

Seeing as this is a driving forum (and it is relatively new and with few posts), would you care to do a small write up with hints and tips, licensing etc etc. Once completed I would make it a sticky.

Regards

Mike

CP World Moderator
 
Here are a few things you will have to research:-​
1) Local licensing laws, if people are paying for you to transport them,​
i) You personally may have to get a PSV (Public Service Vehicle) driving licence​
ii) The vehicle may have to be tested for hire & reward (Limousine / Taxi)​
iii) Insurance for public liability​
Don’t go into debt and spend £1,000’s on a car until you have built up a client base to justify a new car, find out who has the type of cars you would use in your local area and speak to them in case you needed an extra car and driver.​
Don’t discuss your business with anyone else, all drivers are out for themselves , and you could lose work to them​
Make sure your other drivers know what you expect from them i.e. smoking, personal hygiene, not talking out of turn, etc.​
Alan​
​
 
The Security Network said:
I totally agree with what alanuk400 has said:

PSV is only needed for more than 9 passengers
Different councils have different rules Jon
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Over here in NI, anyone who is driving for hire and reward needs to have a PSV licence. You used to have to take another driving test (not a knowledge test) but that has been done away with.

It lasts for five years, after the age of 45:mad: you need a medical.

The car is tested once a year, when you apply for the car test you are checked to see if you have a criminal record in the past year.

Private hire has to have a roof sign as well as public hire, when we test our vehicles we have to put a taxi sign on it for the test, and by law we should have it on all the time, they don't acknowledge executive cars as any different.

Alan
 
Alanuk400, this is superb, I think we have definatly shown that research is required for which ever area you wish to operate in - lots of different applications of the rules where ever people are.

I know in Maidenhead where I live, due to the vast asian population that there are little or no knowledge or driving tests as the council don't want to be seen as discriminatory to any section of the community.

I do know that the Institue of Professional Drivers and Chauffeurs are pushing for a national standard for each council and this is hopefully to include a driving test. The IoPDC is currently in moth balls due to the lack of financial support from the Government (to be an Institue you HAVE to be a government department!).

For guys that are interested - Drive 09 is on this month - I hope this link works?

Drive '09 | Chauffeur Exhibition | Taxi show | Limousine Show | Chauffeur driver training | private hire licensing | trade seminars | minicab training | luxury vehicles | chauffeur training and licens

It is free to attend - just register online - You wouldn't go far wrong by attending if you have a significant interest in the industry.

Unfortunately I'm of to the Maldives tomorrow for 14 days on a transit.......

I hope you enjoy the day if you go?

Kindest Regards

Jon
 
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