Occupational Profile

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Chauffeur

Chauffeurs drive limousines, large sedans and 14 passenger vans. They transport passengers ranging from corporate executives to children from place to place.

Avg. Salary $26,553.00
Avg. Wage $15.20
Minimum Education Varies
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Also Known As

Driver

NOC & Interest Codes

The Chauffeur is part of the following larger National Occupational Classification (NOC).

Chauffeurs NOC 7413.2

Chauffeurs

NOC code: 7413.2

OBJECTIVE: Interest in driving employers, and passengers designated by employers, to destinations in automobiles and limousines, and to meet and pick up employers according to requests, appointments and schedules
METHODICAL: Interest in copying to clean and make minor repairs to vehicles, and to take vehicles for servicing
SOCIAL: Interest in speaking to perform business and personal errands for employers such as delivering and picking up mail, business documents and parcels

Reading Interest Codes

A Quick Guide

The interest code helps you figure out if you’d like to work in a particular occupation. It’s based on the Canadian Work Preference Inventory (CWPI), which measures 5 occupational interests: Directive, Innovative, Methodical, Objective and Social.

Each set of 3 interest codes is listed in order of importance.

A code in capital letters means it’s a strong fit for the occupation.

A code in all lowercase letters means the fit is weaker.

Learn More

Duties

Updated Dec 16, 2016

Chauffeurs may work exclusively for specific organizations or individuals, or work for companies that provide limousine services for special occasions such as business meetings, weddings, graduations, concerts and formal parties.

The primary responsibility of all chauffeurs is to operate passenger vehicles safely and efficiently. However, they also:

pick up or meet passengers in response to dispatched calls or pre-arranged bookings
help passengers board and leave limousines (for example, elderly or persons with disabilities)
provide information about the local area
collect payments from customers
keep their limousines clean inside and out
perform routine maintenance checks on their vehicles (for example, check tires, fluid levels).

Working Conditions

Updated Dec 16, 2016

Chauffeurs may work on call and only on a part-time basis, or they may drive full time exclusively for one employer. They spend most of their work time either driving or waiting for passengers. Chauffeurs often work nights and on weekends, and sometimes work shifts. They usually are required to wear suits or uniforms.

Lifting luggage and parcels weighing up to 20 kilograms, sometimes 25 kilograms, may be required.

Strength Required Lift up to 20 kg

Skills & Abilities

Updated Dec 16, 2016

Chauffeurs need the following characteristics:

good communication skills
integrity and the ability to be discreet (for example, keep confidential personal information overheard while driving)
the ability to remain diplomatic and courteous even when dealing with difficult passengers
a desire to maintain a neat personal appearance and keep their vehicles clean
patience and self-discipline.

They should enjoy driving, taking a methodical approach to cleaning and servicing vehicles, and talking to people.

Educational Requirements

Updated Dec 16, 2016

In Alberta, chauffeurs must have a Class 4 Alberta Operator's License which requires a medical exam and successful completion of a written exam and a road test. Depending on the municipality in which they work, chauffeurs also may be required to have a municipal chauffeur's permit before training on company vehicles. The municipal permit may require successful completion of an English exam, defensive driving course and a test of the applicant's knowledge of the city, or a police abstract indicating that the applicant has no criminal convictions. Demerit points and moving convictions are monitored by municipalities and employing companies. Often, companies will not allow drivers to work if there are more than six demerit points on their records.

Chauffeurs who work for limousine companies that offer liquor service in their vehicles must complete ProServe Liquor Staff Training. ProServe is a provincial government training program designed to ensure liquor service and sales activities are conducted with integrity and in a socially responsible manner. ProServe is available online, as a self-directed home study using a video and a manual, or by seminar.

Some limousine companies offer on the job training.

In general, employers prefer to hire job applicants who:

have good driving records
experience working in the hospitality industry
have strong personal and work references
have good disposition
pride in appearance
know the local area and house numbering systems, and the locations of important buildings, landmarks and popular restaurants and bars
can describe local points of interest and recommend restaurants and nightclubs that might be of interest to different types of clients.

Some limousine companies require their chauffeurs to be 25 years of age or older so they qualify for lower insurance rates.

For a broad list of programs and courses that may be related to this occupation try searching using keywords.

Employment & Advancement

Updated Dec 16, 2016

Above-average occupational growth is expected in Alberta for 2016 to 2020. Job openings are a result of employment turnover and newly created positions.

Most chauffeurs work for limousine or cab companies; some work for individual employers or are self-employed. There usually are opportunities for part time, on call work with limousine companies for chauffeurs who have good driving records.

Chauffeurs are part of the larger 2011 National Occupational Classification 7513: Taxi and limousine drivers and chauffeurs. In Alberta, 78% of people employed in this classification work in the following industries:

Transportation and Warehousing (PDF)
Retail Trade (PDF)
Finance, Insurance, Real Estate and Leasing (PDF)

The employment outlook in this occupation will be influenced by a wide variety of factors including:

trends and events affecting overall employment (especially in the industries listed above)
location in Alberta
employment turnover (work opportunities generated by people leaving existing positions)
occupational growth (work opportunities resulting from the creation of new positions that never existed before)
size of the occupation.

Over 6,300 Albertans are employed in the Taxi and limousine drivers and chauffeurs occupational group. This group is expected to have an above-average annual growth of 2.1% from 2016 to 2020. As a result, 132 new positions are forecast to be created each year, in addition to job openings created by employment turnover. Note: As chauffeurs form only a part of this larger occupational group, only some of these newly created positions will be for chauffeurs.

Employment turnover is expected to increase as members of the baby boom generation retire over the next few years.

Wage & Salary

Updated Dec 16, 2016

Chauffeurs' earnings vary considerably, depending on the employer and the number of hours worked. Chauffeurs may be paid by the hour, a percentage of the amount charged to customers or a monthly salary. They also get paid in gratuities which is usually 10% to 25%. Chauffeurs may be required to purchase expensive uniforms.

Chauffeurs are part of the larger 2011 National Occupational Classification 7513: Taxi and limousine drivers and chauffeurs.

According to the 2015 Alberta Wage and Salary Survey, Albertans in the Taxi and limousine drivers and chauffeurs occupational group earned on average from $12.21 to $19.34 an hour. The overall average wage was $15.20 an hour. For more information, see the Taxi and limousine drivers and chauffeurs wage profile.

Related High School Subjects

Trades, Manufacturing and Transportation
- Logistics
- Mechanics