When it comes to limo services, a driver can truly make or break the experience for the customers involved. While plenty of limousine company workers operate behind the scenes to make the operation run smoothly, the drivers are the people who truly represent the company in question, for better or for worse. Since driving a limousine requires a unique set of skills, many customers find themselves wondering what kind of training their drivers actually have to go through before being given the keys to a limo and the responsibility that comes along as part of the package.
Chris Welsher, owner of the Missouri-based company Murcielago Limos, has some rather strict criteria when it comes to hiring drivers. First, he insists that his drivers have the proper endorsements to match the vehicles that they plan to operate. The minimum requirement is a class E license, which enables one to drive a sedan or limo that holds fewer than 16 passengers. For 16 passengers or more, a Commercial Driver’s License with a passenger endorsement is a must.
While the proper official documentation is necessary in order to get Welsher’s attention, he will not accept drivers without the right kind of experience. After all, driving a limo is not the same as driving a car or even a truck for that matter. Limos handle differently than other vehicles, so one must know how to properly maneuver around sharp turns and close corners. Additionally, limo driving involves dealing with lots of background noises from lots of passengers at the same time. In order to be a good limo driver, one must possess the ability to focus on the road without getting too distracted by all the backseat hoopla — a skill that usually only comes with enough hands-on experience.
While credentials and experience are important stepping stones, Welsher insists that his limo drivers be trained in the art of good judgment and customer service. In some cases, a limo driver must play the role of chaperone and keep an eye out for things such as underage drinking. Drivers are also responsible for enforcing the rules by which passengers must abide, such as no smoking or eating inside the vehicle. At the same time, drivers need to be well-versed in customer service for a variety of clientele. From the average working man to the upper class elite, limousine customers can be rather demanding, and a good driver should be trained as to how to deal with passengers in a manner that is both accommodating and respectful. For these reasons, he will not send any of his drivers out on the road until they have satisfied all of the requirements necessary to do their jobs well.
Every limousine company owner should impose high standards for his drivers because they are an reflection of the company. At the same time, customers should feel free to ask about driver training before making reservations to ensure that they are comfortable with the standards as imposed by their local companies. After all, a driver is responsible for the comfort and safety of any passenger who rides in his limo, and that’s a responsibility not to be taken lightly.
