How to Become a Personal Driver (With Step-by-Step Guide)

A personal driver provides an exclusive transportation service to help individuals reach their destinations on time. Private drivers use their excellent driving and interpersonal skills to safely drive their passengers to various locations, typically in a luxury or attractive vehicle model. If you enjoy travelling and driving, then you may find a career as a personal driver interesting. In this article, we discuss the role of a personal driver, explain how to become one, list the necessary skills and salary rates and provide similar career paths you may also consider.

What is a personal driver?

Individuals in this profession operate luxury vehicles to transport their passengers to various destinations, so understanding the job's key responsibilities can prove useful when learning about becoming a personal driver. A personal driver may work as part of a car hire service or as the sole driver for a private client.

Also known as a chauffeur, a private driver's primary responsibility is to move their clients from one place to another, in a safe and time-efficient manner. This may involve using a GPS for directions, analysing traffic or weather and having a good understanding of local road networks and systems.

How to become a personal driver

When learning how to become a personal driver, you may want to first consider the qualifications, work experience and skills required to excel in the job. Here are some helpful steps to take to increase your chances of gaining employment as a personal driver:

1. Earn your secondary school certificate

You can earn your secondary school certificate by completing year 10 of your high school. Finishing your secondary school studies shows you have a basic skill set in communication and mathematics, which may help your interpersonal and navigation skills when working as a private driver. Attending secondary school may also improve your problem-solving and logical thinking abilities, which can help you make better decisions when driving clients, to maintain a safe driving technique while still finding the fastest route of travel.

2. Get a driver's licence

Obtaining your driver's licence is an essential part of becoming a personal driver. You can gain your driving licence by taking part in several driving lessons over a sustained period, then passing a driving test with an instructor. During your driving test, your instructor may ask you to perform different driving tasks, such as parking, navigating and safety checks.

3. Gain accreditation

As a private driver, you require accreditation specific to Australian regulations and industry standards for the state you work in. While these regulations vary among states, there are some commonalities that are likely to apply to all private drivers of smaller vehicles. It is important that you can provide an Australian driver's licence, pass a criminal background check, have the standard health requirements for drivers and possess proof that you are an Australian citizen. To find out the essential requirements of your local state laws, contact your state's department of transportation or ask your local council for further guidance.

4. Obtain work experience

Gaining work experience in different driving jobs can help enrich your resume, which may benefit your application when you apply for jobs as a personal driver in the future. Work experience can range from voluntary roles to internships and entry-level employment. For a career as a personal driver, consider gaining professional industry experience as a taxi driver to build your resume and earn an income while you continue to develop your skills.

5. Apply for full-time jobs

At this stage, you may feel confident in your abilities to apply for full-time jobs as a personal driver. During this step, you may write a resume, prepare cover letters and attend job interviews. Ensure that your resume and cover letters contain all your work experience, skills or qualifications that apply to the position. It may also be beneficial to tailor your resume to the specific job and company you apply to, to show employers you fit the criteria they are looking for in their candidate. You can search for job availability using the Indeed Job Board online.

What skills does a personal driver require?

Personal drivers utilise a particular set of skills that helps them perform their tasks safely and effectively. If you want to become a personal driver, consider developing the following skills:

Interpersonal

Communication and friendly customer service skills are key to keeping your clients happy. Possessing strong communication skills may make it easier for you to understand and follow directions, clarify a location's address and converse with your clients in a respectful and friendly manner. These skills can help you build a positive reputation as a personal driver, which may help you gain more clients in the future.

Related: Why Interpersonal Communication is So Important at Work

Time management

Being an individual's personal driver means you require excellent time management skills to ensure you can pick up and drop off your client on time. Being aware of traffic and weather conditions may also help you manage your time management skills more efficiently, as you can factor in any delays and make adjustments to your driving route accordingly. Developing this skill can help you gain a more positive reputation as a personal driver.

Related: Time Management Skills: The Importance of Including Them in Your Resume

Problem-solving

When driving any type of vehicle, you may encounter technical problems that could prevent you from reaching a location on time. Possessing strong problem-solving skills can help you make logical and efficient decisions to help you get back on the road as quickly and safely as possible. To develop your problem-solving skills as a personal driver, consider learning more about how to fix common car problems and develop your knowledge on road safety laws and limits.

Technical motor skills

Developing your technical motor skills as a personal driver may make it easier for you to fix a technical problem if it arises in the car. You can then fix any issues while on the job to prevent delays. This can be beneficial for keeping your car in great condition and ensuring your passengers can arrive at their locations on time.

How much does a personal driver make?

The average national salary for a personal driver is $48,854 per year. These figures may vary depending on your years of experience, qualifications and your specific employer. Regional location can also affect your salary because of potential differences in living costs.

Similar careers to a personal driver

There are several similar career paths to a job as a personal driver within the transportation industry. These jobs require a similar skill set and qualification to the position of a personal driver, so they may be potential career paths to consider. Here are the primary duties and average salary of these careers:

1. Delivery driver

National average salary: $74,632 per year

Primary duties: Delivery drivers pick up packaged goods and deliver them to customers. These professionals typically work for a delivery service or independently on behalf of a particular retailer. In addition to delivering goods, they may also accept payment from customers. For instance, employers may require some food delivery drivers to collect cash payments from customers on behalf of their company.

Related: How to Become a Delivery Driver (With Development Skills)

2. Truck driver

National average salary: $78,723 per year

Primary duties: A truck driver often travels to and from distribution centres, retail outlets and manufacturing plants to deliver different products. Depending on their employer's industry, they may transport anything from raw materials to livestock. They may help pack the goods into the back of the truck safely, plan the driving route to minimise delays and fill out the relevant paperwork. A truck driver may sign off trucks, confirm deliveries and keep a log of their driving hours.

Related: How to Become a Truck Driver (With Step-by-Step Guide)

3. Bus driver

National average salary: $61,503 per year

Primary duties: A bus driver's primary responsibility is to transport passengers from one location to another on a predetermined route. It is their responsibility to ensure a comfortable and safe ride for the passengers on their bus. A bus driver typically picks up and drops off passengers at scheduled stops along local bus routes.

Salary figures reflect data listed on Indeed Salaries at time of writing. Salaries may vary depending on the hiring organisation and a candidate's experience, academic background and location.