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What’s the meaning of the word ‘chauffeur’?

Martin Jackson • Apr 11, 2021

When I tell people I’m a chauffeur, I’m often asked what does that actually mean.

It means I drive clients in my prestige vehicles – also called limousines, sedans, people carriers or SUVs – wherever they need to go. In doing so, I practise a high level of etiquette – opening and closing the car doors for them if they wish, being personable, knowing when to talk … and when not to. Discretion is paramount.


I also need to be well-groomed and dress conservatively: a dark two- or three-piece suit, white shirt and a conventional, understated tie. While I obviously need to be there, I also need to remain out of sight.


My vehicle needs to look as pristine as I do. It’s not unheard of for me to tidy the inside of the limousine, clean the windscreen or polish the outside when waiting for my clients while they are in a meeting or at dinner or the theatre. It’s important that clients feel I take pride in my own appearance as well as that of the car.


Driving captains of industry, corporate executives and stars of stage and screen means that people perceive my job as being quite glamorous. It can be, but the profession didn’t start off that way. 


The word ‘chauffeur’ comes from the French word chauffer, which means ‘to heat’ and by the time steam engines were in widespread use, the word was applied to the person who stoked the fires – the stoker or fireman. Not a very glamorous job.


Early motor vehicles also used steam engine ‘technology’ and needed to be heated up first before they could be driven. You needed to be quite rich to own one of the new-fangled automobiles, so often the owner would employ someone to drive it as well. This person would be responsible for heating up the engine, hence they became known as the chauffer or, by the end of the 19th century, the chauffeur. 


The concept of chauffeurs being personal employees of the vehicle owner is not as prevalent today. Indeed, these days most people simply employ a specialist chauffeur service company – like advectus Executive Chauffeur – to carry out a single or return journey, or act as their chauffeur for a whole day or maybe a week. 

In addition to our run-of-the-mill bookings – airport transfers in and out of London, ‘as directed’ commissions – here at advectus, we also drive clients to special events such as Royal Ascot Week, Wimbledon, Chelsea Flower Show, Farnborough Airshow, Cheltenham Festival, Goodwood Festival of Speed and races, Buckingham Palace for investitures or garden parties, and theatre ‘first nights’.


Martin 


Martin Jackson is the proprietor of advectus Executive Chauffeur, a family business with a solid reputation in general chauffeuring, specialising in niche aviation ground transportation sector.


ad*ve’c*tus vb to carry, bring, convey [to]; arrive by

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What’s the difference between a chauffeur and a private hire or minicab driver?

By Martin Jackson • 11 Apr, 2021
Chauffeurs, just like a private hire/minicab drivers, and their vehicles must be licensed. Chauffeurs and drivers working as sole traders, or a company that employs these drivers, must hold an operating licence. These are issued by the local authority of where the vehicle’s business office is registered, and in London by the Public Carriage Office, an agency within TfL (Transport for London). Each local authority has its own licensing department. Furthermore, chauffeurs and private hire drivers also have to hold their own personal PHV – public hire vehicle – Licence, to drive for hire and reward purposes. Their vehicles must be pre-booked by a client; they are not allowed to respond to someone flagging them down on the roadside. The only type of drivers who are allowed to respond to this are black cab drivers. And that’s where the similarity ends. Chauffeurs drive more upmarket limousines to meet the needs and aspirations of the type of, usually wealthy or high profile, clients they drive. Luxury vehicles, such as Mercedes S Class and V Class, are commonly used, but sometimes the client may request a specific marque type. The air-conditioned vehicles are kept in pristine condition, constantly washed and polished, ready to answer a call at a moment’s notice. Not only are the cars immaculate, but its chauffeur must appear just as presentable. Suits and ties are a must, and don’t forget the polished shoes. Few wear a chauffeur’s hat anymore; the days of a peak-capped, double-breasted, jodhpur-wearing personal chauffeurs have long disappeared. Of course, driving the likes of captains of industry, corporate executives and stars of stage and screen means a heightened level of discretion and security …at all times. Martin Martin Jackson is the proprietor of advectus Executive Chauffeur , a family business with a solid reputation in general chauffeuring, specialising in the niche aviation ground transportation sector. ad*ve’c*tus vb to carry, bring, convey [to]; arrive by

What’s the meaning of the word ‘chauffeur’?

By Martin Jackson • 11 Apr, 2021
It means I drive clients in my prestige vehicles – also called limousines, sedans, people carriers or SUVs – wherever they need to go. In doing so, I practise a high level of etiquette – opening and closing the car doors for them if they wish, being personable, knowing when to talk … and when not to. Discretion is paramount. I also need to be well-groomed and dress conservatively: a dark two- or three-piece suit, white shirt and a conventional, understated tie. While I obviously need to be there, I also need to remain out of sight. My vehicle needs to look as pristine as I do. It’s not unheard of for me to tidy the inside of the limousine, clean the windscreen or polish the outside when waiting for my clients while they are in a meeting or at dinner or the theatre. It’s important that clients feel I take pride in my own appearance as well as that of the car.
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