17 August 2023

How to improve your driving: 6 tips

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Working as a chauffeur driver requires a specific approach to customer communication, as well as great driving skills.

Driving like a professional driver is a skill that can be acquired with time, experience and the right tricks.

This will allow you to differentiate yourself from your competitors, build customer loyalty over time and generate positive word of mouth that will attract new quality customers.

To achieve these results, these 6 tips to improve your driving can help you perfect your approach right from the start. Let’s look at them together.

The tasks of a private driver

Before looking at the advice for private drivers, it’s important to know what their responsibilities are and what they should focus on to make their work more efficient. The tasks and responsibilities of a private driver include:

Route management. The driver must ensure that customers arrive at their destination as quickly as possible by taking care of the itinerary in advance;
Passenger care. The driver must communicate with customers and make them feel welcome throughout the journey. He must also make the journey comfortable and share with passengers the chosen itinerary;
Vehicle maintenance. The driver must take care of his vehicle, ensuring that it is always clean and safe.

6 tips for driving like a professional driver

If you are a chauffeur, you will have to work with important people such as managers, CEOs, VIPs or celebrities. This requires special attention to driving, which can be achieved by following these six tips:

Make your car perfect
Prepare your route
Drive carefully
Don’t forget the rules of the Highway Code
Communicate with your passengers
Invest in your training

#1 – Make your car perfect

If you want to improve your driving, the first thing to do is to have a safe and reliable vehicle. Routine checks generally concern:

Proper brake function;
Tyre pressure;
Functioning of all lights, including front and rear lights, indicators, brake lights and reversing lights;
Adjustment of the rear-view mirrors;
Check water and oil levels;
Check the correct operation of safety devices (airbags, seats, seatbelts).

In addition to this check, you should also fill up with fuel before letting your customers on board. Particular attention should also be paid to the cleanliness of the vehicle, both inside and out.

#2 – Prepare the itinerary

A good driver plans his itinerary in advance in order to manage a transfer or travel experience. Preparing your itinerary means knowing your route, the entrances to your destinations and the existence of any tolls or restricted areas.

In addition, you should always have an alternative itinerary in case of unforeseen events.

#3 – Drive safely

The best way to drive safely is to take a defensive approach. The secret to safe driving is to anticipate any unexpected events. To avoid the risk of collisions, always keep a reasonable safety distance.

Another important indicator for safe driving is road signs: if there are areas with a lot of signs and road markings, there is a greater chance of danger.

Avoid dangerous overtaking manoeuvres or rough manoeuvres, especially when road conditions are not ideal.

#4 – Don’t forget the rules of the Highway Code

It is equally important to obey the Highway Code to keep yourself and your passengers safe and to avoid fines. The advice is to pay particular attention to everything that affects safety, such as respecting traffic lights, road signs, priorities and rights of way.

#5 – Communicate with your passengers

An excellent driver has good standing and knows how to communicate with passengers. The relationship of trust between driver and customer is very important, so you should always be welcoming and patient to meet the needs of your passengers.

In addition, a good driver knows how to show the itinerary, hold simple conversations (if the customer wishes) and ensure that the customer feels safe and comfortable. In addition, you will have to be very discreet and respectful of your customers’ privacy. In this way, you can provide them with a positive travel experience and encourage them to choose you for future travel.

#6 – Invest in your training

Acquiring new knowledge and skills is the best way to grow as a professional.

If you want to improve your customer management, learn marketing strategies and get to know all the tools to start your business, the LiMO Academy is for you.

By enrolling in the Academy, you will have two days, 15 hours and 3 modules to grow your chauffeur-driven hire business, learning only from professionals who have been active in this sector for more than 15 years.