THE HISTORY AND MEANING OF CHAUFFEURING

In contemporary parlance, we commonly associate the term “chauffeur” with a dignified individual at the helm of a luxurious vehicle, most likely retained to transport a patron. It’s not uncommon to envision this individual sporting a sleek suit, perhaps even a peaked cap and a pair of white gloves, although the latter accessories have become increasingly uncommon in recent times. Nonetheless, a high standard of personal grooming remains a non-negotiable attribute of what it means to be a chauffeur. To gain a deeper appreciation of the term “chauffeur,” let’s delve into its historical roots and evolution.

The inception of the term “chauffeur” dates back to approximately 1896, originating from the French word for “stoker”. This was a time when both railroad and marine transport were powered by steam, necessitating an individual to stoke the engine — thus, the driver was born. By 1902, with the advent of the earliest automobiles that also relied on steam power, the term began to be associated with professional drivers of such vehicles, and it has held steadfast ever since. An interesting fact: a female driver of a passenger vehicle is referred to as a “chauffeuse.”

The pioneering petrol and gasoline-powered motor cars relied on ‘hot tubes’ embedded in the cylinder head for ignition. These tubes needed pre-heating before the engine could start, hence the term “chauffeur” in this context connoted “heater-upper.” The chauffeur’s duties included priming these hot tubes at the onset of a journey. Following this, the engine’s natural compression cycle would maintain the tubes at the requisite temperature. The chauffeur’s role extended to general vehicle maintenance and cleaning, necessitating a mechanical skill set to handle frequent breakdowns and tire punctures — common occurrences in the automobile’s infancy.

Given the exorbitant costs of the earliest automobiles, only the affluent could afford them, typically opting to employ chauffeurs instead of driving themselves. Interestingly, a letter to the editor of The New York Times dated January 19, 1902 (penned by a certain Mr. Calvin Thomas), criticized the use of the term “chauffeur” as a poor utilization of the richness of the English language. However, he conceded it was more palatable than “stoker” or “motorman” — and heaven forbid we use the term “driver”!

A 1906 piece in The New York Times highlighted the emerging “chauffeur problem” as a significant concern for the automobile owner, expressing disapproval over the swift financial elevation of previously low-paid individuals to higher salaried positions, recommending instead the re-training of existing coach drivers. Undeniably, it was a lucrative profession.

People currently either employ chauffeurs full-time to drive themselves in their own cars, or more commonly use professional services such as ChauffeurAi as it’s much more luxurious than taking a taxi. Chauffeur travel offers a variety of benefits including convenience, productivity and time savings, as well as driving safety.

The legal requirements to be a chauffeur vary from area to area across the U.K. and class of vehicle. But all require a professional private hire licence with certain minimum standards in areas such as: age, health, driving experience, criminal record, local geographic knowledge, and training attended.

TRAINING

In addition to the minimum legal requirements, some companies require chauffeurs to take extra training such as evasive driving or defensive driving techniques to ensure safety in the most extreme conditions. 

Chauffeurs at ChauffeurAi are also required to use proper etiquette when they are in presence of their clients as well as agree to non disclosure agreements to ensure complete privacy and discretion.