Hiring a private driver for your next event is a great way to hand off the responsibility so you can focus on having a good time.
You’ll want to find a company that is professional, safe, and reliable. Driving can easily become dangerous and complicated. The last thing you need to worry about is hiring a private driver who does not exceed your expectations.
If you’re looking at different companies, there are a series of questions you should be asking each of them before deciding on who to hire. This will help you find the right private driver service.
Keep reading to learn more.
1. How Experienced Are the Drivers?
With any other service in life, years of experience are a good sign. This is no different from the driving companies you’re looking at. They should have drivers that are not only experienced but who can provide great customer service.
Check to see if the drivers have any traffic violations on their record. Specifically, speeding tickets or DUI’s could be a red flag that indicates the driver lacks responsibility. You can talk to the company and see what the driving history is for their drivers.
The ideal private driver for hire should professionally conduct themselves around clients and be reliable as well.
2. What Are the Safety Precautions Taken?
With the number of fatal car accidents per year, you don’t want to take any risks with the company you go with, especially if you are specifically looking for a private family driver.
Find out what makes a company safe to book with by ensuring they have qualified chauffeurs and well-maintained vehicles. This means hiring a company with cars that are equipped with safety equipment.
If you’re renting a bus or limo, there should be reliable seatbelts, a solid navigation system, and other features that will make you feel good about riding in them. You should also inquire about any first aid kits or spare tires in the car.
A reputable company will be happy to provide you with the details of their safety features.
3. How Are Your Cars Maintained?
Before you sign a contract, be sure to look at the cars in the company’s fleet. Try to do a tour so you can see which vehicles you’re interested in renting. You can also take this opportunity to ask about the price differences between each car.
You should also ask upfront how often the company has had its cars looked at by professionals. The right company has a regular maintenance schedule. This ensures that their vehicles are in the best shape possible.
If you’re hiring a private chauffeur service, you don’t want them to pull up in a vehicle that is in poor condition. That’s why it’s important to ask how a company’s cars are maintained.
4. How Much Will It Cost?
Budget is always going to be a factor in any service that you’re looking for. One of the questions you were probably going to ask, but it’s included for good measure, is how much the service will cost. If you’re deciding between different companies, this could be the tiebreaker.
Find out what they’ll charge you to use their service and what things are considered when the cost is configured. The price might be affected by the car’s size, the duration of the rental, the distance of travel, group size, and any additional add-ons.
Knowing how much it will cost ahead of time will save you from a headache down the line.
5. What Is the Billing Procedure?
The company you choose should make hiring them a breeze. From the moment you sign a contract to the time you pay your bill. Although not as crucial as the other questions, asking about a billing procedure can give you an insight into a company’s communication method and convenience.
Take note of how the company communicates with you from the beginning. See if they’re taking the time to answer your questions or if it feels rushed. This may seem like a small detail, but it’s important.
Once your trip is complete, you should receive an accurate bill within 24 hours. There should be no surprise expenses or frustrating hoops to jump.
6. Can You Show Me Some Reviews?
The best indicator of a good company is if they have plenty of high ratings. Especially if it’s across different platforms, this proves that they have experience with many customers and that they’ve excelled in their services.
If a company has few or mainly negative reviews, it’s time to discuss it with them. Trust your instinct. If it feels off, it probably isn’t the right choice for you.
Regardless of if you’re looking for private driving or motorcoach services, good reviews are something you can rely on.
7. What Are Your Cancellation Policies?
Plans change, and you don’t want to be caught in a situation where you are stuck with a hefty bill even if you don’t use the service. That’s why it’s good to check with the company and see their change and cancellation policies.
Be sure to review it and see if they offer the type of flexibility you need. This can mean the difference between a company you hire and one you dismiss.
Hiring a Private Driver
When it comes to you and your loved one’s safety, there’s no such thing as being too prepared. If you’re looking at different companies to hire a private driver, it can be tricky deciding which is the best option.
Instead of immediately hiring the first option you come across, take the time to ask these seven questions. The right company will give you answers that prove their efficiency and reliability. This will give you peace of mind that’s hard to beat.
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