what is a chauffeur?
As a chauffeur, you transport people or goods along a designated route. You carry passengers in a bus, taxi, or limousine. You also assist with getting in and out of the vehicle. Typically, you transfer goods in a lorry. Occasionally, you may need to load and unload the cargo. Being a chauffeur is a highly responsible role: you ensure everything arrives safely and on time. If you encounter a breakdown on route, you handle minor repairs yourself. You make sure your vehicle is back on the road as quickly as possible. As a chauffeur, many opportunities are open to you. You could work for various companies across different industries. Find out more about the profession of a chauffeur and discover attractive job opportunities.
working as a chauffeur.
Chauffeurs have petrol in their veins and electricity flowing through their veins. All day long, you’re out and about as a chauffeur, whether in a car or a commercial vehicle. Thanks to your passion, everything runs smoothly. But being a professional chauffeur involves more than just holding the steering wheel. Want to work as a chauffeur and find out more? Keep reading to discover what’s in store for you.
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your area of responsibility
Your duties as a chauffeur vary depending on whether you are transporting passengers or goods. However, there are basic tasks that apply to all types of chauffeurs:
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Driving: Your most important task as a chauffeur is, of course, driving. Whether in a car, bus, or lorry, you’re always on the move. This could be within a city, a region, across the country, or internationally. Wherever you’re driving, you do it exceptionally well.
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Navigate safely: Without clever route planning, you won’t reach your destination quickly. If you’re travelling the same route every day, you’ll know all the bottlenecks and can avoid them. On longer or international journeys, you use your sat-nav. This helps you steer clear of roadworks and traffic jams, ensuring you arrive on time with minimal delay. Being safe on the road also means sticking to all traffic rules and driving considerately. That way, you’ll be well-informed and confident on your journey.
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Comprehensive care: Whether you're responsible for passenger or freight transport, you take care of everything. You assist your passengers with getting on and off the vehicle. When needed, you even load and unload luggage. As a lorry chauffeur, you load and unload the vehicle professionally. This also includes ensuring that your cargo is properly secured. You check the transport documents and handle customs clearance if necessary. As a chauffeur, you keep everything under control.
- Treat with care: Your vehicle is your working tool, on which you rely every day. Of course, you handle it with care. You keep your car or commercial vehicle clean and ensure regular maintenance. You fix minor issues yourself. This way, both your vehicle and you remain always ready for work.
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who are your colleagues?
As a chauffeur, your primary role is sitting behind the wheel, which might seem like a solitary job. However, that's not quite the case. If you work for a company and drive the board members or managing directors, you'll be interacting with colleagues from the HR department. They assign you and your chauffeur colleagues to different tasks. Sometimes, you'll also be contacted by the secretarial staff or assistants.
Every bus chauffeur and truck chauffeur has colleagues they work alongside. They take turns and cover for each other when someone is unavailable. In freight transport, you'll collaborate with logistics colleagues. The dispatcher assigns you your routes. Occasionally, you'll also work with warehouse staff who receive your deliveries.
types of chauffeurs.
Do you love sitting behind the wheel and being on the move every day? Then you have plenty of options to pursue your career. For example, specialise as a:
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Chef chauffeur: As a chef chauffeur, you primarily transport senior executives of a company or federal councilors. Running small errands also falls within your responsibilities. Essentially, you are a versatile all-rounder, responsible for route planning, punctuality, and the well-being of the executives. You handle all this brilliantly.
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Bus chauffeur: A versatile profession awaits you as a bus chauffeur. You will transport large groups of passengers in trolleybuses, trams, and coaches. Decide for yourself whether you want to work in the city, countryside, or internationally. Wherever you drive, you’ll ensure your group reaches their destination safely and comfortably.
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Taxi chauffeur: Like bus chauffeurs, taxi chauffeurs take their passengers to their destination, but usually with smaller groups. For example, you might be hired to drive passengers to and from the airport or train station. You also take care of their luggage. Sometimes, you ensure that passengers who are unwell or unable to travel safely arrive home safely.
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Truck chauffeur: Your role as a truck chauffeur is to transport goods safely and on time to their destination. This often involves covering long distances within Switzerland or abroad. You know how to handle the cargo entrusted to you properly.
- Courier chauffeur: As a courier chauffeur or delivery person, packages are your world. Whatever people order online that can fit into a parcel, you deliver it. This could be groceries, electronics, or medicines. You're specialised in ensuring that the deliveries arrive safely. As a courier chauffeur, you might work for the postal service or private delivery companies.
salary as a chauffeur.
Your gross salary as a chauffeur depends on your specialisation. Additionally, it plays a significant role where and for whom you work. Broadly speaking, you can expect an entry-level salary of around 56,000 CHF per year. This equates to a gross monthly salary of approximately 4,600 CHF. Larger companies often pay you a 13th month’s salary as a chauffeur. As a chauffeur, you don’t have regular working hours; you work when you are needed. If you are on duty at night, at weekends, or on public holidays, you will receive additional pay in accordance with legal regulations.
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how much do I earn as a chauffeur in a permanent position?
In a permanent position, you work as a chauffeur for 42.5 hours a week. Your working hours are usually irregular. Due to the various specialisations, there is a wide range of gross salaries. On average, they range from about CHF 25,400 to CHF 90,000 per year. When divided into 12 monthly payments, this amounts to between CHF 2,100 and CHF 7,500. As a truck chauffeur, for example, you can expect a median salary of around CHF 5,300 per month. This equates to an annual gross income of approximately CHF 62,400. In addition, many employers pay a 13th month’s salary and shift allowances. Some companies also offer a bonus. The highest earnings as a chauffeur are typically in the Greater Zurich area or Basel. The lowest are in the border regions around Aargau and Schaffhausen, where foreign competition is strong and chauffeurs often earn less.
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in which industry do I earn the most as a chauffeur?
Your specialisation has a significant impact on your gross salary. Additionally, it also matters where you work. For example, as a chauffeur, the additional responsibilities you have can make a difference. If you drive a corporate executive in a company car and are also responsible for personal protection, your gross salary is likely to be in the higher range and can exceed the threshold of £80,000 with the 13th month’s pay. As a bus chauffeur for public transport companies, your annual gross salary also falls within this range. Truck chauffeurs at large freight companies involved in international logistics tend to earn considerably more than those working regionally. For taxi chauffeurs, there is a wide variation. If you operate a dispatch-based taxi and receive your assignments through a control centre, your monthly earnings are higher than those of entry-level taxis at train stations and airports.
vocational training and further education as a chauffeur.
As a chauffeur, you need a driving licence. If you are transporting people, an additional certificate of competence for passenger transport is required. truck chauffeurs, on the other hand, need a certificate of competence for freight transport. To obtain this, you must pass an examination in accordance with the chauffeur licensing ordinance (CZV). You also have the opportunity to specialise: as a public transport chauffeur, taxi chauffeur, or road freight transport specialist. All three professions are completed with a Swiss federal certificate of competence (EFZ). Truck chauffeurs must also demonstrate the appropriate driving licence categories B/C/CE. As a chauffeur, your certificate of competence (licence 95) is valid for five years. Due to the responsible nature of this profession, ongoing training is mandatory. Once you have completed this, your licence will be renewed. For bus chauffeurs, there are various further training options available. Larger transport companies often offer courses for tram chauffeurs or narrow-gauge railway operators. Truck chauffeurs can also pursue further training to become a Transport and Logistics Dispatcher EFZ. In this role, you will then assign chauffeurs using modern digital systems.
applying as a chauffeur.
As a chauffeur, you are versatile in your roles. Depending on your specialisation, you might work for ride-hailing services, large corporations, private individuals, taxi dispatch centres, or hotels. Whatever type of employer you prefer, you’ll find them through Randstad. Are you looking for a position with growth potential? You’ll find attractive opportunities right here.
jobs for career changers as chauffeurs.
Companies typically prefer applicants with a basic education qualification, such as an EFZ. However, you can also stand out as a career changer from related fields. For example, military motor chauffeurs who have completed recruit training are in demand. Additionally, your chances increase if you come from other professional backgrounds. You might, for instance, shorten your apprenticeship by having an EFA or EFZ qualification. If you'd like to find out more, simply contact the local vocational training authority. Many companies also offer intensive training programmes specifically for truck chauffeurs. In about six months, you can obtain your driving licence and skills certificate. During this time, you'll also gain practical experience. In return, you'll commit to working for the company for a few years. Alternatively, you can achieve the EFZ qualification with five years of professional experience as a chauffeur.
working as a chauffeur at feldschlösschen.
Marc shows you his work and how you can also get started as a chauffeur.
career opportunities as a chauffeur.
As a chauffeur, you have numerous opportunities to develop your skills further. For example, you can broaden your horizons by obtaining additional driving licences. As a chief chauffeur, a Category B licence is sufficient for cars with a total weight of up to 3,500 kilograms and no more than eight seats. HGV chauffeurs need a category C licence for vehicles over 3,500 kilograms. If you only tow a trailer, Category C is enough; for two trailers, you’ll need a Category CE. As a bus chauffeur, you would obtain a category D licence, which allows you to carry more than eight passengers. If you also tow a trailer weighing more than 750 kilograms, you’ll require a category DE licence. Interested in advancing your career as a chauffeur? Take a look at our tips.
competencies as a chauffeur.
Your most important skill as a chauffeur is quite simply: being able to drive well. You feel completely at ease behind the wheel and reliably get passengers or goods to their destination. Other useful qualities include:
- Good manners: Whether you're dealing with passengers or clients, always be friendly and respectful. This makes interactions smoother and helps you become a valued chauffeur.
- Reliability: You can be trusted. You know the traffic rules and stay up-to-date when there are traffic disruptions. Naturally, you stick to timetables and always arrive on time for your shift. Passengers, employers, and customers rely on you.
- Discretion: As a chauffeur, you get to know quite a lot, whether you're transporting important individuals or delivering goods to customers. One of your most important virtues is that you do not share any information about passengers or clients. You can be relied upon to keep things confidential.
benefits of working as a chauffeur at randstad.
There are many good reasons to work as a chauffeur at Randstad:
✓ exciting jobs at well-known companies
✓ a reliable point of contact whenever you need one, personalised advice matters
✓ Attractive employment conditions and good social benefits
✓ further education courses and personal development opportunities
✓ clear information in the myRandstad app
✓ do you have a fixed-term contract? Often, there’s the opportunity to secure a permanent position afterwards. Many well-known companies also recruit their staff directly through Randstad.
your training budget as a chauffeur at randstad.
If you work as a chauffeur for Randstad, you have access to training courses. As part of the TempTraining programme from swissstaffing, you can attend various training sessions. You will be reimbursed for the course fees later, provided you pass the course exam. Your consultant from Randstad is there to support you if you have any questions. This way, you can acquire additional language skills or job-specific knowledge all during your working hours as a chauffeur.
application tips for chauffeur at randstad.
Have you found your dream job as a chauffeur? It’s not just qualifications and certificates that determine the success of your applications. Careful, error-free, and personalised documents will help you in your job search. Here are a few useful tips to optimise your chances:
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1. find a position as a chauffeur.
Search through Randstad job vacancies. If you can't find a position that’s exactly right for you, you’re still welcome to get in touch with us personally, without any obligation, or to create a Randstad profile.
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2. applying as a chauffeur
The job advertisement continues right away: apply online, give us a call, or send us an email.
Make sure your documents are complete:
✓ CV with a photo
✓ work references and diplomas
Don’t have a CV yet, or only an outdated version? Create a new one using a free online template. -
3. preparing for a job interview as a chauffeur
A good preparation will help you stay calm during the interview as a chauffeur.
Here are some tips for your job interview.
frequently asked questions.
Questions and answers about the job as a chauffeur. Read more about the job here.
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what does a chauffeur do?
As a chauffeur, you ensure that people or goods arrive safely at their destination. This could be in a car, bus, lorry, or taxi. However, your role isn’t limited to just driving. Depending on your specialisation, you may assist with passengers getting in and out or with loading and unloading. Sometimes, you also take on courier services. Your vehicle is your most important work tool, which you look after and maintain. You also handle minor repairs yourself. Find out more about your responsibilities as a chauffeur here.
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how much do I earn as a chauffeur?
Your gross salary as a chauffeur primarily depends on your specialisation. The employer and location also play a significant role. The range is quite broad. So, your annual gross income can be between 25,400 and 90,000 CHF. This translates to roughly 2,100 to 7,500 CHF per month over 12 months. Additional benefits, such as a 13th month’s salary, are usually offered by larger companies. You can increase your annual gross earnings through shift allowances. Read more here about your earning potential as a chauffeur.
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is being a chauffeur a good profession?
If you're looking for an interesting and varied career, working as a chauffeur could be just the job for you. You play an important role in the transportation industry. After all, you're in demand when it comes to safely getting people or goods to their destination. Want to find out more about what being a chauffeur involves? Keep reading here.
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is it difficult to be a chauffeur?
A chauffeur is a responsible profession. To ensure that people or goods arrive safely, you need to navigate cleverly and stick to your schedule. At the same time, the job often brings surprises. For example, a board meeting might run longer than expected, causing a delay in departure. Your lorry might break down on the road, and you'll need assistance. This makes the role of a chauffeur varied and interesting boredom simply doesn’t stand a chance. Everything you need to know about the profession of a chauffeur can be found here.
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do you need experience to become a chauffeur?
As a chauffeur, your primary responsibility is to drive well and safely. If you enjoy being behind the wheel and often drive in your free time, that's already a good starting point. For those switching careers, you need five years of professional experience to qualify as a licensed chauffeur. If a company trains you as a lorry chauffeur, you'll gain practical experience through your apprenticeship. Find out more about training and further education for chauffeurs on this page.
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what requirements do I need to meet to become a chauffeur?
As a chauffeur, you need a driving licence and a competence certificate. The category of your driving licence depends on the vehicle you operate. For a car, category B is sufficient; a lorry requires category C or CE, and for a bus, you need category D. Additionally, you must pass a CZV exam to obtain a competence certificate for passenger or freight transport. The competence certificate is valid for five years. If you meet your ongoing training requirements, it can be renewed for another five years. Discover our offers for chauffeurs here.
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how do I apply for a vacant chauffeur position?
Your application for a chauffeur position is straightforward: at Randstad, you create a profile and browse our job board for available roles nearby. Have you found a suitable vacancy? Then send us your cover letter along with your CV and certificates. Need help with your application? Feel free to take a look at our application tips for guidance.
