Be wary of executive limousine drivers

Seen by some as a status symbol and by others simply as a practical use of proper transportation, the executive limousine rental business has never been busier.

Whether talking about prestigious VIP brands or extravagant limousines, they continue to be favored by the rich, powerful and influential. As much as some may criticize their green credentials, it is still possible for many to make a very convincing argument that these vehicles are highly effective for people who use them as a convenient and comfortable method of getting from ‘A’ to ‘B’.

However, there is one question that is sometimes overlooked and that is the driver provided by the limo rental company.

Who drives you?

Assuming you are renting your limousine from a reputable organization with some kind of track record, you should be able to be sure that the driver in question will have all the appropriate driving qualifications.

The service provider will need to ensure that your insurance coverage is valid. Very few are likely to trust a vehicle, perhaps worth six figures, in the hands of someone who could cause them insurance trouble should a claim arise.

However, there is another characteristic of executive limousine drivers that is worth considering: their reliability.

On a typical executive trip, the driver is likely to be able to hear everything that happens between you and any other companions in the vehicle accompanying you. It can also be difficult to hide at least your share of the phone calls made.

It is true that you could ask the vehicle to stop and the driver to get out for a few minutes while you talk in complete privacy, but that is not always convenient if, for example, you are on a highway or expressway. Some vehicles may have a privacy seal between driver and passengers, but that’s not necessarily the norm.

Therefore, confidentiality and the assurance that the person driving is trustworthy will be at the forefront of some business users’ attention.

Ask questions

Fortunately, any reputable limo rental company will be well aware that this is an issue. As such, they will not hesitate to discuss with you what recruitment screening process is used in the selection of your driver.

To give you the proper reassurance, you may want to ask some of the following questions:

• What resources were used to screen the driver prior to hire?
• Did that include criminal records, credit history, and explicit reference checks from previous employers, etc?
• How long has the person been employed by the limo service provider?
• Has he or she ever been the subject of a complaint by another customer?

Any long-established professional limousine provider will have looked at all these issues and convinced themselves that the person in question is totally trustworthy and that includes in terms of maintaining confidentiality. Even so, not all companies need to be so careful with the selection of their personnel, so it is well worth asking yourself these questions for your own peace of mind.