How to Become a Chauffeur in Victoria, Australia: A Step-by-Step Guide
For those with a passion for driving, professionalism, and exceptional service, becoming a chauffeur in Victoria offers a unique and rewarding career.
Whether you're drawn to the prestige of chauffeuring corporate clients or the satisfaction of providing seamless airport transfers and luxury experiences, here’s how to get started in the industry — specifically within Victoria, Australia.
I began my journey as a chauffeur at the beginning of the 2024-2025 financial year. It has been the most rewarding job I’ve ever had, and is born from a passion for providing luxury service along with letting people experience one of the best chauffeur-driven vehicles ever made.
1. Meet the Licensing Requirements in Victoria
The absolute minimum requirement for working as a chauffeur is to own a roadworthy vehicle, register a business (sole trader) and get the relevant licences to operate legally as a chauffeur in Victoria:
✅ Hold a Full Driver Licence
You’ll need a full (non-probationary) Victorian driver licence with a clean driving record.
✅ Obtain a Driver Accreditation (Commercial Passenger Vehicles Victoria - CPVV)
This is mandatory for anyone transporting passengers for a fare. To get accredited:
Application is made through the safetransport.vic.gov.au website
Pass a national police check (this is completed within the CPVV application process)
Pass a medical assessment (if required, especially if over a certain age). At the time I completed mine, they just ask whether you are medically fit to drive a vehicle, and no further questions are asked. CPVV are lax on this and I think perhaps it is due to the overwhelming number of applications.
Demonstrate good character and safe driving history
Register your vehicle as a Commercial Passenger Vehicle
👉 More info here: CPVV Driver Accreditation
✅ Register for GST
In Australia it is a legal requirement for rideshare providers such as Über or private chauffeurs to be registered for GST and to report and pay GST collected from your service. More information on the ATO website.
2. Understand the Role of a Chauffeur
Being a chauffeur is much more than simply driving a client from A to B. Try booking an Über Premier driver in Melbourne. You’ll end up in an EV sports-car with stiff suspension, driven by someone who wants to do as many jobs in as little time as possible to maximise their profits.
Chauffeur driving is a completely different approach to driving. The goal of the job is for your passengers to say “wow, what an incredible experience”, even if that experience was a silent, comfortable drive.
Some key points to be mindful of are:
Provide a high standard of personal service
If your passenger wanted a generic ride-share experience, they would book a taxi or one of the many ride-share services out there. You are their choice above the rest, so be above and beyond what they expect.
The first thing I do when we get into the limo is I explain the controls in the back for the reclining seats, seat heaters, temperature controls, massaging controls and pointing out where the Hepburn Springs water and handmade Cabosse & Feve chocolates are for their enjoyment.
As we are driving, I will notice if they are on their phone and point out where the charging cables are located. If they have arrived from a flight and they’ve said they are tired, I let them know to recline, relax, and let me know if they should need anything.
Manage time and routes with precision
Your clients are likely incredibly busy people with places to be and deadlines to meet. Make sure to plan your routes accordingly and factoring in time spent in traffic. You’ll never get timing on-point as there are so many factors to consider, but you can get a handle on trends, roads and highways to avoid and, as always, communicate with your client.
Maintaining professional appearance and etiquette
If you are a sole-trader, you are the brand. Dress how you wish people to see your business and that can either be calm cool and collected, or sophisticated, clean and professional. The way you interact with your clients will have an effect on whether they refer your services to friends and family, and how they refer to your services.
Ensure passenger comfort, privacy, and safety
Personally, I drive as if I was my own passenger. I have always been one to get car-sick from being thrown left and right and bounced around. Hard braking and fast acceleration will lead to a feeling of lack of safety; you aren’t here to set a new best lap-time at Calder Raceway.
And with regards to privacy; what happens in the limo, stays in the limo.
Representing your brand — or employer — with excellence
If you are driving for another business, they will have standards on how you conduct yourself, the cleanliness of the car, music choice etc.
3. Choose Your Vehicle Wisely
To deliver a premium experience, your vehicle should meet some minimum standards:
Luxury sedans or limousines are typical for private hire and chauffeur work. Most drivers in Melbourne are using Lexus ES and Mercedes E class vehicles, with higher end chauffeurs opting for Audi A7, Lexus LS and Mercedes S class executive sedans.
The car must be registered and road-worthy at all times.
It should be immaculately clean, comfortable, and unbranded if offering hire car services.
At Flying Fox Chauffeur, for instance, I use a meticulously maintained Lexus LS430 executive sedan — known for its reclining, heated rear seats, massaging features, drinks fridge, privacy shades, and unmatched ride quality.
Despite being a vehicle made in 2004, it has a timeless design on the exterior and interior that is built to an incredibly high standard. My limo doesn’t have any branding except for the CPV compliance sign and Melbourne Airport LVA sticker.
The other chauffeur service in my town, Castlemaine Flyer, utilises decals on some of their vehicles as advertising. Be careful going down this path as not only will decals cause permanent marking to the paint, they can also cheapen the experience by removing the high-class feel of being in a discreet, unmarked vehicle.
Be mindful of your choice in vehicle as you’ll want to consider running costs if you are purchasing instead of leasing. In my case, my LS430 recently needed a rear right wheel bearing/hub assembly which was $580 for a genuine bearing. Compared to a Mazda 6 at $180 for quality after-market
Also utilise websites like www.petrolspy.com.au and www.petrolcostcalculator.com.au for finding cheap petrol and also in assisting with pricing for long distance trips, and working out running-costs of your vehicle.
4. Register the Vehicle as a Commercial Passenger Vehicle
Every vehicle used for chauffeur work must be registered with CPVV. The process includes:
Submitting vehicle details and proof of ownership
Paying the annual registration fee
Ensuring your car complies with safety and insurance requirements
Keep in mind if you are leasing a vehicle whether or not you are allowed to register it for use as a commercial passenger vehicle / ride-share services.
5. Consider Additional Insurance
Standard car insurance doesn’t cover commercial use. You’ll want to have:
Commercial vehicle insurance (providing your ABN and GST registration status to the insurer)
Public liability insurance
Personal accident or income protection if you're self-employed
One thing to keep in mind is state-specific insurance requirements. In Victoria we have compulsory third party insurance included as part of vehicle registration provided by the Transport Accident Commission (TAC); so in the case of operating in Victoria, you have protections made available to you and your passengers under TAC.
Flying Fox Chauffeur is also a registered TAC transport service provider. As someone who has personally been in a collision as a passenger, I can empathise with my clients from the PTSD aspect of life post-accident.
6. Learn Chauffeur Etiquette and Professional Standards
While there’s no formal chauffeur school in Victoria, upskilling is crucial. Learn:
Proper dress code and grooming standards. Clothing can be tax deductible, consult with the ATO or your tax agent!
Opening doors, handling luggage, and anticipating client needs
Navigating regional areas like Castlemaine, Bendigo, or Daylesford with ease
Using discreet, professional communication
Training can come from mentorship, online courses, or on-the-job experience.
Contact Voksy If you would like mentorship from Flying Fox Chauffeur Service — no matter where you are operating as a chauffeur! Voksy@flyingfox.limo
7. Decide: Work for a Company or Go Independent?
Work for a Chauffeur Company or Ride-share provider:
Less responsibility for marketing and bookings
Steady stream of clients
Can be good for gaining experience
Start Your Own Chauffeur Business:
More flexibility and independence
Higher income potential
Requires immense effort in branding, customer service, marketing and website SEO.
Gaining work with a chauffeur company isn’t as easy as it sounds, so be mindful that your best bet may be seeking work as an independent chauffeur. Like any business, starting out is the hardest part… But it does get easier as time goes on.
8. Keep Your Standards High
The best chauffeurs are those who:
Are punctual and reliable
Know their local roads and travel times intimately
Keep their vehicles immaculate
Drive smoothly and and safely
Treat every guest as a VIP.
This is especially true in regional Victoria, where word-of-mouth and reputation are the driving force behind business failure or success.
Final Thoughts
Chauffeuring in Victoria is a career that blends service, elegance, and pride in your work. With the right licences, vehicle, personable and professional attitude, it’s a fantastic profession — especially in places like Castlemaine, Bendigo, and Daylesford, where there’s a lacking of luxury travel options.
If you're curious what it's like from the passenger seat, check out our Corporate Business Travel to see what exceptional service looks like.
