| 
Background Checks
All Chauffeurs for Smart Cars must have a City of Chicago
Livery license. To obtain this license, the city does a thorough
criminal background check at the local, state and federal levels.
Fingerprints are also utilized in this investigation. Failure or
past conviction prevents licensing.
Driving Records
There is a Motor Vehicle Reports(MVR) and court approved
MVR. We require the Court approved MVR as it includes ALL incidents.
This report is then forwarded to the insuarance agencies who then
utilize their own ‘litmus test’ before accepting the
Chauffeur as insureable.
Licensing
There are two licenses required in the Chicago area. The
first is a license for the vehicle itself. To operate in an unencumbered
fashion in Chicago, the vehicle is required to have a 4 digit livery
‘LY’ plate beginning with a ‘7’ or ‘8’.
In addition, the driver is required to have the City of Chicago
Livery Operator’s License.
Language Requirements
Although we welcome any capable individual as a Chauffeur
(irrespective of race, religion, sexual orientation…), we
do have certain minimum requirements. One of these is that the English
language skill be more than adequate for company communications
and discussions with passengers in the vehicle. The fact that they
speak other languages is a plus, especially when providing services
to customers with the same background.
Drug Testing
Obtaining a City of Chicago Livery license also requires
a Drug Test. In addition to this test, we test randomly every year.
In-House Training
Smart has developed a two-day training program. This program
includes a 150 page manual. Some of the topics covered include:
» Communications
» Pricing
» Vouchers
» Chauffeur Preparation
- Health, Hygiene, Dress code, Weather, Directions and Vehicle
Inspections Tools of the Trade
» The Ride
- Conversations, Routing & Requests
- Handling Problems
- Customer Service
» Safe and Defensive Driving – as
taught in the Smith Defensive Driving School
» Codes of Conduct
» Accident Procedures
» Landmark Knowledge & Map Reading Ability
» Tests
- Written Test: This is a 175 question examination that includes
25 questions on their safe driving training. 80% correct is required
for passing.
- Driving Test: This is an actual driving test administered by
one of our senior Chauffeurs. Chauffeur is rated on defensive
driving techniques, knowledge of the ‘rules of the road’,
knowledge of map reading and general professionalism behind the
wheel.
|
