New professional body gets into gear

Tue 22 Jan 2008

A new institute has formed to support workers who make their living 'on the road'.

The Institute of Professional Drivers and Chauffeurs (IoPDC) represents the quarter of a million people whose job is driving.

"Our primary focus is directed at those running executive car services and chauffeurs," said director Adrian Seymour.

"However, we also aim to provide full support for professional drivers in all sectors with the principle aim of improving the professionalism of the service they offer to their customers," Mr Seymour added.

The IoPDC hopes to offer its members driver training, online support and a new connection with Mercedes-Benz, whose corporate sales department provides an extensive chauffer programme.

The institute has estimated licensed drivers carry over one billion fares per year and travel 19.5 billion miles.

Commercial drivers have to maintain logs of their hours worked and take compulsory rest breaks to help prevent fatigue.