A personal driver is someone employed to provide transportation services to an individual or a family. They are in charge of transporting them to and from appointments, meetings, social gatherings, and errands.
Their primary responsibility is to arrive at their destination with the fewest number of wrong or missed turns, even in poor traffic conditions.
To ensure this, every personal driver must constantly arrange routes, consider potential detours, and keep an eye on traffic volume.
Let’s take a quick look at New Sarawak Tribune’s interview with Mohd Khaizir Ibrahim, a personal driver for a notable individual, to gain insight into the type of work he does.
Q: Could you briefly describe your very first experiences when you started working?
A: I began serving as a personal driver for the chairman of a private company on June 17, 2012.
I still recall my employer starting to panic when I unexpectedly braked at a traffic light during the test drive on my first day of work.
I apologised to him and explained that I was nervous because I had never driven a luxurious vehicle before.
What requirements do you think make someone a good driver?
Among the most essential qualities that a private driver should possess are strong discipline, punctuality, responsibility, willingness to sacrifice time, familiarity with local roads, neatness and cleanliness, honesty, and trustworthiness.
Every job has unique difficulties. What difficulties do you personally encounter in your role as a VIP personal driver?
As I mentioned earlier, being willing to sacrifice time, even on days off or holidays, is a crucial requirement for any personal driver. For example, since my employer will be attending Hari Raya open houses, I must work on those days.
I am deeply grateful to my wife, Nazariah Nong Chik, for understanding the demands of my job.
However, my biggest challenge is ensuring my employer’s safety. Besides being responsible for my own life, it is my duty as a driver to ensure the safety of my passengers. Therefore, I always maintain focus on the road and drive cautiously.
Another struggle for me is maintaining concentration while driving, especially during challenging situations.
I vividly remember the moment I received news of my grandmother’s passing while I was at work. Being really close to my grandparents, the thought of it brought me overwhelming sadness and worry.
However, I instantly reminded myself that as a professional whose job directly impacts people’s lives, I must remain focused. Despite the emotional turmoil, I concentrated on my work.
At the end of the day, my employer granted me three days of leave and offered some pocket money.
What aspects of your work appeal most to you?
In addition to serving as a driver for my employer and his family, I am occasionally tasked with looking after his visiting friends in Kuching.
Through these assignments, I have had numerous encounters with individuals from various countries, including Japan, China, Australia, the United Kingdom, Indonesia, Germany, and more. Each person brings a unique perspective, and I have learned a great deal from them.
Furthermore, working closely with a well-known individual has expanded my network of driver relationships. One veteran driver, in particular, imparted valuable insights into navigating Kuching’s roadways.
What advice would you provide to someone looking to enter the same field?
The safety of both yourself and your employer is very important. Therefore, before embarking on any journey, ensure the car is in good condition, paying particular attention to the tires.
As drivers, we must always be prepared to find alternate routes if heavy traffic disrupts our regular routes.
Additionally, when visiting unfamiliar locations, take a few days to thoroughly inspect the area and surrounding streets.
Moreover, avoid making excuses if the employer requests extra time, as completing tasks promptly will undoubtedly be appreciated.
Lastly, foster a positive attitude towards your job and employer; in turn, your employer will undoubtedly take care of you.
Being a personal driver is, in my opinion, the biggest responsibility in my workplace, as I am accountable for the safety of the person in the highest position.
I want to take this opportunity to express my gratitude to my employer and his family, the Wees, who always look out for me.
They have never belittled me, even though I am merely their personal driver. They truly consider me one of their own, and they consistently stand by me to help when I am ill or facing difficulties.
Regardless of our positions, I believe we should love what we do and work hard at it, as it provides the means to support our families.
InsyaAllah, I will continue to serve the Wee family if I am blessed with good health and a long life.
