HOW TO HIRE · VEHICLES & TRANSPORT · CHECKED OCTOBER 2026
How to hire a chauffeur in Ireland
The checks, the questions and the paperwork.
A chauffeur service in Ireland costs €80–€150 per hour, typically around €110. Here is how to check that in a minute, what to ask before you book, and what you must be handed when the job is done.
- Search and compare — no account needed
- Nearest to you first
- One score from Google, Trustpilot and Locufy reviews
THE 60-SECOND VERSION
Hiring a chauffeur in five steps
- Are you a trader, and can I see that in writing?No register covers chauffeur work, so trader status is what your consumer rights hang on — city Tours — some chauffeur services offer city tours, allowing clients to explore local attractions comfortably.
- How does type of vehicle change the price?Specialist equipment has to be bought, maintained and insured. — ask before the quote rather than after.
- How does distance traveled change the price?Dublin and the larger towns run above the rest of the country. — ask before the quote rather than after.
- How does duration of the service change the price?Time on the job is the largest part of the price. — ask before the quote rather than after.
- What is not included?Special Occasions — chauffeur services are popular for special occasions such as weddings, proms, and anniversaries — get the exclusions named in the quote, because a chauffeur job is priced on what was agreed and not on what was assumed.
BEFORE YOU BOOK
Check before you book
No register applies
NO REGISTER APPLIES TO MECHANICS IN IRELAND — anyone may repair a car. The statutory thing is the NCT, which is carried out by the national testing service and not by a garage, so a garage cannot issue one. SIMI membership is a trade association rather than a licence, and it gives you a complaints route.
Look for the trader badge and the ID-checked badge on the Locufy profile — both are checked by us, not claimed by the provider.
What to check instead
Motor trade insurance covering your car while it is in their custody, which is separate from their public liability; A written estimate before work starts, and a call before any extra work; Whether parts are new, reconditioned or used, named on the invoice; The guarantee on parts and on labour, separately, in writing; Whether diagnosis is charged separately and whether it is credited against the repair; For a pre-purchase inspection, that the inspector is independent of the seller.
Ask for each of these before you agree a price, and get the answers in the same message as the quote.
Insurance
Expect public liability and motor trade cover for vehicles in their custody. From a company, ask for the insurer, the limit and the VAT number, and ask who actually attends: the team that turns up may be employed, subcontracted or both, and only one of those is supervised by the firm you are paying.
Ask to see the current certificate of insurance — the insurer's name, the limit and the date it runs to.
Trader or private seller
Under the Consumer Rights Act 2022 a trader must tell you they are a trader, and your consumer rights — work carried out with reasonable skill and care, and a cooling-off period on a contract agreed in your home or online — apply to traders and not to private sellers. On Locufy the trader status is shown on the profile.
Look for the trader badge on the Locufy profile, and ask anyone else for it in writing before you agree a price.
VAT
VAT at 23%, the standard rate Revenue publishes for this service. Ask whether the price you were given includes it. A trader under the €42,500 registration threshold does not charge it; one over it must, and must show it separately.
Ask whether the figure you were given includes it, and for the VAT number if they are registered — Revenue publishes the rate for this service. revenue.ie →
A good answer: No register covers chauffeur work, so trader status is what your consumer rights hang on — city Tours — some chauffeur services offer city tours, allowing clients to explore local attractions comfortably.
A good answer: Specialist equipment has to be bought, maintained and insured. — ask before the quote rather than after.
A good answer: Dublin and the larger towns run above the rest of the country. — ask before the quote rather than after.
A good answer: Time on the job is the largest part of the price. — ask before the quote rather than after.
A good answer: Special Occasions — chauffeur services are popular for special occasions such as weddings, proms, and anniversaries — get the exclusions named in the quote, because a chauffeur job is priced on what was agreed and not on what was assumed.
A good answer: Expect public liability and motor trade cover for vehicles in their custody — airport Transfers — chauffeur services often include airport transfers, providing a smooth and comfortable ride to and from the airport.
A good answer: A written scope and a price before the chauffeur starts, and an itemised invoice after — sightseeing Tours — guided transportation services for tourists looking to explore local attractions.
Getting the quote right
- Type of vehicle — specialist equipment has to be bought, maintained and insured.
- Distance traveled — Dublin and the larger towns run above the rest of the country.
- Duration of the service — time on the job is the largest part of the price.
- Any additional amenities provided — it is where estimates most often turn out to be wrong.
- In writing before anyone starts — a message on Locufy counts
- What is NOT included, named
- Who actually attends, and whether they are employed or subcontracted
- The VAT number, and whether it checks out on the Revenue register
Walk away if
- They will not talk about it: type of vehicle — specialist equipment has to be bought, maintained and insured
- They will not talk about it: distance traveled — Dublin and the larger towns run above the rest of the country
- They will not talk about it: duration of the service — time on the job is the largest part of the price
- A price for the chauffeur before anyone has asked the size, the access or the condition of what they are working on
- Cash only, or a large deposit before anything at all has started
- No written quote, or one that moves once the chauffeur has begun
What a chauffeur costs: €80–€150 per hour
Most chauffeurs quote the job rather than the hour; the hourly rate is what the small jobs are priced from. Airport transfers and Corporate chauffeur each carry their own band. Chauffeur Service price guide →
Guide prices compiled by the Locufy team from published Irish and UK provider price lists and 2026/27 cost guides. Updated 2026.
KNOW WHAT TO LOOK FOR? NOW FIND ONE
Chauffeurs near you, with the badges that matter shown
ID checked, trader status and one score from every review — on the card, before you message anyone. Nearest first. No account needed to look.
Or post the job free and let them come to you, or book by the hour.
- Look firstType of vehicle — specialist equipment has to be bought, maintained and insured — that is what the chauffeur is judging on the first visit, and a price given without it is a guess.
- Agree what is being doneDistance traveled — Dublin and the larger towns run above the rest of the country — put in writing before anyone starts, because it is the document you both read back at the end.
- The work itselfDuration of the service — time on the job is the largest part of the price — and anything found on the day that was not in that is priced before it is started.
- Check it togetherAny additional amenities provided — it is where estimates most often turn out to be wrong — walked against the written scope rather than against the feeling of it, while the chauffeur is still there.
- What you are handedThe itemised invoice and any guarantee on the workmanship and the parts, complexity of the journey — harder work needs better tools and more setting up.
- Airport Transfers
- Chauffeur services often include airport transfers, providing a smooth and comfortable ride to and from the airport.
- Special Occasions
- Chauffeur services are popular for special occasions such as weddings, proms, and anniversaries.
- City Tours
- Some chauffeur services offer city tours, allowing clients to explore local attractions comfortably.
- Corporate Chauffeur
- Providing transportation for business professionals attending meetings or conferences.
- Event Transportation
- Arranging transport for special occasions such as weddings, parties, or concerts.
- Long-Distance Travel
- Offering chauffeur services for journeys beyond the local area, ideal for road trips or business trips.
AFTER
When the job is done
Hiring a chauffeur: questions people ask
The cost can vary based on factors such as the type of vehicle, the distance traveled, and the duration of the service. Additional amenities like refreshments or special requests may also affect the price.
Chauffeur services can typically be booked for as short as one hour or for extended periods, depending on your needs. Many companies offer packages for half-day or full-day bookings.
While chauffeur services do not require specialised qualifications, drivers should possess a valid driving license and often undergo background checks for safety. Professionalism and experience are key attributes.
Many chauffeur services offer same-day bookings, but availability may vary. It’s advisable to book in advance, especially during peak times or for special events.
Chauffeur services generally do not cover costs such as tolls, parking fees, or fuel surcharges. Additionally, services like guided tours or extensive wait times may incur extra charges.
NO REGISTER APPLIES TO MECHANICS IN IRELAND — anyone may repair a car. The statutory thing is the NCT, which is carried out by the national testing service and not by a garage, so a garage cannot issue one. SIMI membership is a trade association rather than a licence, and it gives you a complaints route.
MORE GUIDES