Driving is often considered a means to an end, a practical and necessary mode of transportation to get from point A to point B. However, for some individuals, driving is more than just a necessity, it’s a passion. For those who love the thrill of driving, a career as a driver can be one of the most exciting and rewarding careers available. Whether it’s racing at high speeds, working in a job as a vehicle test driver, or the challenge of navigating through tough terrains, there are many exhilarating career paths available to those who love to drive.
In this article, we teamed up with experts from job aggregator Jooble to take a closer look at 5 adrenaline-fueled opportunities available to those who want to turn their passion for driving into an exciting career.
What are driving jobs?
Driving jobs are occupations where drivers use their distinctive driving skills to perform specific types of driving. Some driving professionals assist automakers in testing their vehicles, while others apply their unique driving skills to thrill and entertain their audience.
The specific duties, responsibilities, and requirements can vary greatly depending on the type of driving job and industry. However, all professional driving jobs involve some form of specialized knowledge, training, and skill.
For those who love to drive and are looking for a career that will keep them on the edge of their seat, here are 5 exciting driving jobs that are well worth exploring:
- Race Car Driver
Becoming a race car driver is considered by many to be the ultimate in driving professions. Driving at high speed and pushing a vehicle to its limits can be a thrilling experience for those addicted to speed. However, joining the rarefied ranks of successful race car drivers takes a lot of money, serious commitment, and a ton of talent.
As a race car driver, you will need to drive a high-performance vehicle at frightening speeds. Additionally, you might be required to interact with sponsors and make public appearances in order to build your brand. You will also be required to collaborate with race car engineers to enhance your vehicle’s performance and test all new modifications.
The necessary permits for driving race cars, many years of experience competing in racing, and a proven track record of wins, are all requirements for permanent employment as a racing driver. In order to gain experience, many racing drivers start out racing go-karts and progress to bigger and more powerful vehicles.
- Factory Test driver
New cars are usually required to go through a series of rigorous tests before leaving the manufacturing line and being released for sale to the general public. The professionals responsible for carrying out these tests are automotive test drivers. The job of the factory test river is to push new models to the limit and share their feedback with the relevant designers and engineers. They test future vehicle prototypes, give their input on the design features of the car, and test the overall performance of the vehicle by driving in various environments. They are required to create reports that cover every area of the car’s performance.
These drivers are typically experts who have spent many years driving professionally. However, it is possible to get a job as a factory test driver if you have a college degree in automotive engineering or if you have worked in some type of automobile industry for a considerable amount of time.
- Stunt driver
Vehicle stunts are a common feature of many action movies and TV shows that require high-speed car chases or spectacular car crashes. Stunt driving is also used for stunt shows and demonstrations, often drawing in large enthusiastic audiences.
To become a stunt driver, you need to be in excellent physical shape, have a fondness for flirting with danger, and have nerves of steel. Study the chase scenes from movies to learn how they were put together and watch documentaries about stunt driving to gain insight into what being a stunt driver involves.
Stunt drivers usually start out by attending a stunt driving course, and frequently have extensive racing experience. There are more employment options available to drivers who have experience driving a range of vehicles, including motorcycles, quad bikes, trucks, etc.
- Ice Road truck driver
During the winter, ice road truckers transport cargo over ice, at times in impossible weather conditions. In this line of work, you’ll be required to travel to isolated settlements and often work in severe, frigid winter climates like Alaska and Canada. Ice-road truckers drive trucks with heavy cargoes, hauling supplies that need to be delivered to remote places that are not connected by conventional roads, or where regular roads are impassable due to heavy snowfall and icy conditions. An ice road may cross frozen lakes and rivers, which makes ice-road trucking an extremely dangerous occupation. However, because of the challenging conditions and ever-present dangers involved, these truckers are extremely well paid.
The requirements for becoming an ice road trucker are a commercial driver’s license (CDL) as well as the skill (and temperament) to drive in extremely harsh and dangerous winter weather conditions. You might need to collaborate with a seasoned ice-road trucker to gain the necessary experience for this dangerous job.
- Chauffeur
Being a chauffeur can be an excellent career choice if you enjoy driving but would prefer to do so in a calm, elegant style. The benefits of the work include driving expensive, luxurious automobiles and meeting interesting people.
Chauffeurs typically need to be smartly dressed and well-groomed, as well as courteous, discreet, and sensitive to their client’s needs. Chauffeurs must ensure that their passengers’ experiences are always as pleasurable and trouble-free as possible.
Driving posh cars while wearing white gloves may sound like fun, but you may also be tasked with keeping the vehicle spotlessly clean and polished, making sure it’s well maintained and mechanically sound, and that all registrations and insurances are up to date.
Chauffeurs are employed by airports, limo agencies, businesses, and private individuals.
Final thoughts
Whether you’re a seasoned driver or just starting out, there are many exciting career paths available to drivers who are passionate about driving. However, make sure you hone your driving skills and gain the experience necessary in order to pursue any of these occupations.
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In this article, we take a closer look at 5 adrenaline-fueled opportunities available to those who want to turn their passion for driving into an exciting career.