A Companion Driver provides a personalised transport / outing option in a car or a van for anyone who does not drive or who prefers not to.

Receives details of client and transportation task; schedules job and programmes GPS if required; stops at requested locations to pick-up and set-down passengers and their baggage; chats with the client if amenable; controls lighting, heating, and ventilation for passenger comfort; observes the time, prescribed speeds, nearby traffic, travelling conditions, and signals to ensure safe and on-time arrival of passengers; collects fares or charges-back to a customer account; completes all paper or electronic-based record keeping e.g. work-time and logbook. May also: transport people who are ill to medical and other appointments; deliver personalised transport for anyone of any age with mobility issues or other disabilities (may involve use of modified vehicle, loading equipment, and safety restraints); provide additional services for seniors or people with disabilities, e.g. assists client with shopping in-store and unpacks shopping in-home; provide safe transport for children; offer site-seeing options for tourists.

• Works in a car or van constantly. Vehicles will generally be adequately heated and ventilated.
• Works in all weather and traffic conditions.

• Sedentary to medium physical demand levels.
• Driving and sitting is frequently to constantly required. Occasionally walks to assist passengers and load baggage or other goods into and out of the vehicle, or assist with shopping / outing. Drivers twist their body or neck and use mirrors frequently to observe vehicles that are following or when reversing. Frequent repetitive hand, arm, and leg/foot movements for the operation of vehicle controls. Squatting, crouching, or kneeling is not a significant feature of the job but can occur if for instance a flat tyre needs to be attended to.
• Bends, lifts, and carries occasionally when loading or unloading passenger baggage or mobility aides such as walkers. May bend, push, and pull if assisting people with disabilities in wheelchairs.
• Hand tools or equipment may be used when processing payments, e.g. pens and EFTPOS terminals, and are occasionally used when maintaining or cleaning the vehicle.
• Significant contact with water or skin irritants does not occur.
• Skills and knowledge necessary include location and route finding, concentration and decision-making, fare handling and record-keeping, and good verbal communication and interpersonal skills.

A Passenger (P) Endorsement is required. Applicants must have held a current New Zealand Full Class 1 Light Motor Vehicle Driver Licence for at least two years to get a P Endorsement. Holding an equivalent overseas licence doesn’t meet this requirement, but applicants may be able to apply for an exemption to get their overseas driving experience recognised. To make sure people are safe while using passenger services in New Zealand, a fit and proper person check will be done. This will check on things like transport-related offences, criminal convictions, and past complaints about applicants. Serious criminal convictions may prevent applicants from ever receiving a P Endorsement. Once a P Endorsement has been obtained, NZTA | Waka Kotahi use real-time data to make sure applicants continue to meet this fit and proper person criteria. If applicants have lived overseas for more than 12 months after the age of 14-years, or since their last application, they will need to have police and traffic documentation from those countries too. Applicants don’t need to provide evidence of their immigration status to NZTA. Commercial drivers must be in good health. Applicants will need to get their doctor to complete a NZTA medical certificate for them. Applicants will also need to provide proof their vision meets the standards for safe driving. Additionally, the Driver must hold a Small Passenger Service Licence (SPSL) or work for someone who holds this Licence.

There are opportunities for flexibility of movement but they are limited. Shift work is common.