It’s 9 a.m. on a Friday, and I find myself in a mirrored suite on the 31st floor of Wynn Encore Las Vegas, watching an Englishman named Andi McCann as he moves fluidly across the plush carpet.
“It’s much like dancing; when the head turns, the body follows,” he comments, pivoting his torso like a matador to face the November sun pouring through the vast windows. “Make it a continuous flow; it’s performance!”
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This isn’t a tryout for Cirque du Soleil: McCann is teaching me the technique of opening a door. A driving coach for Rolls-Royce Motor Cars since 2005, and its exclusive trainer since 2012, McCann educates chauffeurs serving wealthy individuals and tech moguls in Texas and Taipei, Saudi Arabia and Singapore.
They learn the precise, Rolls-Royce-approved techniques for loading luggage, managing umbrellas, chilling champagne, navigating security issues, and, indeed, even opening doors.
“Opening a Rolls-Royce door should be performed smoothly and in one fluid motion,” McCann explains, his refined accent as polished as his crisp white shirt. “It’s all about the coordination of legs and arms.”
While automakers like BMW AG and Mercedes-Benz Group AG race towards fully autonomous vehicles, and Elon Musk advances driverless technology with his robo-taxis, McCann operates in a wholly different realm.
He distinctly sets himself apart from the two prevailing philosophies dominating the automotive scene: the fully autonomous driving faction championed by companies like Musk’s Tesla Inc, envisioning vehicles as automated transport pods.
Read: Rolls-Royce prepares to eliminate 2,500 jobs as CEO expands efficiency initiative [Oct 2023]
Conversely, there are proponents of total immersion in driving, like Porsche AG, which promises to never forsake the manual transmission that evokes excitement in their 911 sports cars.
Rolls-Royce embraces a third perspective, recognizing that a considerable portion of its clientele will prefer the back seat over the front.
Out of an estimated 6,000 vehicles the company distributes globally each year, about 20% are bought by owners who engage chauffeurs. This figure rises even higher among purchasers of the $575,000 Phantom extended wheelbase sedan. McCann’s mission is to enhance their enjoyment of the ride, ensured by the driving professional.
“We create the world’s finest motorcars,” he asserts. “The driver is the weak link.”
Training chauffeurs may seem antiquated, but it’s increasingly significant. Part-time chauffeuring is surging worldwide, especially in Asia, where increased wealth in China and Korea has propelled Rolls-Royce’s year-on-year growth in 2023; and in the Middle East, where bespoke orders have reached unprecedented heights in both number and value, as detailed in the company’s latest annual report.
It’s not only Rolls-Royce’s elite clientele behind the wheel. On October 28, luxury chauffeuring service Blacklane GmbH secured €60 million ($65 million) in funding from investors, including a subsidiary of Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund. This Berlin-based company enables customers to connect with professional drivers through a mobile app, website, or hotline, globally.
The appeal of a chauffeur lies in the personalized attention and care they provide—a warmth and streetwise insight that no sophisticated robot could replicate.
Having a personal driver represents more than merely traveling from point A to point B; it encompasses the overall journey experience.
McCann defines a chauffeur as both a traveling concierge and a time-saving, efficiency-enhancing asset for one’s day.
Affluent individuals who seek the finest chef, massage therapist, and bodyguard also appreciate the service of one of McCann’s trainees; for them, the pinnacle of automotive luxury lies in being driven by a human. I traveled to Vegas to see if I could demonstrate my worth.
The day began with an overview of history. Standing before a screen, McCann scrolls through faded images of elegant coaches; one showcases TE Lawrence—Lawrence of Arabia—with his Silver Ghost, around 1916.
Initially, McCann explains, chauffeurs didn’t operate cars; they managed trains. The term originates from the French chauffer—meaning “to heat,” referring to the stoker who fed the fires on steam engines.
As motor vehicles gained popularity in the early 20th century, owners from Bristol to Bombay expected their stable hands and local station staff to pilot these new machines. Hence, Rolls-Royce set up academies where clients could send their stable-hands and valets to learn everything from vehicle upkeep and operation to etiquette, such as determining the appropriate seating arrangement for the lady of the house.
Many of those lessons remain pertinent today.
“Pursuing perfection is intrinsic to luxury; every action must exhibit precision, ease, professionalism, and safety,” McCann addresses our group of seven, who are about to spend two hours grasping the fundamentals before testing our driving ability at Valley of Fire State Park. This session serves as a condensed version of the invitation-only courses Rolls-Royce offers to its VIPs; fees are not disclosed publicly.
“If you’re punctual, you’re already late,” McCann informs us. Another of his guiding principles: “While there can be ‘what ifs,’ there should be no excuses.”
I take notes as the day unfolds. McCann outlines several guidelines: luggage should be lifted, not dragged, to avoid tracking dirt; bags must be stowed before passengers board to diminish theft risks. A chauffeur must be aware of the rear-view mirror, positioned to prevent eye contact with passengers (this is for safety and discretion).
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And this surprising rule: Never ask about your passengers’ flight.
“That’s the least appropriate question to pose,” McCann responds to my puzzled look. “When was the last time you disembarked a metal tube saying, ‘I had a fantastic experience’? By inquiring, you’re effectively nudging the client to distort the truth.”
He continues, and I keep taking notes. Focus on personal details, such as the client’s water preference (sparkling or still? Pellegrino or Perrier?); position bottles in the door rather than the cup holder to clear space for the client’s own drink. Remember the names of beloved pets. Level the air vents and adjust headrests. Ensure that music—if played—and climate settings are to the client’s liking.
“Our refrigerators are set to two temperatures, six and 11 degrees Celsius, one for vintage champagne and one for non-vintage,” he elaborates. “Anticipate the client’s expected arrival time and adjust accordingly. If it’s evening, they’re likely to enjoy vintage, so that option should be warmer.”
Driving, as you might expect, is part of the job. However, I didn’t realize that proficient driving begins with proper seating. I’ve never been so mindful of where to position my body as I am when sliding into an emerald green Cullinan parked outside the Wynn. McCann instructs: arms extended and shoulders relaxed, hands at 9- and 3-o’clock, thighs parallel to the ground, pelvis tucked. My toes lightly rest on the pedals.
This isn’t how I usual approach driving, ahem, my own Rolls-Royce, a vintage 1975 Silver Shadow. Suddenly, it dawns on me that I’ve treated my vehicle like a contestant in an off-road endurance rally, all late-braking and abrupt movements.
Technically, I remind myself, that might have been acceptable, given that Lawrence likely drove his Rolls-Royces hard amid his legendary desert exploits. However, today is another matter, and I don’t want to appear inadequate to McCann. Cringe. A significant shift in mindset is necessary.
“Any tension in your body will transfer to the car,” he advises. At that moment, I’m feeling so taut that beads of sweat are rolling down my spine. It appears I’ve been completely mismanaging my own RR, and it’s a wonder I haven’t caused any accidents or suffered serious back issues in the process.
We cruise through the outskirts of Vegas, and he whispers in my ear that I must pass the Whiskey, Gin & Tonic, Champagne Test. I have to brake so gently that a champagne coupe placed on the car’s hood remains unspilled. He recommends beginning with whiskey in a traditional glass, then moving to gin, and finally to bubbly. Though it feels hypothetical right now, I’m already psyching myself to try this with my Shadow when I return home.
I visualize success: Gently ease onto the brakes with the elegance of a ballerina; concentrate like a surgeon. Preserve the fizz in the glass. Breeeatheee.
“Don’t let poor driving impact your good driving!” McCann snaps me out of my daydream, reminding me to maintain a safer distance from the Prius ahead.
As we venture beyond Vegas, we encounter stretches adorned with red mountains and Joshua trees. I can sense my grip on the steering wheel becoming more relaxed as I improve my balance while navigating the turns.
Finally, I catch sight of the lunch stop where we’ll reconvene with the class. Unyielding, McCann continues to instruct: Never start or finish a trip in reverse. Unload passengers first, then back up if necessary, ensuring that the Spirit of Ecstasy always faces forward. It’s a sign of respect for Eleanor Thornton, the actual model for the iconic ornament adorning cars that have transported monarchs and celebrities since 1904. “You could be asked to leave an event for parking her against the wall,” he warns. I can sense he means it.
We step out, and McCann reveals a lint roller, listing the essential tools for chauffeurs: a pocket knife, microfiber cloths, alkaline water, and a USB filled with music…
I’m beginning to understand that, for the passenger, luxury signifies absence—specifically, the absence of dirt and disturbance, annoyance and chaos. A skilled driver shields you from such concerns, allowing you to embrace the day ahead; under their guidance, the car becomes a sanctuary.
Moreover, the art of chauffeuring resonates with a deeper theme, celebrating the craftspeople who create order and beauty from raw elements. It’s reminiscent of Martha Stewart and her cultivated garden; Lucien Freud with his oil paintings; the $4,400 Loro Piana cashmere throw. Such aspirational spaces and items stem from humble crafts—gardening, painting, weaving—that are executed with precision and, therefore, hold high value.
McCann demonstrated that chauffeuring honors our interpersonal relationships and the dignity inherent in perfecting an age-old profession. It stands as a counterargument to a cold, automated future. I was resolved to enhance my driving skills and earn my spot among such distinguished company.
Before leaving Las Vegas the next morning, I swing by the valet desk to retrieve a package. Inside is a lone white glove embellished with a gold RR pin, elegantly framed in black and signed by McCann—the unmistakable sign that I have indeed made the cut! I’m ecstatic, albeit a bit taken aback.
Once I’m back in LA, I put my newly acquired knowledge to the test, grabbing a genuine champagne coupe from my kitchen and placing it on the hood of my Rolls-Royce, parked in the quiet street behind my home… If I’m honest, I’m not quite matching McCann’s exacting standards yet. But I’m dedicated to enhancing my skills.
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