The Hidden Health Hazards of Being a Chauffeur, and How I Took Control

Simon Kalipciyan, COO & Co-Founder, 31 October 2026

In short: Long hours behind the wheel, irregular meals and broken sleep put chauffeurs and professional drivers at real risk of weight gain, heart disease, diabetes and joint pain. After the scales showed more than 100kg, I cut out sugar and most carbs and lost over 15kg in three months. You do not need a dramatic overhaul, but you do need to start.

If you are a private chauffeur or you regularly do airport transfers, chances are you spend long hours behind the wheel. The job can be rewarding, but it comes with health risks that too many people in our industry ignore until it is too late.

My Wake-Up Call

It was 2 January. After weeks of avoiding the truth, I finally stepped on the scales, and they showed more than 100kg. I had not weighed that much since a three-month trip through Europe 36 years ago, when fast food and beer were the diet staples.

That number was a shock, but it was also the spark I needed. I flicked a mental switch and cut out sugar and carbs. No easing in, just a clean break.

What Changed in Three Months

The number on the scales was only part of it. I also:

• Fit back into my old clothes
• Lowered my cholesterol
• Stopped snoring and started sleeping better
• Noticed a big improvement in my asthma and joint pain, including a hip that had been due for replacement

It was not just about weight loss. It was about regaining control in a profession where it is easy to lose it.

The Health Risks of Life as a Chauffeur

Driving 10 to 12 hours a day, especially across early airport runs and late corporate pickups, is not just tiring. Long periods of sitting, irregular meal times, quick food on the go and disrupted sleep all add up. Professional drivers are widely recognised as being at higher risk of:

• Weight gain and obesity
• Heart disease
• Type 2 diabetes
• Chronic back and joint pain

Age makes it harder. As most of us get older we gradually lose muscle, which makes it easier to put on weight even when nothing else changes.

A Hard Reality in Our Industry

It is heartbreaking, but it happens. A driver starts feeling unwell while waiting at the airport, heads to the bathroom, and never walks out. A fatal heart attack, and a tragedy that might have been prevented.

Behind every chauffeur is a family: a partner, children, friends. These losses hit hard, and they remind us that we have to take better care of ourselves.

Simple Health Tips for Chauffeurs and Professional Drivers

You do not need to train for a marathon or overhaul your life overnight. Here is what worked for me, and what might work for you:

1. Cut back on sugar and processed carbs. This made the biggest difference for me.
2. Drink more water. Keep a bottle in the car, not just for passengers.
3. Pack healthy meals and snacks so the drive-through is not your only option between jobs.
4. Move between jobs. Even a 10-minute walk while you wait helps.
5. Strength train two or three times a week to hold on to muscle as you age.
6. Get regular check-ups and listen to your body. Chest pain, breathlessness or dizziness are never something to drive through.

This is my personal experience, not medical advice. Talk to your GP before making big changes to your diet or exercise, especially if you have an existing health condition.

Take the Wheel of Your Health

Being a chauffeur or airport transfer driver does not mean sacrificing your health. You have more control than you think, and small, consistent changes can make a big difference to how you feel, look and perform, on the road and off it. Do not wait for a crisis to act.

Stay safe, stay healthy.

Why This Matters to Our Clients Too

Healthy, well-rested chauffeurs are safer, sharper and more reliable. It is one reason Cars on Demand has kept a 99.99% on-time record across Australia since 1990. If you need a chauffeur, you can get an instant quote online, book in seconds and receive instant confirmation, as late as an hour before the trip, then track the car in the app and message your driver. See why travellers choose Cars on Demand.

Reader offers: Use our $20 blog offer by selecting it from the drop-down menu in Extras when you book. First-time customers can also take $50 off a return trip: select it from the same drop-down menu and it applies as $25 off each leg. The $50 return offer is for your first transfers only and cannot be reused on later bookings. See the $50 airport transfer offer.

Get an instant quote and book in seconds, or register online and download our app. Questions? Call 1300 638 258, 24/7, or email admin@carsondemand.com.au.

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