A chauffeur is someone who drives an automobile as a job, most often meaning a luxury sedan such as a limousine or a "stretch limo", although technically anybody who drives can be called a chauffeur; the word is simply French for "professional driver". In some countries, particularly developing nations where a ready supply of labour ensures that even the middle classes can afford domestic staff, the chauffeur is simply called the "driver".

Rich people often employ chauffeurs to drive them in their own cars, and there are services offering limousines including chauffeurs for rent. This is very similar to, but more luxurious than, taking a taxicab.

In a rich household or great house, it is not uncommon to have a chauffeur in one's employ, much like the housemaid or butler.