How To Become a Valet: Complete 2024 Guide

If you want to get a chance to drive amazing cars and work in the hospitality industry, becoming a Valet can be a great career choice for you. Valets work in many different industries and they get to work with celebrities and drive their cars, even if it’s for a little bit.

In this article, we discuss how to become a Valet and what the necessary skills and requirements are.

See Also: Valet Job Description For Employers

How To Become a Valet Driver

There are many different ways you can start your career as a Valet. However, the most common approach is the following:

1. Get your driver’s license

It goes without saying that in order to be a Valet, you need a driver’s license. Getting a driver’s license and gaining some driving experience is a must. You’ll need to master parking since you’ll be driving a lot of expensive and cool cars, and the last thing you want to do is damage them. 

Driving licenses in America are generally valid for eight years, so make sure to renew it if it’s nearing expiration and you’re considering working as a Valet.

2. Get an auto insurance plan

In most states, in order to drive a car you need auto insurance. Even if the state you’re in doesn’t require auto insurance, most employers will ask you to have one in order to work as a Valet. This is especially true for prestige car valeting, as you’ll often be driving expensive cars that you don’t own. 

The auto insurance will protect you and your employer from injuries or damage as a result of accidents while on the job.

3. Acquire customer service skills

If you want to know how to become a Valet parker, besides driving skills, you’ll also need customer service skills, as you’ll be meeting and greeting guests regularly. You’ll need to look and sound professional and instill them with confidence that their cars will be looked after with care.

That being said, many Valet companies demand their employees go through customer service training to make sure they can deal with different customer situations. Be fast on your feet but slow in the seat, meaning go fast to the car to pick it up but drive it very carefully.

4. Learn how to drive stick

While most Americans drive automatic, some drive manuals. This is especially true with sports cars. Learning how to drive a car with a manual transmission can be very beneficial. Moreover, learning where the reverse is for different models will definitely come in handy. 

More often than not, the “R” symbol on the shift knob will let you know where the reverse is, but it won’t tell you how to find it. 

On some cars, you can simply push the lever to reverse. On others, the shift lever has a ring around it, in which case you’ll need to push the shift knob down before you move the lever over. There are some cars that have a ring around the shift lever which you’ll need to pull to engage reverse. 

5. Keep a clean driving record

The only requirements most valet companies ask for in their candidates are a driver’s license and a clean driving record. If you want to make a career out of being a Valet, you’ll need to be mindful when driving on and off the job. 

6. Apply to work as a Valet

Valet companies typically post their job openings online. Generally, you can expect to find work in Valet parking companies, upscale restaurants, hotels and resorts. 

In some cases, you’ll only need to drive and park cars, while in others, you may also need to detail and wash them.

See Also: Common Valet Interview Questions and Sample Answers