Security driver John: "During the ride I noticed we were being followed"

*For safety and confidentiality reasons, "John" is a pseudonym. John is not visible in the picture above.

How long have you been working as a security driver?

I'm John*, 39 years old, and I've been working as a driver for 17 years now, a large part of which has been as a security driver.

What do you find most important in your role?

The most important thing in my role is that the person I'm transporting can find peace in my car. Often these are people with busy and demanding lives. For them, I want to create a moment of calm where they feel safe and comfortable. A brief pause from the outside world, without stimuli. That bit of relaxation is essential to me.

What does a perfect ride look like for you?

A perfect ride is one where the passenger gets out relaxed, without having been conscious of the ride itself. No incidents along the way, no tension or rushed feeling. Everything flows smoothly. When someone says: "Oh, are we here already?", then I know it went well. Then the ride was exactly as it should be.

What can security drivers do that regular drivers can't?

Many people immediately have a movie image in their head when they hear the words security driver. Think of the movie The Transporter: sharply dressed in a suit, sunglasses on, silently driving through barriers as if you're in an action movie. But reality is completely different.

Our task doesn't revolve around outward appearance or tension, but around calm and safety. We ensure that rides where security plays a role run smoothly and in a controlled manner. Think of passengers like celebrities, CEOs, outspoken politicians, or entrepreneurs with a large online profile.

What distinguishes us from a regular driver is the ability to think ahead. We're trained in observing, assessing, and anticipating. We pay attention to behavior, environment, and risks. Everything revolves around preparation, adaptability, and a sense of timing. That's where the real craftsmanship lies.

"Our task doesn't revolve around outward appearance or tension, but around calm and safety."

What scenarios do you train for as a security driver? What does such training look like and how often do you do it? Is there also an exam?

An important part of our work is route management. I often know the pick-up and drop-off location in advance. Then I already start analyzing possible routes. What alternatives are there? Are there risk areas? What if we need to divert? Where are the nearest hospitals or police stations?

Twice a year I take a two-day driving training. This isn't just about defensive driving, but also about situations with elevated risk. Think of driving at increased speeds, sharply anticipating other road users, or remaining calm and in control during stressful circumstances.

We train on all kinds of terrains. Winding country roads in the Netherlands, highway drives in Germany, or technical sections at the Postbank near Arnhem. Comfort for the passenger remains important, even at higher speeds. There isn't an exam with every training, but you're assessed by the instructor. The official re-examination is once every five years.

Have you ever experienced such scenarios in practice? Can you tell us something about that?

Certainly. In seventeen years I've experienced multiple situations where my training really came in handy.

One example is a ride with a well-known Dutch model. She was being followed by paparazzi, especially when she was in the company of another famous personality. I knew in advance that there would be interest. During the ride I noticed we were being followed. Not a wild chase, but you feel it immediately.

With a few techniques you can make it difficult for the paparazzi without being noticeable. A roundabout is ideal, for example. By choosing the right moment, you force another car in between. In this case I could even drive an extra round and then take the exit, causing them to lose us. The passenger noticed nothing. That's how it should be.

Another time I was driving for a CEO who was dealing with a stalker. We had received a description in advance. While I was standing at the location, I noticed someone who walked past twice in the same clothes. I reported this to the CPO (Close Protection Officer), who confirmed it and immediately took action. The police were called in and the man was arrested. Those are moments when you notice that alertness and cooperation make the difference.

"During the ride I noticed we were being followed."

Does a bodyguard sometimes come along? What is your role then and what is the difference?

In our industry we don't call that a bodyguard, but a CPO: Close Protection Officer. They're not just there for politicians or celebrities, but also for people you wouldn't recognize on the street, but who do need serious security. Think of entrepreneurs with significant wealth or people in a threatening private situation.

Contrary to what people think, CPOs are usually not recognizable. They don't wear conspicuous clothing, no earpieces. They move unobtrusively and professionally, as if they're a friend or colleague.

When a CPO is present, there's always prior consultation with me. We discuss the route, the locations, and possible escape routes. My role is then clear: I always stay in the car, behind the wheel. I don't open doors and don't get involved with getting in or out. The CPO is responsible for that.

In such situations I see myself as an extension of the CPO. He is then temporarily my point of contact, unless otherwise agreed. Together we ensure that the ride runs flawlessly and safely.

Do you also clear the way or do you focus mainly on safety and escape routes?

I'm a civilian and fall under the same traffic rules as everyone else. So no, I don't clear the way and I don't drive through a crowd. My task is precisely to prevent ending up in such a situation.

This means that during planning I already take possible crowds into account. If a large crowd is expected, such as at a performance by a world star, there's often local police and security present to arrange safe passage. My focus always remains on anticipating. Better to prevent than to react.

What do you do when people come too close to the car? For example, fans with a movie star?

In theory that's an exciting scenario, but in practice it hardly ever happens. Not with me, and also not with colleagues I've been working with for years. That's because there are good protocols that prevent such situations.

Think of using alternative entrances at hotels, or even deploying a double for really big names. They get into a different car while the real passenger quietly leaves through another exit. I've never had to execute such a situation myself, but I know it happens. Everything revolves around preparation.

"Everything revolves around preparation."

What is the difference for you between a regular ride and a ride with a VIP or high-risk profile?

Of course there's a difference in what you pay attention to. During a standard ride I'm slightly less focused on where the nearest hospital or police station is. And I'll scan a bit less frequently what's happening around us.

But my approach doesn't change. Whether someone is world-famous or not, every passenger is important to me. My goal remains that someone arrives safely, calmly, and without stress. No roller coaster, no tension. Just a calm ride where you almost forget you were being transported.

What stories or anecdotes do you tell at birthday parties about your work? Can you share those with us too?

I never tell stories where I mention names. Discretion isn't a choice, it's a fixed part of my profession. It's deeply embedded in the culture of what we do. Moreover, I've signed a confidentiality clause in which I'm held personally liable for sharing confidential information, whether material or immaterial.

That doesn't mean I don't share anything at all. Sometimes I tell in general terms about situations I've experienced, without ever making anyone identifiable. For example, during the Video Music Awards in 2014. That weekend I drove for a succession of world stars. One got in while the previous one had gotten out less than five minutes earlier. Everything tightly scheduled, like clockwork, multiple days in a row. It gives a special dynamic to your work. You're constantly alert, but also part of something bigger than yourself.

Or that time when I sat quietly having a cup of coffee with an international artist in a pancake house in Amsterdam, just before departure to Schiphol. No security around us, no fuss. Just a moment of peace. Those kinds of contrasts, from world fame to a quiet corner by the window, stay with me.

And yes, sometimes something unexpected happens. Like suddenly making an extra stop at a coffeeshop because the artist needed to go there. You do that then, without questions, without judgment. You adapt, stay professional, and ensure everything runs smoothly.

They're not stories with grand gestures. It's precisely those moments of calm in a world full of hustle that make this work special.

Can you give an example of a ride that wasn't celebrity-related, but did require security?

Yes, those kinds of rides occur too. A while ago I drove for several weeks for a thirteen-year-old girl. Her mother was in a women's shelter due to threats from her ex. Not famous people, no big names, but definitely a serious situation.

I picked up the girl every morning at the shelter address and took her to school. Only when I was certain she was safely inside did I drive away. I knew the father's description, and knew what was at stake. Fortunately, I never saw him during that period.

It wasn't a ride for the cameras, but it was a ride where you can make a difference as a human being and as a professional. And that counts just as much.

What do clients who hire you find most important?

At Taylor it shouldn't matter whether you get in with me or with one of my colleagues. Clients don't hire a name, but a feeling of calm, safety, and reliability. That must be the same with everyone.

What comes first is that the passenger feels protected. But also the personal assistant or manager who books the ride must know: this person is in good hands. We provide that trust, ride after ride.

How do you want people to look back on the ride afterwards? How do you want them to describe you or your work?

If I've done it right, I hear nothing afterwards. No excessive compliments, no exciting stories. Just: "Yes, it actually went quite well." Then I know I've done my job well.

I see myself as a small cog in a larger whole. I don't need to stand out, I don't need to claim anything. When someone gets out calmly and walks on without thinking, then I've done exactly what was needed.

*Please note: For safety and confidentiality reasons, the name "John" is a fictitious name. The real identity of the professional involved is not disclosed, in accordance with applicable security protocols and contractual confidentiality obligations.

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