Driverseat differs from a taxi service, because all of the transportation takes place in the client's vehicle

A new chauffeur service in the Halifax area is taking designated driving to the next level.

Local franchise owner Marko Jovanic told NEWS 95.7's The Sheldon MacLeod Show, Driverseat will get you and your car home after a night out.

"You go out after work, have a few drinks...next thing you know you have to leave your car in a parking lot," he explained. "Tomorrow when you wake up, it's really not convenient getting back to that location and picking up your car, or asking someone else to drive you to get the car."

Driverseat launched in Ontario in 2012, and differs from a taxi because all of the transportation takes place in the client's vehicle.

Recently expanding here, their "coachmen" offer a full range of services, including taking a car in for an oil change or driving someone to the airport.

"We send a chauffeur to the client's location to pick them up in their own vehicle, drive them to the airport, drop them off in front of the terminal, and drive the vehicle back."

Jovanic said they will then send a picture of the vehicle and odometer to the client and store the keys in a secure location. They can also pick up the person when they return from their trip.

The airport ride costs $34.95 one-way for those living in Halifax, Bedford and Dartmouth, and everything can be pre-booked through their mobile app.

"Customers can request the service, see real-time updates on the coachman's location, pay and tip for the service, and rate the coachman on their experience," said Jovanic.

All of their drivers must have a criminal record and vulnerable sector check, along with a clean driver's abstract. And in order to use Driverseat, customers will need to agree to terms and conditions, including having insurance.

"Insurance in the province travels with the vehicle, not with the person driving," he said. "So as a result, we are insured under the customer's insurance."

He said since the company's soft launch on January 5th, the response has been amazing, and they're looking to hire more drivers.