The guide and the driver have to be a close team. It is important the both agree on the routing, ETAs, and duration of rest and sight seeing stops. When I have a good driver and knowledgeable of the route, my job is so much easier. When I have to worry about telling the driver the route, it is stressful on me and the quality of my tour suffers. Drivers also need to be courteous to the passengers and always stand by the door as they get on and off. I think tour guides and clients appreciate a driver who is courteous, helpful, and doesn’t talk too much.
On over the road tours, it is also important that a driver does not have more than one, maybe two two alcoholic beverages when staying somewheres over night and gets enough sleep. I have had to have private talks with drivers about studying their maps for routing or tell them to get get to bed earlier. When I have excellent drivers, upon completion of the tour I write a note to their company stating the good work they have done.
Romano