Belgian Restaurants Offer Private Chauffeurs to Drive Customers Home in Their Own Cars
A growing number of restaurants in Belgium are partnering with a chauffeur service to drive customers home in their own vehicles, eliminating the perennial question of who will be the designated driver. The service, provided by Antwerp-based company DriverBuddy, allows diners to enjoy alcohol responsibly while ensuring they — and their cars — arrive home safely.
How the Service Works
Unlike traditional taxi or ride-sharing services, DriverBuddy sends a professional chauffeur who takes the wheel of the customer’s own car. The customer rides in the back seat while a second chauffeur follows in a chase car to retrieve the first driver after the drop-off. This means the customer’s vehicle is waiting for them at home the next morning, eliminating the need to retrieve it from the restaurant.
According to Het Laatste Nieuws, participating restaurants include NEON in Lier, Restaurant Marcel, Huis De Colvenier, Het Boothuys, Maven, De Aarde, and Invincible. These establishments now refer guests to DriverBuddy as an alternative to taxis or designated drivers.
A Personal Mission
DriverBuddy was founded in February 2017 by Ibrahim Madah (33), who was motivated by a personal tragedy: the loss of a friend in a drunk driving accident during his student years. “The evening only truly ends well when people get home safely,” Madah told HLN. “We notice that both individuals and hospitality businesses are increasingly looking for solutions that allow customers not to leave their own car behind.”
Madah, who also works as a practical lecturer in Logistics at AP Hogeschool, has grown DriverBuddy from a small operation into a professional service with approximately 70 workers. The company launched a renewed mobile app for iOS and Android in June 2026 to make booking easier.
Addressing a Persistent Problem
The service comes against a backdrop of persistent drink-driving in Belgium. According to traffic safety institute Vias, 1.4% of Belgian drivers still drive under the influence of alcohol. The province of Antwerp led Flanders in 2024 with 5,653 drivers caught with excessive alcohol, while the city of Antwerp itself recorded 1,310 offenders.
“We won’t solve the traffic problem,” Madah acknowledged, “but if we can prevent people from getting behind the wheel under the influence or while tired, then we’ve achieved our goal.”
Pricing and Availability
DriverBuddy charges €25.50 per hour (excluding VAT) plus a travel fee depending on distance, with a minimum booking of three hours. All chauffeurs are pre-screened with at least two years of driving experience, internal driving tests, and a certificate of good conduct.
The service is currently active in Antwerp, East Flanders, Brussels, and is expanding into Limburg. While 90% of rides are booked by companies, the restaurant partnerships are opening the service to a wider leisure audience.
Broader Implications
The trend reflects a shift in how the hospitality industry approaches customer safety and convenience. By offering professional chauffeur services, restaurants can allow patrons to enjoy alcohol without transportation concerns, potentially enhancing the dining experience while contributing to road safety.
For business clients, the service offers additional advantages: rides are tax-deductible as business expenses, and busy professionals can use travel time productively. “Some customers use the ride to work, handle phone calls, or simply relax for a moment,” Madah noted.
What’s Next
With its new app and growing restaurant partnerships, DriverBuddy is positioning itself as a complement to existing mobility options rather than a replacement. As the company expands its geographic reach and service offerings, it represents an innovative solution to the age-old challenge of balancing social enjoyment with road safety.
“Every ride we do, every customer who arrives home safely, reminds me why I do this,” Madah said in an earlier profile interview. “The loss of my friend taught me how important it is to take responsibility, and that’s what DriverBuddy does every day.”