php calender and mysql confusion

[s3d]

Hi There all

I have a project coming up, which will require something i am not sure how to approach.
Im fairly decent php / mySQL programmer

The project is for a car company which hire out drivers.
So the whole thing will have a load of drivers, who will state their availablity.

Then the admin create a new job, specify the dates, and will show the drivers which are available on these dates.

Short of having a master mySQL calender table (show below) is there a better way?
[code]
----------------------------------------
| id      | date             | driverID  |
----------------------------------------
| 1       | 12/02/06       | 6            |
| 2       | 13/02/06       | 6            |
| 3       | 14/02/06       | 6            |
| 4       | 15/02/06       | 6            |
| 5       | 12/02/06       | 2            |
| 6       | 17/02/06       | 2            |
| 7       | 18/02/06       | 2            |
| 8       | 19/02/06       | 2            |
| 9       | 12/02/06       | 7            |
----------------------------------------
[/code]
Considering the drivers are likly to available alot of the time, and they can shedule lets say 6 months in advanced, this table is gonna get absolutly massive.

Is there a better way?

Many thanks

MAtt

[Barand]

Store the dates when drivers are NOT available (booked)