Taxi Driver Online

I thought the stretch limos where licensed under VOSA, but, this evening I seen a stretch limo with a private hire plate on it the same as mine I have to say it looked so bad quite ruining the vehicle imo

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Note to self: Just because it pops into my head does NOT mean it should come out of my mouth!!

I think they have to be tested by VOSA because of the length of them, as for the plate round here they have little ones fixed to the mudflaps.

8 seat and under should be licensed by the local authority. The reason that you don't usually see the plates is that most have got a letter from their LO giving them dispensation from displaying the rear plate, it is usually kept in the boot.

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Grandad,

As Grandad says, under 8 seats must be licenced by the local authority. however, the problem there is that a lot of LAs refuse to licence left hand drive vehicles.

Over 8 seats must be licenced as PSVs, driven by PSV drivers, comply with PSV Construction and Use regs, have a tacho fitted, be operated by a licenced PSV holder, and have a Certificate of Initial fitness (COIF). Herein lies the problem, complying with the COIF and C&U regs. The majority of stretch limos do not, and cannot be modified to compkly and so operate illegally.

There are about 4 types that can legally comply with the PSV regs but I can't remember what they are. Most have to have mods to the steering/glass/doors and other odds to make them comply.

I'm glad to see VOSA frequently target such limos in London and elsewhere; several have been seized, impounded and crushed for operating illegally. Most of those spot-checked have been issued with prohibition notices (PG9) for various defects, drivers hours infringements, no licence, no insurance/dodgy tyres/brakes, the lot! In my view the whole bloody lot need to be taken off the road, apart from those licenced by the LAs or VOSA. they are absolute death traps. Don't let YOUR kids get in one for their prom unless you check it out first.

You might want to check out a VOSA publication called "Notices and Proceedings", a lengthy monthly document which lists all the licence applications for PSV operators for your area. Some are granted for limos, others have such onerous conditions attached that the operators give up.

I think I am right in saying the biggest Limo company in Britain A1 has had so many vehicles taken from them and not returned that they have now given up,or a paper change has taken place with the ownership of the company.
And a Company in Manchester that was doing the COIF modifications on the hummers etc has been stopped by VOSA and court Proceedings are taking place about them being not done properly and VOSA staff taking a back hander to pass them.The staff now been asked to leave.The vehicles they did pass have been told when VOSA catch up with them either at roadside checks or next MOT they will be handed PG9.
And I am pleased to say that the dry hire ( self drive hire scam) which I have always complained about is now illegal and VOSA will prosecute anyone trying to work it. The Limo Association NLCA is hiding in a ditch up north somewhere .
I think Grandad will confirm all this.

I was told that it isn't a ditch but a pig slurry pit. Everything else is about right though.

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Grandad,

there was a high profile case mentioned in RouteOne bus trade mag a few months back that involved a limo hire company and the lease company. Vehicles were seized by VOSA and not returned, despite an appeal from the leasing co. I suspect that sent a few warning shots to the limo trade.

There's also been numerous cases of the dry hire scam also brought before the Traffic Commissioners. In all cases, the TC has won.

They never used to have to display the license/ although they've had to have the license it was, as you say, kept in the boot. I just wondered if something had changed to make them display the license

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Note to self: Just because it pops into my head does NOT mean it should come out of my mouth!!

I suppose displaying the licence makes the legal ones more legal! At least by displaying a plate you KNOW they're licenced.

I well remember those threads on here, some of them of epic proportion, where limo barons came on TDO trying to say the self drive scam was legal.

They fooled no-one with their lies, and it was most enjoyable pointing out their lies to them.

Oh those were the days.

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IDFIMH

Some have started to display the plates for this reason. Some don't know that they can have an exemption.

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Grandad,