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Is Your Stretch Limo Safe?


As the senior school prom season arrives, East Riding of Yorkshire Council’s Licensing Team is urging parents and head teachers to check that any stretched limousine being booked for impending prom nights has been properly checked and licensed.
Is Your Stretch Limo Safe?

As the senior school prom season arrives, East Riding of Yorkshire Council's Licensing Team is urging parents and head teachers to check that any stretched limousine being booked for impending prom nights has been properly checked and licensed.

Previous checks have found that unlicensed limos were being used, with some being uninsured as a result and others found to be serving alcohol to under 18s in the vehicle, which is an offence under the Licensing Act 2003.

The licensing team has issued advice to all senior schools in the area asking them to warn parents and teachers of the dangers of using unlicensed vehicles for the forthcoming school proms.

The law was changed 6years ago so that stretched limousines had to be licensed. This was done in the interests of passenger safety.

Licensing of these vehicles and the use of vetting procedures provides safeguards and protection for the passengers using them.

To get a licence with the council the drivers are assessed for competence, having the correct licence and being medically fit. The drivers are also screened by the Disclosure and Barring Service to an enhanced level for any previous convictions or serious allegations to ensure they are fit to drive the travelling public.

The vehicles licensed are examined and tested regularly to ensure that they are roadworthy and correctly maintained as well as properly taxed and insured. Vehicles licensed by the East Riding of Yorkshire Council as private hire vehicles can only ever be licensed for no more than eight passengers. Vehicles licensed through VOSA can carry more than eight passengers but need a licence issued by the traffic commissioners.

Councillor Jackie Cracknell, cabinet portfolio holder for community partnerships at East Riding of Yorkshire Council, said: "There are many good, safe operators of stretched or executive limos within the East Riding, so please take care to hire a licensed stretched limousine or novelty vehicle, as there may be serious consequences for you and your children if you do not.

"Just because an advertisement may look professional and authentic from the directory enquiries, local press or internet does not mean that every thing is safe or legal. It is important to check the vehicle is licensed and that the driver has been suitably vetted before booking."

Anyone wanting to check on a limousine operator or vehicle should call the licensing team on (01482) 396296/7 or email licensing@eastriding.gov.uk. Information on the licensing of limousines is also available on the council's website www.eastriding.gov.uk

source: http://www.aboutmyarea.co.uk/East-Ridin ... -Limo-Safe

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