Taxi Driver Online

Danger limos that stretch the law



STRETCH limousine operators in Greater Manchester face new licensing laws - after a police crackdown revealed major safety problems in several vehicles.

The limos are popular with stag and hen night revellers on nights out.

But there are worries that a lack of regulation is putting passengers in danger and is `an accident waiting to happen'. Now the Association of Greater Manchester Authorities has proposed that 10 councils across the region license limos carrying up to eight passengers, as if they were private hire vehicles.


All executive hire car companies would have to buy private hire licences, make sure their vehicles met certain standards and have their drivers checked by the Criminal Records Bureau.

Currently, limo operators require a normal driving licence and checks on vehicles every 10 weeks.

Stockport council is one of the first local authorities in the area expected to sign up to the policy this week.

Manchester and Trafford councils are set to follow suit. A Stockport council spokesman said: "We have been leading on this, with the help of other local authorities in Greater Manchester.

'Level playing field'

"Stockport limo companies will be encouraged to obtain a licence - and failing to do so would be a criminal offence."

Graham Tomlinson, from the National Limousine Association, welcomed the move, but called for a `level playing field' for operators across all councils.

He said: "Operators are at the mercy of each individual council and their rules and regulations can vary widely.

"Also, it's not ideal licensing a limo like a taxi - limos are party vehicles. You don't hire them to go to the supermarket.

"But it's better than nothing because, at the moment, some limos are just an accident waiting to happen."

A clampdown in December by Greater Manchester Police found eight stretch limos with safety defects and one car being driven without insurance.

In other areas of the country, 66 per cent of limos stopped found to be unsafe or breaking the law.

Limos carrying nine passengers and above are placed in the minibus category and continue to be regulated centrally.

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Think of how stupid the average person is, and realize half of them are stupider than that.
George Carlin

And that's from one of their top men.

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IDFIMH

JD will confirm, but aint that the mob that gave pink ladies section 75 exemption advice?

CC

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Think of how stupid the average person is, and realize half of them are stupider than that.
George Carlin

Yes your right they did, and to my mind they should not have done, however that was their choice, there is now a new limousine association called the european limousine association and by all accounts its going to be a far better association IMO. This association promises to take action where others have possibly failed, good luck to them and lets hope they manage to do more for the industry and get the unlicenced or should i say illegal operatives brigade off the roads for good

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Legal and proud

Loads a love from BERTIE !!

In the latest edition of Chaueffeur magazine, reports on an operation that found that 66% of lim stopped were unroadworthy.I suppose the companies didnt know,so how come they are allowed to operate, unless of course they DID know which raises the same question.High time the legitimate trade got organised and sorted this, might just prevent some DRACONIAN legislation.
ORGANISE EDUCATE AGITATE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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The views expressed by this contributor do not neccesarily reflect the policys of The GMB Nationally or of the GMB London Region.

Anyone operating a Limo should be very very careful especially if operating under the 7 day clause. Personally - my limo is registered as a PH and I am a registered Operator - but I don't charge the stupid prices that others do; I run mine along side the Taxi for those that want that little bit extra and only charge a very small fee (ie its got a meter LOL)

So I charge an extra tenner or so on a bottle of champers; but I operate within the law and have a drinks licence as well!

People that pack more than 8 pax into a Limo need stopping! I'd hate to be the one to explain to parents of kids on the way to their prom that the Limo that just paid several hundred pounds for wasn't actually insured because the driver / operator didn't want to adhere to the law; and some t*** just hit it!

Don't act outside the law its not worth it - if you want to run 16 seat then get a PSV (hey I'm female and blonde and can pass!!!) and make sure that you are insured!!! Its not your driving that is being questions but the rear end wipe that takes you out that starts the problems.

Be good; be safe and above all be legal! You have a fighting chance that way

When I spoke to "she who shall be obeyed" at Pink Ladies whose name at the moment escapes me, I don't believe she mention the NLA but my memory is not what it used to be. lol

I was put in touch with the Liverpool solicitor who gave them the advice that they could operate unlicensed, under 75 1b.

Their solicitor and I had a very frank but amicable conversation and naturally in the absence of specific case law I disagreed with his opinion.

I did post a version of those events elsewhere in another thread, however the reason I resurrected this thread is because back in 2005 Mr Graham Tomlinson of the National Limousine Association was upholding the law when he commented on the illegal activity of three limo companies operating in the Swindon area, one of which was A1 Limos who if my memory serves me well is an advocate of the self drive minibus hire or reward system.

Back in 2005 Mr Thompson said: "The legal limit for any limousine or stretched vehicle in this country is eight passengers.

It would appear the only problem to arise, was that "not surprisingly", none of the three vehicles in question were licensed for "hire or reward", therefore it made no difference whether they were carrying 8 or 28 passengers they shouldn't have been carrying any fare passengers at all.

Contrast Mr Tomlinsons accurate statement with that of Mr Craig potter of A Class Limos, who said,

"We can get insured as long as our drivers hold a PSV license, which they all do. "The National Limousine Association is just trying to scaremonger. They are not representative of the industry. There are more than 2,000 limo companies in the industry but they only have about 240 members in total.

"The law is made out for minibus and coach companies and there is no chance at all for a limo to get a COIF as it is not tailored for them. The law is totally outmoded and the Government just hasn't caught up yet.

"I make no bones about it. We do carry more than eight people, but we abide by the law in every other respect.

It would appear that Mr Potter seems to think that driving an unlicensed vehicle carrying 14 passengers is quite within the law as long as the driver holds a PSV license. I don't know where Mr Potter gets his advice but I'm sure many of us who are actually familiar with the law will look at those comments with a little consternation.

The full Swindon article can be read here.

http://archive.thisiswiltshire.co.uk/20 ... 57256.html

Regards

JD

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Copyright notice © The contents of this post are copyright of JD and are not to be reproduced outside of TDO without written permission.

Join the real world every hackney PH has the same problem...but the limo trade want special treatment as usual

No not special treatment, just a level playing field for all

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Legal and proud

Loads a love from BERTIE !!

Then they should campaign to have the law changed, and obey it until they do.
Everyone else has to obey the law.
They don't just break it because they don't like it.

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http://wingsoverscotland.com/ http://www.newsnetscotland.com/

I've seen two stretch limos in the last week, and neither of them had a disc in the window or a plate on the back,100% illegal.

The only good thing is this time last year I would have seen a couple of dozen in the same time period, again all un-plated or un-dicsed, but at least the vast majority seem to have been put off the roads.

Maybe it's because the 'powers that be' down here know the score, whereas in many other areas a blind eye is being taken.

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IDFIMH

You won't see a plate on the back of my limos either but they are licensed all the same. My LA have very kindly given me a letter exempting me from displaying the plate but I do have to have it in the car.

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Grandad,

I agree an exemption can be applied for, but I know when I see a licensed vehicle and when I don't.

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IDFIMH

X ray vision then.

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Grandad,

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Legal and proud

Loads a love from BERTIE !!