New Powers To Be Granted In A Bid To Crackdown On Illegal Limo Hire Operators
VOSA clamp down on illegal limo operators
12th September 2009
The Vehicle Operator Service Agency (VOSA) are due to be granted new powers to enable them to significantly cut down on the number of illegal limo hire operators currently working in the U.K. The safety of other road users and limo hire customers is at the heart of the crackdown as the latter are often completely unaware of the dangers of boarding an unlicensed limousine.
Under new proposal guidelines the VOSA will be able to remove offending vehicles from the road. Previously they were only able to issue the operator who failed to produce the necessary licensing documentation for their vehicle with a fine. The power to forcibly remove the vehicle is expected to be a far more effective deterrent as it will cut off the operator’s avenue of income whilst the vehicle is off the road.
The VOSA will be able to seize any vehicle with more than 8 seats which doesn’t have a valid operator’s license. Vehicles which can potentially fall into this category include limos, minibuses, coaches and novelty vehicles such as fire engine limos and party buses.
A version of these rules already applies to lorries, therefore the new guidelines proposed for public service vehicles will bring them in line with current lorry regulations. The Road Safety Minister Paul Clark said; “Illegal bus, coach and limousine operators put the safety of their passengers and other road users at risk as well as creating unfair competition for law abiding businesses. Giving VOSA these new powers shows that we are determined to force these cowboy operators off the road.”
Parliament is due to consider the new measures shortly with the legislation due to come into force on October 1st 2009.
Source; LimoBroker.co.uk
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