Taxi Driver Online

A liverpool based company has been granted a pcv operator's licence for a stretch limo with some conditions attached.
New Condition: Vehicles operated under this licence which have less than 9 passenger seats (not including the driver) will:
i) Be operated on a registered local bus service or
ii) operated on journeys of over 15 miles only and the passengers will be each be charged a separate fare. Attached to Licence.

full details at
http://www.vosa.gov.uk/vosa/publications/n&p%202457%20-%2021st%20april%202006.pdf

chances of that happening.
less than nil.

In all honesty, there are very few limo 'operators' who would adhere to these regulations.

As I've said in previous postings, there are some fantastic limo companies out there providing a great service with top quality vehicles. Unfortunately though, there are just as many (or more) who operate with no regard whatsoever for licensing issues.

Only yesterday I saw a Lincoln Towncar full of kids on a day out. The car was about 14 years old and, complete with pink paintwork, was honestly one of the worst vehicles I have seen for quite some time. Cars like this would have no chance of passing a local authority inspection.

_________________
Visit TAXIPIX at www.taxipix.fotopic.net

I agree, but all I would like to see is a system that licenses/checks the vehicles and the drivers.

Be it PSV or PH, or for that matter HC.

_________________
IDFIMH

Nice move for the limo operator....

No age restrictions
No colour restrictions
No dress code
No harassment from the local taxi enforcement officer
Advertising permitted on & in vehicles

Nice one

Well i will be glad when glasgow pulls there finger out regarding limo licensing after my daughter and friends were injured at christmas on a night out. She has recovered now also her friends the company paid her out money rather than go to court. But glasgow council are not concerned with these companies. But my daughter and friends will never step inside one of those limos again. Those bottles of cheap plonk they drink in these limos are like missiles when a driver has to swerve to avoid a crash. Thats what happened in my daughters case her friends flew across the floor of the limo with plonk glasses going everywere ending up with seven out of the ten with cuts and bruising. I know there is legitimate limo companies out there.But make sure you do your homework before booking a company ask loads of questions, your welfare may depend on it.

That's another thing, under the new licensing act I very much doubt that's legal.

_________________
IDFIMH

I wonder what % of jobs these things do over 15 miles. Not many I suspect.

And how each punter paying seperately. Hmmmmm.

_________________
IDFIMH

I think what happened to your daughter just just reinforces all the arguements for licensing

Imagine if this had happened to the daughter of the Chief Constable or President McConnell ?

I was going to suggest approaching your MSP but its pot luck whether they would be interested in or even understand the problem


Glasgow City Council is without a doubt the worst in Scotland for refusing to apply private hire licensing law

You just have to go to the http://www.yell.com/ucs/UcsSearchAction ... w&x=42&y=8 & have a look; how many of these are licensed ? I am not just talking about stretched limos here, look at all the companies that definately fall within private hire ie. the socalled 'chauffeur' & 'executive' companies

It seems that in the West of Scotland suits driving suits dont need to be licensed

Good evening folks lads and ladies of the forum, can i introduce myself, my name is Mike and i drive a Limo down here in sunny Devon, after a few years of being PH. It does concern me somewhat to see that some of the limo companies in some areas do run unlicenced, and indeed am very unhappy to read on this forum about the misfortune of the girls in the back of the limo that suffered injury, unfortunately as in all industries you get the good and bad, however i can honestly say that not all limo ops are unlicenced and bad apples as i would say through experience that a good majority of limo ops in devon are licenced and act accordingly. Sure there are the odd exeption, i could name 2 but considering there are about 30 limo companies in devon alone i think the favour is more in the licenced side. Please peeps also consider that Vosa also licence limo ops as well as some local councils. Most ops that are licenced will have a licence that looks a bit like a tax disc in there windscreens or a private hire plate like you guys and girls do. Please please as someone has said ask these details if you choose to hire a limo, but also bear in mind thats all i ask that we are not all cowboys and the local authoritys can as im sure your all aware sometimes be very unreasonable with licencing issues.
Thanks for reading this post and may i wish you all well

_________________
Legal and proud

Loads a love from BERTIE !!

Could you provide more details? I thought that VOSA were generally responsible for licensing limos seating more than eight, but in general didn't issue any licenses becuase the limos couldn't pass the necessary tests?

_________________
Taxi Driver Online
www.taxi-driver.co.uk

Hi TDO, all i can say is that i am a VOSA licenced operator and i own ford lincoln town cars and only ever carry 8 passengers as the law about carrying anymore passengers in a limo no matter what the size is very grey indeed and as i have a licence i personally intend to keep it. VOSA will licence 8 seater limo ops on the proviso that they have a transport manager who they are contracted to that provides safety checks and services on the vehicle every 10 weeks and they dont carry more than 8 passengers. The fees for this are about £390 and then you have to reapply on a yearly basis for your tax disc type licence. I did try and get licenced through my local authority but they simply were not interested so i chose the VOSA route, i will also point out that whilst limo ops are waiting for there licence they are not allowed to trade. I hope this answers some of your concerns and if i can help any further then i will be more than happy. Best wishes

_________________
Legal and proud

Loads a love from BERTIE !!

Mr Kermit welcome to the site.

Just for the record, could you operate at a profit if you had to adhere to the conditions VOSA put on the Liverpool lad?

_________________
IDFIMH

To be perfectly honest, i would have to say probably not, and there is an awful lot of payout in this industry, much the same as yours, and our VOSA man has clearly stated to me that this 15 mile as the crow flies is totally unworkable and unrecognisable, and that if we ever get a problem with it to contact him. Oh and thanks for the welcome, its nice to be accepted even as a limo op, although i know i used to be PH i dont any longer as fingers in other pies that dont involve quite so many hours

_________________
Legal and proud

Loads a love from BERTIE !!

Yes, thanks for that, but I'm still a bit confused about VOSA's involvement in this.

Under what legislation does VOSA license the limos of less than eight seats?

_________________
Taxi Driver Online
www.taxi-driver.co.uk