Wigan stretch-limo clampdown

Sussex · **Posted:** Sat Mar 03, 2007 7:57 pm

A clampdown on unlicensed stretch limousines is being spearheaded by Wigan Council.

The authority is the only one to have previously offered voluntary licences covering the USA-style vehicles but now licensing chiefs have joined a Greater Manchester-wide campaign to block rogue firms from trading. Until now there has been no legal requirement for drivers to acquire a licence – but as the luxury form of travel becomes more popular local councils have decided to act.

Wigan Council licensing manager Maurice Dearden said: "What we are saying is that these vehicles are being used for hire and reward. That means they come within the requirements for private hire and should be regulated by the local authority. "At the moment no-one is checking that the vehicles are safe. "Our Hackney carriages and private hire vehicles are tested twice a year and the drivers are vetted. "We need to ensure that the people in charge of those vehicles are safe and proper to carry out their duties."

Limousines are now the choice of travel for stag, hen and birthday parties, weddings and on school prom night. Most of the vehicles are shipped from America – particularly New York where they are decommissioned after five years. By licensing them, the council will also be able to scrutinise the safety of the limos which often come with huge wheels, stretch beyond eight foot long and are predominantly left-hand drive and 4x4s.

Under the new approach, any limo carrying a maximum of eight passengers will have to apply for a private hire licence while those which carry nine or more will come under the jurisdiction of the Vehicle Operator and Standards Agency. Wigan Council is the only one of the 10 authorities in Greater Manchester to already issue voluntary licences.

One reputable firm which is already fully licensed is Wigan's 1st Choice Luxury Cars, in Wallgarth Close, Winstanley. It is run by Brian Moran.
He said: "I know of people buying limousines and basically just driving them about as they would any vehicle. You do have to have a proper licensing structure in place.

"I don't see how anyone can operate without a licence because you need your licence number for your insurance but I know that there are companies out there who do and they need to be stopped."

Sussex · **Posted:** Sat Mar 03, 2007 7:59 pm

Sussex wrote:

Until now there has been no legal requirement for drivers to acquire a licence.

Doesn't the 1976 act apply in Wigan then?

Sussex · **Posted:** Sat Mar 03, 2007 8:00 pm

Sussex wrote:

One reputable firm which is already fully licensed is Wigan's 1st Choice Luxury Cars, in Wallgarth Close, Winstanley. It is run by Brian Moran. He said: "I know of people buying limousines and basically just driving them about as they would any vehicle. You do have to have a proper licensing structure in place.

"I don't see how anyone can operate without a licence because you need your licence number for your insurance but I know that there are companies out there who do and they need to be stopped."

kermit2482 · **Posted:** Sun Mar 04, 2007 9:29 pm

Sussex wrote:

One reputable firm which is already fully licensed is Wigan's 1st Choice Luxury Cars, in Wallgarth Close, Winstanley. It is run by Brian Moran. He said: "I know of people buying limousines and basically just driving them about as they would any vehicle. You do have to have a proper licensing structure in place.

"I don't see how anyone can operate without a licence because you need your licence number for your insurance but I know that there are companies out there who do and they need to be stopped."

Absolutely and seconded

cabby john · **Posted:** Mon Mar 05, 2007 2:57 pm

What ever happened to safety re seat belts on these vehicles - we have all seen the little darlings/wannabee stars hanging out of windows and roofs sreaming their little heads off. Should'nt they be wearing a safety belt :roll:

But! how long before we see someones head actually come off - it's only a matter of time.

TDO · **Posted:** Tue Mar 06, 2007 12:02 am

Well there was the kid who fell out of the fire engine in your manor John:

http://taxi-driver.co.uk/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?p=39876

cabby john · **Posted:** Tue Mar 06, 2007 5:09 am

TDO wrote:

Well there was the kid who fell out of the fire engine in your manor John:

http://taxi-driver.co.uk/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?p=39876

Forgot all about that one :oops:

kermit2482 · **Posted:** Wed Mar 07, 2007 11:15 pm

cabby john wrote:

What ever happened to safety re seat belts on these vehicles - we have all seen the little darlings/wannabee stars hanging out of windows and roofs sreaming their little heads off. Should'nt they be wearing a safety belt :roll:

But! how long before we see someones head actually come off - it's only a matter of time.

The trouble here is because we have a compartment between the driver and the passengers its not technically the drivers responsibility, or at least im led to believe this anyway, however i am always willing to be shown im wrong. Regardless of that though any decent limo op would still insist on their customers being belted especially kids, i know i do but to be honest you cant keep your eye on them and the road all the time, but i do see your very valid point though.

cabby john · **Posted:** Thu Mar 08, 2007 4:32 am

kermit2482 wrote:

cabby john wrote:

What ever happened to safety re seat belts on these vehicles - we have all seen the little darlings/wannabee stars hanging out of windows and roofs sreaming their little heads off. Should'nt they be wearing a safety belt :roll:

But! how long before we see someones head actually come off - it's only a matter of time.

The trouble here is because we have a compartment between the driver and the passengers its not technically the drivers responsibility, or at least im led to believe this anyway, however i am always willing to be shown im wrong. Regardless of that though any decent limo op would still insist on their customers being belted especially kids, i know i do but to be honest you cant keep your eye on them and the road all the time, but i do see your very valid point though.

I believe if you are 14 years old and over you are deemed to be responsible as a Passenger for yourself, this theoretically lets the driver off the hook - so to speak, ( however I could stand corrected). My issue is with the safety people and police who do not seem to have picked up on this.

Sussex · **Posted:** Thu Mar 08, 2007 7:54 am

Well hopefully when these things have to be licensed under PH legislation they will have to meet certain criteria.

And you never know we might even get some help from the DfT. :roll:

JD · **Joined:** Thu Nov 04, 2004 5:53 pm **Posts:** 10381

Sussex wrote:

Well hopefully when these things have to be licensed under PH legislation they will have to meet certain criteria.

And you never know we might even get some help from the DfT. :roll:

Things are certainly changing, I think the seat belt and liquor laws will have some effect on these limos when the first prosecutions for these types of offences start coming before the courts. Especially if the Government bring in a law that outlaws alcohol being consumed by passengers in such vehicles or even any vehicle for that matter? I also wonder how the no smoking laws will affect these types of vehicles?

Regards

JD

kermit2482 · **Posted:** Thu Mar 08, 2007 8:03 pm

Hi JD with regard to the NO SMOKING laws i doubt very much it will even so much as touch the limo trade as to be honest most limo ops wouldn't dream of letting customers smoke in their vehicles anyway, as for the liquor being consumed then again i think the government would have a problem as many limo ops are now licenced to sell liquor as required to sell the Bubbly by a lot of the councils, however they are supposed to be stationary when all this is carried out.

JD · **Joined:** Thu Nov 04, 2004 5:53 pm **Posts:** 10381

kermit2482 wrote:

Hi JD with regard to the NO SMOKING laws i doubt very much it will even so much as touch the limo trade as to be honest most limo ops wouldn't dream of letting customers smoke in their vehicles anyway, as for the liquor being consumed then again i think the government would have a problem as many limo ops are now licenced to sell liquor as required to sell the Bubbly by a lot of the councils, however they are supposed to be stationary when all this is carried out.

Thank you for that advice Kermit. So they can't drink while mobile thats interesting, but I don't think there is a law prohibiting passengers in ordinary cars from drinking is there?

Regards

JD

kermit2482 · **Posted:** Thu Mar 08, 2007 11:27 pm

JD wrote:

kermit2482 wrote:

Hi JD with regard to the NO SMOKING laws i doubt very much it will even so much as touch the limo trade as to be honest most limo ops wouldn't dream of letting customers smoke in their vehicles anyway, as for the liquor being consumed then again i think the government would have a problem as many limo ops are now licenced to sell liquor as required to sell the Bubbly by a lot of the councils, however they are supposed to be stationary when all this is carried out.

Thank you for that advice Kermit. So they can't drink while mobile thats interesting, but I don't think there is a law prohibiting passengers in ordinary cars from drinking is there?

Regards

JD

To be honest i dont know about ordinary cars as this doesn't concern me as i dont supply alcohol to people in my car so never bother to know the facts on this one, and to be honest its much easier just to tell customers in the limos to bring their own, i dont think io have ever lost a hire just because i ask them to bring their own, and it keeps plod, vosa and all the other agencies happier :wink:

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Wigan stretch-limo clampdown

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