Taxi Driver Online

LIMO bosses claim they have been forced off the road because of costly delays in getting new licences.

Owners of luxury car companies say they have lost thousands of pounds because of the new requirements, introduced in October.

The owner of one Shotts-based firm is still waiting for her licence despite applying to the Vehicle and Operator Services Agency (VOSA) in December last year.

Lisa Rafferty, 28, who runs First Class Limousines, has spent around £20,000 and fears she will go bankrupt.

She said: "I have spent tens of thousands converting all my cars and putting a new alarm system in, so that they comply with UK standards.

"Every time I phone to chase my licence up they tell you the decision is made and the paperwork just has to be finalised.

"The last thing I want is to have to turn down bookings but they have put me in a terrible position.'

"I have contacted every single customer personally but people just don't understand when you try to explain what has happened."

Andrew Adair, 49, who runs Glasgow-based Las Vegas Limousines, said: "I haven't been able to have a car on the road since October 1.

"I've spent £15,000 on each car because they are American and I've had to change the windows and tyres to meet the new UK regulations but the cars are sitting in the garage while I wait on my licence."

Vosa said: "There are only a small number of companies who offer the service to convert vehicles to meet requirements so those who have chosen to leave making their vehicles legal until now, have to wait."


Daily Retard article

Looking at the VOSA site it seems that the TC hasn't licensed any Limos under PSV regs, and to stop folks abusing restricted licenses any licenses granted under those regs have a stipulation that Limos and Novelty motors can't be used.

Oh dear what a shame.

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IDFIMH

I think you are going to be disappointed Sussex. There are many limousines licensed under PCV. Why do you think people like Danny Cawley are coifing them? Danny has just been granted some extra PCV licenses last week. Jason Earle has got one that is licensed for 18 passengers and I believe there is also another 18 seater licensed in the same area. There are hundreds of limousines operated under restricted PCV without any problems whatsoever.

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Grandad,

Mainly because they got their restricted license prior to the new(ish) anti Limo regime.

Tell me Mr Grandad how many Limos will adhere to these standard conditions being added to new restricted licenses?

GRACE MAYERS-CAMPBELL T/A G M LIMOUSINES
18 PARKSIDE WAY HARROW HA2 6DA
Operating Centre: 131 HEADSTONE LANE HARROW HA2 6DB
Authorisation:2 Vehicle(s).
New Condition: Bank statements for March, April and May 2010 to be provided no later than 30th June 2010. Attached to Licence.
New Undertaking:
(a) The operator will advise the traffic commissioner of the type and registration number of vehicles used under that licence, and will advise of any changes – section 20(3) of the Public Passenger Vehicles Act 1981.
(b) The operator will send in the original V5 document to the traffic commissioner, and will not use any vehicle without prior written approval from the traffic commissioner.
(c) Each stretched limousine / novelty vehicle to be used under the licence will have a V5 registration book, and the operator must possess and produce when ask to do so a document confirming this.
(d) Each stretched limousine / novelty vehicle will receive a full safety inspection (maximum every 10 weeks) in premises suitable for the vehicle to ensure that its roadworthiness is maintained. Records of all inspections must be kept in accordance with the Guide to Maintain Roadworthiness.
(e) At no time will the stretched limousine carry more than eight passengers.
(f) The operator will at all relevant times comply with the legislation in respect of the charging separate fares and retain 12 months’ evidence of this compliance for each journey.
(g) Drivers of stretched limousine will carry with them documentary evidence that separate fares have been charged for the current journey.
(h) The operator will comply with sections 2 and 6 of the Transport Act 1985 with regard to local service registration and must be able to show compliance with these sections to VOSA, on request. This will include proof of payment of separate fares and either:
- Proof that passengers have travelled more than 15 miles. This will usually be evidence by showing postcodes; or
- Proof that the service is an excursion or tour and falls outside the definition of a local service.
(i) The operator will not use a vehicle that does not meet the ECWVTA standards or British construction and use requirements.
(j) The operator will not use any vehicle where the traffic commissioner considers its use to constitute an illegal practice such as ‘dry hiring’ or purporting to operate under specious and irrelevant authority such as reference to schedule 6 or section 6 (which usually refers to construction and use provisions to allow the driving of a vehicle for private use – as opposed to hire or reward), in a effort to circumvent the operator licensing requirements.
(k) If the operator seeks to use the ‘tours and excursions’ exception to the 15 mile rule, again this should be evidenced and readily available to VOSA. This may be on the booking form. The limits of the ‘tours & excursions’ exemption will also be fully understood by the operator, for example it cannot be available for more that six weeks.
(l) The operator or driver will not break the alcohol laws.

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IDFIMH

Sussex , I got my full O licence in July 08 4 badges , I got an aditional 3 last week , all the terms are workable . We have coif'd over 50 hummers with the operators running under vosa licence .

i will give you that there are lots of limo ops doing nothing , but theres also many running Legal

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Style Limousines - Limo Hire Manchester
Hummerzine Limousine Sales - Hummer Limo Sales
Pinnacle Limousine Sales - Limo Sales

Full marks for running legally, but who licensed the Rolls Royce Phantom ?

I dont have a phantom and if I did it would either be a wedding car " no Licence needed" or it would have a disc and operate under section 265 obiding the 15 mile rule or tours and excursions . very easy

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Style Limousines - Limo Hire Manchester
Hummerzine Limousine Sales - Hummer Limo Sales
Pinnacle Limousine Sales - Limo Sales

Fair play to you

The real problem seems to be that of local authorities, especially here in Scotland, turning a blind eye to limo & special event vehicles, too much of a headache for them

I've always supported legal limos, even if I do hate the bloody things.

But my point about the VOSA conditions is that there is no way any Limo firm is going to keep up-to-date single fare records, or have a pricing structure to take account of PSV small bus regs.

And how many Limos are ECWVTA?

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IDFIMH

Why not? That has got to be the easiest condition to meet. Isn't it the same for minibuses? These operators don't seem to have a problem with record keeping.

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Grandad,

I ring up for a quote for a Limo for 8 punters, get quoted £400 i.e. £50 each.

On the day only six punters turn up to travel, if the Limo charges more than £300 he is breaking the law.

And please point me to a site which says pricing is per person?

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IDFIMH

Now if I was running on seperate fares and someone rang up to book my limo for 8 passengers at £50 each, I would collect the money and send the person who did the booking 8 tickets for the passengers. If only 6 of them turn up that is their problem.
For a lot of situations tickets are not even transferable so the buyer can't even resell the ticket (legally) such as cup final tickets etc.

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Grandad,

But how many do that?

And how many PSV Limo firms price on their sites, as they must by law, on a separate fare basis?

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IDFIMH

How many bus and coach company's price on their sites? It would be impossible to put prices for every type of job. It may be possible to put scheduled bus route prices up but apart from that you could only put up certain examples based on meeting certain criteria.

Here is an example, where are the prices?

http://www.westway-coaches.co.uk/

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Grandad,

They could, or maybe should to keep within the law, state that any quoted price is per person. Not do as they do now give a price and divide it by the number of punters.

VOSA have good guidance notes of this issue, and they are quite certain that small PSVs, running under restricted licenses, must price per person.

Or maybe the Limo lot don't like that law as well, and are thinking up a self price scam.

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IDFIMH