Taxi Driver Online

Council urges caution over limos

The end of term is fast approaching – and with it the annual school ‘prom’ or spring ball. Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council is warning parents booking transport for their hopeful prom kings and queens to make sure that it’s properly licensed.

As with ‘black cabs’ and private hire taxis, all types of limousines, their drivers and booking agents are legally required to have a special licence issued by the council. In fact, the rule applies to any hire vehicle which can carry eight or less passengers.

The main reason for the licence is to make sure the vehicles are safe. For example, limousines need to be checked regularly by an authorised garage to make sure they meet mechanical and safety standards. Drivers and operators also have to undergo enhanced Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) checks before they are issued with licences.

Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council’s Head of Environmental Health, Licensing and Parking Alan Craft said: “Pupils want to arrive at the summer ball in style but it’s important that parents know these vehicles are licensed and safe – for their own peace of mind.

“When booking transport they need to check the booking operator has a licence number. This number can then be confirmed with the council’s Licensing Team on 01256 845 474. “On the night, the driver should show his licence, licence plate and driver’s badge. “Driving vehicles without a licence is an offence carrying a maximum fine of £1,000 and it also invalidates insurance. “The council will prosecute anyone who is found to be illegally driving or taking bookings for an unlicensed vehicle.”

The council is working with other Hampshire authorities to produce a county-wide policy specifically for limousines and written to local schools to make sure they are aware of the regulations.

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IDFIMH

See now i agree totally with the warning and good on them, however i wish they would put all the true facts and not just half of them, ie a VOSA licenced op such as myself and many others do have licences which are fully legal and will stand up in any court of law, however there is a downside as they dont do a crb check, there policy not mine. Now do this council mention anything about a VOSA licence. NO THEY DONT, so are they saying that if they are not licenced by the respective council and by VOSA instead that they are operating illegally I have never heard so much tosh in all my life and this councillor ought to be shot. 1 severe case of check it out before they go preaching the laws. This is indeed what infuriates the limo trade

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Legal and proud

Loads a love from BERTIE !!

Actually i make a correction they do actually do a crb check but only the minimum one required!!!!!!

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Legal and proud

Loads a love from BERTIE !!

might be an idea if we allsent a copy of this to our LOs asking them to do likewise.
and maybe the local press.

I think the councillor was specifically speaking about vehicles which carry 8 passengers or less. Admittedly you can have psv vehicles licensed for less than 9 passengers but you cant take bookings and you have to submit a set route and timetable.

Would that be about right?

Regards

JD

Most and please note the word most Limousines only carry 8 though but thanks for your comments.

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Legal and proud

Loads a love from BERTIE !!

C GULL WROTE
might be an idea if we allsent a copy of this to our LOs asking them to do likewise.
and maybe the local press.




Now which part of the posts would you like to send to the local LO's and why please

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Legal and proud

Loads a love from BERTIE !!

In any article I've read it seems that the author isn't up to speed on the VOSA aspect, either with regard to up to eight seaters or eight plus. But perhaps this is hardly surprising since few in the trade seem to know about it either.

But I'm still a bit confused by all this. If the eight seaters have to adhere to the conditions specified by JD, then presumably in practical terms they can't operate?

As regards the 8+, Mr Kermit2482 said that some had been licensed by VOSA, but this had cost them a fortune, presumably to modify the vehicle. Don't you operate 8+ vehicles yourself Mr Kermit2482?

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

TDO WROTE
As regards the 8+, Mr Kermit2482 said that some had been licensed by VOSA, but this had cost them a fortune, presumably to modify the vehicle. Don't you operate 8+ vehicles yourself Mr Kermit2482?



No i dont operate over 8 seaters, as i dont feel the need however i personally have nothing against people that do, its just that you need to know how to operate such laws to be able to do it and not get prosecuted, and believe you me theres very few who actually know what their doing out there, but my heart goes out to those that do.

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Legal and proud

Loads a love from BERTIE !!

But it looks like they are going to be fans in Tameside.

http://www.tamesideadvertiser.co.uk/new ... limos.html

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IDFIMH

Now thats more like it and i would be happier to agree with that press release, although i would point out again that we do actually have some sort of crb check when licenced by VOSA, but thanks for your post sussex.

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Legal and proud

Loads a love from BERTIE !!

Your welcome. I'm interested in your 'some sort' of CRB check.

Is it the standard or the enhanced?

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IDFIMH

Sorry my english has not exactly been very good in the posts, yes your right its the standard CRB that we get and not the enhanced, and i think if im right that the enhanced covers more on a childs nature and being as a fair few of our bookings are childrens parties then i for 1 think that we ought to have the enhanced CRB check

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Legal and proud

Loads a love from BERTIE !!

The problem is that to have an enhanced CRB check you need to be exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act.

And that will take time, unless of course you are licensed as a PH.

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IDFIMH

Yes indeedy

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Legal and proud

Loads a love from BERTIE !!