Taxi Driver Online

Limo owner put off the road after licence row

THE owner of a party limousine hire business has been put off the road by Scotland’s traffic commissioner after it emerged the firm had been trading without a licence.

Traffic watchdogs only discovered Lisa Rafferty had been running Lanark­shire-based 1st Class Limos for years when she applied for permission to increase the number of vehicles used.

The company, which is popular with stag and hen parties, had also been supplying alcohol as part of the limousine hire package without holding a liquor licence.

It is the first firm to fall foul of new regulations designed to crack down on rogue limo hire companies. Traffic authorities also discovered Ms Rafferty had been trading under a variety of other names across the country.

Ms Rafferty, of Shotts, was ordered to attend a public inquiry after submitting an application to increase the number of vehicles on her licence.

During the inquiry it emerged the owner had a long history of unlawful trading and had claimed that a certificate from Motherwell College was a liquor licence.

Ms Rafferty was refused a Public Service Vehicle operator licence by Scotland’s Traffic Commissioner Joan Aitken. She said: “Such unlawful operating was in defiance of legislation and regulations, the purpose of which is to ensure the safety of passengers and the public.”

Ms Rafferty, 28, claimed she has been forced off the road because of delays in receiving new licences.

She said she intended to appeal the decision and added: “Joan Aitken has been vindictive from start to finish. “She’s been deliberately trying to put me out of business as she doesn’t like limousine hire.”

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IDFIMH

A bit like a burglar applying to the local police station for a few more addresses..Doh!