Taxi Driver Online

Limousine hire firm is stretching it
16 February 2007

LAURA DEVLIN

Getting 13 people into a car sounds like an impossible and uncomfortable record-breaking attempt.

But a whopping monster cruising Norwich's streets is doing just that - and with room to spare.

This 30ft white limo puts the "stretch" in to cars of its class and claims to have all the comfort and luxury of a five star hotel suite on wheels, with leather seats, drinks and a DVD player.

As our pictures show, 13 people can easily clamber on board and enjoy the ride while their chauffeur takes the strain - as long as he can find a parking space big enough.

The Ford Excursion, which is licensed to take five more people than the standard limo limit of eight, is specially crafted to safely carry large numbers and is the biggest of its kind in Norfolk.

"It's the only one this side of London," said owner Kenny Cooke, who runs the coach and taxi firm Dolphin Autos in the city.

"It is completely different to other limousines, which have an extra piece put in the middle, but this is built more like a coach. It's got a full bar, TVs - in fact I can't think of anything it hasn't got. We even had to get a pub licence for the bar so we could sell alcohol on board."

The jeep-style limo, which has been in business since September, has proved popular for travelling in style to West End shows and even school proms.

Once inside, passengers can settle into the sprawling leather seats, enjoy the champagne lifestyle, listen to a CD or watch a DVD and generally get the party started before they even reach their destination.

Most limousines used in the UK for parties, hen nights and weddings are up to 25ft long, but the Ford Excursion is twice as long as the average saloon car.

http://business.edp24.co.uk/story.aspx? ... 3A09%3A750

licensed under PSV legislation.

Regards

JD

Absolutely and yes it is most definately a case now that some limo ops are able to carry up to 16 passengers perfectly legally

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Legal and proud

Loads a love from BERTIE !!

But what about safely?

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IDFIMH

and safely, no problem under same regulations as applies to bigger psv and from April tach rules as well[/quote]

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you can check out any time you like, but you can never leave.

What you mean that some time in the future they might just have to pay income tax?

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IDFIMH

you funny man

This guy is licensed correctly and going about his business correctly.
Credit where it is due

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you can check out any time you like, but you can never leave.

he is legal but what about the others .... I hear that they are now sailing so close to the wind they are going out self drive hire to try and get around normal laws for more than 8 passengers......
you got to give it to them if there is a fiddle they will find it....

Surely if its legal then why not, Also with regard to safety Tulsa has it correct and thats also the reason why certain things are done when a limo goes through a schedule 6 conversion, safety is paramount ie a rail at the end of the seats and seat measurements to ensure no overcrowding and positive marking of the emergency exits, Seriously folks for the main in the limo world things have well and truly tightened up and yes its about time too, but like i say for the ops that are doing it properly safety is paramount and to be fair to most of them it always has been. Its always the same you get a small handfull that will give all the others a bad name!! As for a loophole for the over 8,s i dont honestly think it is its perfectly legal and a top Barrister came up with the idea of the system that is already in place but just adapted it to suit the limo ops with some very clever wording to boot, big up that barrister in my opinion

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Legal and proud

Loads a love from BERTIE !!

I'm with you on this Mr Frog.

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IDFIMH

Why thank you Mr Sussex

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Legal and proud

Loads a love from BERTIE !!

If a motor wont go through it the right way its not right... full stop....Self drive hire is b@@@@hit and you all know it.. There is no way you lot will let anybody hire one of your expensive motors out for a stanger to drive..
If its not right to hire it out for hire & reward its not right for self drive either, what ever you do to it.
The poor coach companies do every thing 100% and you lot take the pi@@. I hope VOSA etc take you all the way to the cleaners.
And if there is any justise they will.
dont try and justify them as useing loop holes proves there guilt.
You are takeing the pi@@ out of every one on here that is above board and going about there business the proper way and being licensed

Wind your neck in and listen for a sec, the system was actually developed by a top VOSA barrister, You clearly dont know anything about the system and it shows, ITS PERFECTLY LEGAL and all companies will offer to assist you to find a chauffeur from another company to drive the vehicle, thus making it totally legal. People like you just cant handle the fact that we have come up with a legal system but i cant for the life of me work out why you have such a problem, you make your money and we make ours, why cant you leave us be to do this and concentrate your efforts on the unlicenced mob, I personally would support you on that, warm regards

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Legal and proud

Loads a love from BERTIE !!

Ah just sussed it thats the word for it JEALOUSY

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Legal and proud

Loads a love from BERTIE !!

Lets get a few things straight, First you clam to wont to concentrate on getting rid of unlicensed mob..but thats you lot, self drive hire . you dont run under any rules.there is no one regulating you the drivers hours are not being regulated as there is no taco and if as we are lead to believe the drivers are nothing to do with the company, then how dose anyone know what hours are being worked by these so called independent drivers.They could be driving 20 hours a day 7 days a week all for differnt companies who would know or care.Only One barrister in his opinion said its legal, but in a judges eyes he properly wont. that's how the legal lot make there money. It surly cant be right if the vechile is unsuitable for hire & reward what makes it suitable because it has the odd hand rail fitted to then go out self drive hire.VOSA wont let them go hire & reward even after the convertion. I quite except the 8 seat limo is now legal as most councils licence them, and should do. So hiring out self drive hire the punter calls the shots. he hires the motor then hires the driver and tells the driver where to go and what to do, over the given agreed time..( i dont think so )
Pull the other one..its got bells on .
Its normal hire & reward but in a different name, without any regulation.
No different to all the unlicensed mob you go on about....
And the point about being Jealous ... no way I am not the one with the over inflated motor & ego.…so think of another name .may be concerned,
or could it be I dont like spivs and people trying to go the back door meathod with somthing as serious as public transport.