Taxi Driver Online

Beware unlicenced limos

THE time of year when ‘proms’ and summer balls are held for students is fast-approaching and Mid Devon council has issued a warning about unlicensed limousines.

A council spokesman said: “Stretch limousines are imported vehicles of vastly differing standards and there are considerable numbers operating without appropriate licences with unlicensed drivers.”

Licensing Manager Marjory Parish said: “We would urge that any students or their parents who book a stretch limo for their big party night ask the operator what licence he has and then that it is checked.

“The operator will either be licensed with VOSA (the Vehicle and Operator Services Agency) or with the local authority where he is based.

“VOSA’s local office is in Exeter and may be contacted on 01392 279564 where they will be able to say if the vehicle is licensed with them.

“VOSA do not, however, have the power to check drivers. If the operator tells you it is with the local authority – which has the power to check both vehicles and drivers – then please ask which one and check with the licensing authority.

“If the vehicle is unlicensed please do not use it – they have the potential to be dangerous as means of transport.

“Additionally, the driver will not have gone through the enhanced CRB check required by local authorities and could be anyone.

“If you do happen to find unlicensed limousines please contact us on 01884 244617/8/9 or 244646 and we will take appropriate action.

“Limos are only lawfully able to carry a maximum of eight passengers – any more and it is being operated illegally.”

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IDFIMH

another half-true and confusing release then...





sort of, but if its held on an O-licence, with a COIF, etc the vehicle could be legal and the driver not need a CRB check?....

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Of all the things ive lost, i miss my mind the most

Also there are many vehicles that have a coif now for up to 18 passengers.

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Grandad,

now how does that work then, cos DVLA+VOSA have "minibuses" pegged at 9-16 passengers

18 would be a full PCV licence then? wouldnt a tacho be needed?

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Of all the things ive lost, i miss my mind the most

Yes and yes. Also a speed limiter.

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Grandad,

so if i see 18 passengers in a stretch passing at 75mph theres a fair chance somethings amiss?

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Of all the things ive lost, i miss my mind the most

Yes, it probably means that the windows need to be re-tinted.

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Grandad,

The fact that he might not legally require a CRB check doesn't mean that he shouldn't have one, and it still remains that most don't have them.

So the council's point is right, and I applaud them for publishing it.

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IDFIMH

A driving licence

You can't drive more than 16 passengers on an ordinary driving licence. For any reason

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http://wingsoverscotland.com/ http://www.newsnetscotland.com/

The council are fundementally wrong in their statements though. They state that the driver will not have had a crb check. How can they know for certain? Many have.
They state that anything with more than 8 seats is not licensed. Again this is not the case. Many are.

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Grandad,

The artical is right it is about Limousines which are a max of 8 passengers as your lot grandad register all the 4x4 stuff over 8 passengers as mini buses

Show me where in the post by Sussex at the start of this thread where it states that it is about 8 seat limousines!

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Grandad,

it says Stretch Limousines, any that are over 8 seats you all register as a Mini Bus to get round the coif issue, so what they say is right ... you cant all register your big things as mini buses .and a back door to get them into this country.and then want to call them Limousines just to suit you to get a higher rental price.

And dont try and say they are not registerd as mini bus as we know they are.

unless its a limo