Limo Hire Info
Limousines and Your safety
Before hiring a stretched limousine, we strongly suggest you make yourself aware of the following safety requirements and satisfy yourself that your limo hire operator complies in all respects.
In the UK, private hire limo firms have fully vetted vehicles and chauffeurs. All chauffeur driven private hire limousines are restricted to a maximum of eight passengers irrespective of limo size. There are no exceptions to this rule under private hire regulations.
In order to carry more than eight passengers for hire and reward, a limo must be registered as a Public Service Vehicle (PSV) and have a Certificate of Initial Fitness (COIF). However, most of the American limousines, (including the large 4-wheel drive Hummer Limousines, Navigators, Escalades, Excursions, etc) do not yet comply with the certificate of initial fitness requirements.
More companies are looking to obtain PSV registered limos and some (but not all) Hummer linos and Ford Excursion Limos are starting to appear. At the time of publication, we are unaware of any PSV licensed limos carrying more than 8 passengers in Central Lancashire, East Lancs or West Lancashire. This position should change within weeks when Jet Set will unveil Blackpool's first Jet Set company chauffer driven PSV licensed 4x4 limo capable of carrying up to 13 passengers. Jet Set will also have the correct bus operators licence to ensure the greatest level of protection for passengers travelling in this truly fabulous vehicle.
Your Safety
Limo Hire, rather like taxi hire (private hire), is usually regulated by the local authority in which it is licensed, or by the local area traffic commissioner (in the case of bus licensed operators). These authorities are responsible for ensuring the safety of all passengers traveling in vehicles owned by operators who charge for their service. Not all operators are trading within the law so be careful to check that your limo hire service is before proceeding.
Your Protection
Private hire licensing authorities carry out regular vehicle safety checks and must satisfy themselves that relevant insurance and other documentation is in order each year. To further protect the public from unscrupulous operators, they also carry out regular chauffeur driving qualification checks and licence each chauffeur individually. Individual licensing also involves regular medical checks and annual criminal records bureau (CRB) checks. Bus licensing authorities insist on more stringent vehicle tests and slightly more relaxed chauffeur regulations although since most operators are members of the National Limousine & Chauffeur Association who ask members to carry out CRB checks on all drivers, it is worthwhile asking your limo operator not just how they are licensed, but also if they are members of the NLCA.
Dodgy Limo Operators
We strongly advise you not to use a limo hire operator that does not comply with legal requirements. If you are hiring on behalf of a friend, family, employee or client, you may become personally liable if you provide a limousine hire service that is not operated within the law and something goes wrong.
Now the Good News
- Jet Set Limousines are regulated by Fylde Borough Council & Blackpool Borough Council under the private hire regulations.
- The owners are deemed to be fit and proper persons for the purposes of operating stretched limousines for private hire
- Its chauffeurs and vehicles are all fully licensed, and safety and maintenance are never compromised
- Copies of licenses are available to view by our clients
- Jet Set won the title of best limo company in Europe for 2007/08
- The Jet Set Chauffeur team are tranined to the highest possible standards and includes the European Chauffeur of the Year 2007/08.
Want to find out more?
Please Email Us or call on 01772 436676 or 01253 343322.