The Limo & Chauffeur Company Blog

Limo companies caught out by SVA issues

noreply@blogger.com (LimoPlay) — Wed, 09 Jan 2008 13:14:00 +0000

My spies tell me that a there are a good number of limo firms out there that have not managed to meet the deadline on the 1st January 2008 to register their business for private hire and there are a number of reasons for this.

There are 3 options for registration, a PHV Licence which is issued by the local councils, a Bus Operators Licence or in the case of London, a PHV Licence issued by the Public Carriage Office. However, all of these organisations require that the limousine have a SVA certificate before they will allow it to be licensed. The problem here is, when many of the limos were imported into the country, an SVA was not necessarily required, but now that the rules have been tightened, it is nigh on impossible for a limo to get a retrospective SVA. So the limo companies are in limbo. They can sell the limo and buy one with an SVA, apply for a voluntary SVA with all of the technical details and vehicle specifications that are required, not to mention the expense. They could operate illegally or simply give up and become a train driver.

Even those who have an SVA or have overcome this obstacle are still not out of the woods. Many limo operators have discovered to their cost, that the process to licence the business, cars and drivers is a long one and each part of the process must be completed in order. So, something that many limo businesses thought would take a few weeks, has often taken months and the result is, that come the 1st January, some companies have still not managed to complete the process. It is difficult not to feel some sympathy for these individuals and companies, but that must be countered by the fact that there has been almost 18 months notice of the change.

It remains to be seen as to how many limo companies will be affected and what their response will be, some may opt for a career change or take a sabbatical whilst waiting for the licenses to come through, but you can bet your bottom dollar that a few will carry on trading.

Good luck if you are looking for a licensed limo in London

noreply@blogger.com (GB Man) — Wed, 09 Jan 2008 12:30:00 +0000

Rumours are abound that in January 2008, there are less licensed limo companies in London, than there were last year. Now that may surprise industry pundits, given there was a change to the law which came into force on the 1st January 2008 which required all limo companies to register their business for hire or reward. In London these companies should have registered their businesses with the Public Carriage Office.

So what has happened, have they decided to throw in the towel? Well no.... it seems that many have decided to re-package their limo business, offering limousines for hire on a self-drive hire basis, with the requirement that the customer then employs their own driver, the limo company will have a list of drivers that the hirer can choose from and the customer must pay the driver themselves. Voila! No need to licence with the PCO, no need to employ drivers that have been CRB checked, no need to worry about those enhanced vehicle tests.

Is there anything the PCO enforcement officers can do? Probably not! Can the Department for Transport do anything, yes, they could address the legislation, but they probably won't. So what will happen next? If the unlicensed minicab drivers in London get wind of this, maybe they could also use this tactic to allow them to collect fares legally. They could borrow their mate Harry's car, then go around London picking up customers, all they have to do is get the punter to sign a contract that says they are hiring the car from his mate Harry on a self-drive basis and then they can employ the unlicensed minicab driver to take them to their destination. Ludicrous yes, but why not, if the limo bosses have found a workaround, why not the unlicensed minicabs?

The transport agencies have known about this self-drive hire business for nearly 2 years, it is a pity they didn't consider this when they made the changes to the RTA, once again, the general public are let down by the very people who are entrusted to protect us.

Limo companies outmanoeuvre new private hire legislation

noreply@blogger.com (Newbie) — Wed, 09 Jan 2008 11:05:00 +0000

Rather than licence their businesses, limos and drivers, it would appear that many limousine companies have simply decided to opt for the self-drive hire route. Briefly, this is where the customer agrees to hire the limo on a self-drive basis, but "employs" the services of a professional chauffeur to drive the limo. The hirer must pay the chauffeur direct and in some cases, will also be expected to pay for fuel as well. The arguments as to whether or not this is legal have a momentum of their own, but the bottom line is VOSA have done nothing, that tends to speak volumes, or maybe they just can't be bothered.

So despite the best endeavours of the Government to safeguard the travelling with the amendment to the Road Traffic Act, some (maybe many) limo bosses have simply changed the way they operate their business. So it looks like an own goal for the Department for Transport, ironic given it had taken them so long to improve the legislation in the first place.

Pity the poor individuals and companies that have spent their hard earned money to comply with the revised Act, only to find that they may as well spent it on a good holiday and set up a self-drive hire business instead.

Unlicensed limo companies finally outlawed in the UK

noreply@blogger.com (Newbie) — Mon, 24 Dec 2007 14:18:00 +0000

From the 1st January 2008, all companies offering stretched limousines for hire must be fully licensed to offer their limousine for hire, the only exception if limousines used exclusively for weddings. This follows amendments made to the Road Traffic Act 2006.

In the past, many limousine companies used the so called “seven day rule” to allow them to operate as a limousine hire company. This was sometimes because the limo company could not be bothered to go through the hassle and expense of licensing their business, vehicles and chauffeurs, but also, and more commonly, as a direct consequence of their local authority either refusing to licence stretched limousines or introducing conditions that made it virtually impossible to comply. Invariably there were neighbouring local authorities that had a completely different interpretation of the rules relating to private hire, in relation to left-hand drive stretched limousines. The Government introduced the amendments to ensure that there was a common framework for limousine companies in relation to private hire and to introduce some regulation to a hitherto unregulated, burgeoning industry.

Fortunately for existing operators, the Government announced a delay to the introduction of the amendments to provide existing operators ample time to make the necessary arrangements to licence their business, vehicles and their chauffeur, in fact, the industry have had close to 18 months notice. Of course some limousine companies may already have ‘voluntarily’ licensed their business for private hire, if their local authority supported such applications and the business owner wanted to operate their business in a regulated and completely legal way.

So, given the industry has known about these changes for nearly 18 months, there is no excuse for any company to be operating an unlicensed limousine business and any that do, should be viewed in exactly the same was as an unlicensed mini-cab operator would be.

Of course those limousine operators that have invested the time and money into becoming licensed can rightly expect swift and decisive action from the enforcement officers against any limousine operators who continue to trade without an appropriate private hire licence. In the past the Police, local authorities and VOSA have failed to have a coordinated approach to this issue. Now, following the change to the Road Traffic Act, the public and the industry is entitled to expect these Government agencies to do their jobs.

No doubt there will still be some operators that whine about the amount of time they have been given to conform, but 18 months is a long time, plenty of notice for an operator to go through the necessary steps to licence their operation, vehicles and chauffeurs. Therefore they deserve no sympathy, if they have not licensed their business, then they are not entitled to trade and if they do, the Government agencies must prosecute all cases with vigour.

Many in the limousine industry have argued for regulation and they now have it, whilst not perfect, it is a good start and you can expect the vast majority of these operators to both welcome and conform to the new requirements. Others may feel that the costs were prohibitive and decided to exit the business; this means there may be less capacity in 2008, however, this is likely to be short lived as the professional operators expand to fill any void. Nonetheless, there will still be a hardcore of operators that consider the law is not for them and fail to licence, these people should be pursued, reported and prosecuted to the full extent of the law until they have all been closed down and until this has been completed, the Government agencies will have failed in their statutory obligations to the public and the private hire industry.

Should I ask a limo agent to find me a limo for hire?

noreply@blogger.com (Newbie) — Mon, 22 Oct 2007 13:35:00 +0000

The first and most obvious question is one you must ask yourself. That is, do they add any value, or will I just be paying more for less? There are a number of websites in the UK, that require you to complete a single form, then they will then send this to limousine companies in your area, who will quote you direct, cutting out the middleman. It is also worth remembering that there are more than 20 Limousine Directories focusing on the UK market, each containing a list of limo companies. These are typically categorised by county, city or town, so the task of finding a limousine company is not a daunting one. Finding a good one, may be a little more challenging, therefore, you need to establish exactly what this limo agency will be offering you. Listed below are a series of questions that will provide you with a good starting point.

If they are suggesting or imply that they offer the "best prices" or their "prices can't be beaten", then ask if they are prepared to provide you with a guarantee, after all, if they are as good as they think they are, then this is not really a concession, but an act of confidence.

Are they acting on your behalf or the limousine company? - This is an important question given it will provide an indication of whether or not you will be offered the best prices.
Do they charge you a booking fee for their services and if so, how much will it be?
Do they receive a commission from the limousine company and if so, how much is it? - You
will want to know whether this is received instead of, or in addition to the booking fee
Is the hire contract with them or the limousine company? - This is critical, because you need to know what the terms and conditions are before you book
Are they Licensed as a Private Hire Operator? - If the hire contract is booked through an agent or broker, then they should be Licensed as a Private Hire Operator
Will they show you the quotes that they have received on your behalf? - You will want to validate that they have indeed offered you the best price and also, that the vehicle and services were equal
Can you see images of the actual limousine that you will be offered? - Never be palmed off with generic images, you are hiring a limousine, not a Ford Mondeo and no two limousines are alike
Are their sub-contractors subjected to a vetting procedure? - If so, you need to establish what is checked and when was the last time they were vetted
Are they prepared to let you know which company will be providing your limousine? -They may not be keen to let you have this information prior to booking, but there is no reason they should not, once the deposit has been paid
Do they have a set of terms and conditions? - These are important, because the agent or broker will want to cover themselves if the limousine company does not deliver, somake sure they are fair and equitable. This will be your best indication as to the type of agent or broker you are dealing with
Do they provide you with the telephone number of the limousine company? - If something goes wrong on the night, (such as the limo being late) you will want to be able to call the limousine company direct, if you have to go through the agent or broker, then you will need to establish their operating hours
What happens if you want to extend the hire? - Nearly a third of all hires are extended, so establish who you will have to pay if this is the case and what the rates will be?
Do they confirm the details prior to the hire? - When you are using a third party, there is a real risk of miscommunication over, times, dates etc. You should insist that you are contacted 48 hours or so prior to the hire to confirm the details

Remember, if you are using a third party to book your limousine hire, you have no way, unless they tell you who the company will be, of completing an internet search see if the limo company has had any poor press. Given you are placing a great deal of faith in the agent or broker to deliver the goods, you should not allow the third party to shirk their responsibility by refusing to accept any liability if something were to go wrong with the hire. After all, they are supposed to be acting on your behalf, you have placed your trust in them and they are earning a fee and/or a commission. Equally, you are flying blind, you want to hire a decent limousine, so you need to have some guarantees with regard to the limousine you are being offered and the company providing the service. Anyone can offer a cheaper hire if the limousine costs £10,000 instead of £60,000, so you must establish that a cheaper hire, does not just mean a cheap limo and a cheap service. It has to be a apples for apples comparison, otherwisw it is just a case of smoke and mirrors.

If you believe the agent or broker can offer you a limousine that is equivalent or better than that offered elsewhere, with a decent, licensed limousine company, for less than you would pay direct, then it sounds like a good deal and you should book with the agent or broker. But remember, it is a much easier to make promises, than it is to deliver on them and the risk will inevitably lie with you.

Limousine Hire Directory

noreply@blogger.com (Newbie) — Fri, 19 Oct 2007 16:40:00 +0000

Finding a limousine company in the UK has never been easier thanks to a the Chauffeur Cars & Limousine Hire Directory. From one website, users can locate companies providing chauffeur driven cars, limousine hire and wedding cars anywhere in the UK. There are additional sections for specialist vehicles, such as Fire Engine Limos, Pink Limousines, and prestige vehicles such as Rolls Royce and Bentley Cars.

The Chauffeur Cars & Limousine Directory is categorised by type of hire and county. This allows the users to select from Chauffeur Cars, Wedding Cars, Limousines, Speciality and Events Vehicles and of course, businesses specialising in providing transport to and from the major UK airports. With each company listed there is a brief description of what they offer, a telephone number, website address (where provided) and an email contact address.

The Chauffeur Cars & Limousine Hire Directory includes nearly 300 companies, is free to use and provides a very rapid search.

Event Transport for the Cheltenham Festival

noreply@blogger.com (Newbie) — Thu, 18 Oct 2007 15:42:00 +0000

In 2005, the Cheltenham Festival, originally introduced in 1902, was extended to 4 days during which there are 24 races. The racecourse employs 60 full-time staff, which rises to to over 1000 for race meetings and in excess of 5000 for the Cheltenham Festival. This event has now reached a status where more and more individuals, companies and event organisers are demanding quality transport, to and from the evnt and as often as not, for the duration of the day. Requests are received for top of the range people carriers, chauffeur driven cars and stretched limousines.

The Cheltenham Festival is the most prestigious meeting in the National Hunt racing calendar in the United Kingdom and has race prize money during the festival of £3m, making it second only to the Grand National. During the festival, over 180,000 visitors descend on Cheltenham, more than doubling the local population. It is estimated that an average of £1m is bet with course bookies on each of the 24 races. The first Cheltenham Festival meeting took place in 1902 and since then has continued to gain prominence within the racing calendar. The Feature Races include The Champion Hurdle which is run on the Tuesday and is the first showpiece event. This is followed on the Wednesday with the Queen Mother Champion Chase and on Friday with the Cheltenham Gold Cup.

Visitors frequently choose to be chauffeured to the Cheltenham Festival in top of the range chauffeur driven cars, such as a Rolls Royce, Bentley Arnage, or Maybach. Plus the tradition of selecting the best stretched limousines available remains strong. Visitors frequently retain their chauffeur cars or limousines for the duration of their visit, with the chauffeur services companies providing open sided marquees, tables and chairs for their guests.

Cars for Stars is an award winning company offering a wide range of chauffeur driven cars and the very latest stretched limousines. The chauffeur cars available for the Cheltenham Festival include the Rolls Royce Phantom, Maybach 62, Bentley Arnage, the all new Jaguar XJ (LWB), latest Mercedes S Class (LWB), Range Rover Vogue as well as Mercedes people carriers. Stretched limousines for hire are available in different shapes and sizes, in white, black, silver, metallic blue, vanilla white and candy apple red.

Cars for Stars is a franchised business, with offices in major locations throughout the UK and, all Cars for Stars businesses are licensed for private hire by the relevant local authority, in London this is the Public Carriage Office (PCO). This means that all Cars for Stars franchisees are registered for private hire, the limousines are licensed as private hire vehicles and the chauffeurs are licensed to drive the cars and limousines. The chauffeur cars and limousines do not have a private hire plate attached because of a successful application for exemption.

From the 1st January 2008, all limousine companies, that were not previously licensed to offer limousines for hire or reward, will have to be licensed. As with every licensed limousine hire operator, Cars for Stars is open to regular checks and scrutiny by the local authorities, the chauffeur driven cars and limousines offered for hire are also subjected to stringent and regular checks. All chauffeur's have to pass a medical and criminal records bureau check before they can be Licensed. Cars for Stars offers a package for the Cheltenham Festival which includes an open sided marquee, tables and chairs.

Alternative sources for chauffeur cars and limousine hire include: Chauffeur Cars Directory, Chauffeur Cars & Limousine Directory as well as a number of general web directories.

Can I trademark the term Limo Company or Limo Hire?

noreply@blogger.com (Newbie) — Thu, 18 Oct 2007 15:20:00 +0000

You can use the term, but you cannot trademark it and even adding the ™ will afford no protection. Similarly, it is not possible to trademark other similar terms such as 'Limo Agent', 'Limo Sales', 'Limo Hire', 'Limo Services', 'Limo Firm' and so on. Why? Because these are everyday, descriptive terms and used to describe a service. The law cannot and will not allow the trade marking of such terms, otherwise the provider of that service would have an unfair advantage over his competitors.

Similarly, you cannot trademark a generic terms, which would describe the general category to which the service or product belongs. For example the word "Limousine" or "Limo" is a generic term for limousine, thus it is afforded no protection in law because they are simply too useful for identifying a particular product range or service, such as "Limousine Hire". Many generic terms may also be descriptive terms. Imagine, if you will, an insurance broker that tried to claim rights for the term 'insurance broker' or the mobile phone manufacturer that attempted to claim the mark 'mobile phone', it is just too silly for words!

It is possible to trademark a distinctive logo that includes these terms. For example, if the individual wanting to use trademark "Limo Sales", produced a unique and distinctive design incorporating those words, it is likely, though never certain, that the mark could be registered. The registration process can be long and quite expensive, whilst you can complete the process yourself, because it is a complex area, there can be some benefit in using specialist solicitors or agents.

The symbol ™ is used to indicate that a word, phrase, logo or design is treated as a trademark by the party. That is, that the party claims rights in the mark, but as alluded to earlier, descriptive and generic terms cannot be trademarked. The symbol ™ is often misused, but this is more likely to be a result of ignorance, rather that any realistic claim to the phrase. Similarly, enforcement of a phrase, simply because it was marked with the symbol ™ would be prone to failure, unless the party could claim some secondary use and have significant resources to employ experts. The trademark must be registered to use the instantly recognisable ® symbol.

Royal Ascot 2008 | Will their be a shortage of limos for hire?

noreply@blogger.com (Newbie) — Tue, 16 Oct 2007 12:28:00 +0000

Royal Ascot week will be a little different in 2008 for those who traditionally book a limo to take them to and from the event. This is a direct consequence of changes in the regulations related to the Licensing of limousine companies, their limousines and their chauffeurs. An explanation is provided below. Now that the dates for Royal Ascot 2008 have been announced as the 17th June 2008 through to the 21st June (Ladies Day is the 19th June), then many people will be thinking about booking a stretched limousine. Of course, every year, limousine companies will provide the same advice, which is, if you want to have the best choice of limousines, from the more established operators, then you need to book early. This year, however, the advice is even more relevant!

In the past, it has not been necessary for limousine companies to be Licensed by the Traffic Commissioners or their local District Council, but from the 1st January 2008, this has been changed as a consequence of an amendment contained in The Road Traffic Act 2006. As a consequence, from the 1st January 2008 all companies offering limousines for 'hire or reward' must be licensed either as a Private Hire Vehicle Operator or a Bus Operator, similarly, every limousine offered for hire will have to be pass an appropriate test before it will be Licensed. Similarly, all Chauffeur's will have to be Licensed, which will include a medical and Criminal Records Bureau check. Of course, some limousine companies have been Licensed for years, but there are many more that have not.

To register a limousine for hire or reward, it will have to pass an SVA (many have not), or been registered as a private minibus, alternatively have a Certificate of Initial Fitness. These obligations will be a significant burden on many limousine companies and as a direct consequence, it is highly likely that there will be less limousines available in 2008, than there were ii 2007. In addition, many part-time limousine operators have already decided that they do not wish to go through the process and expense of Licensing. In the past, it has been these operators that have provided much of the additional capacity required for Royal Ascot.

Because Royal Ascot also coincides with many school proms, it also remains the busiest week of the year for limousine companies, therefore with the the added complication of limo companies having to License their business, vehicles and chauffeurs, a shortage is virtually inevitable.

Cars for Stars in London is licensed by the Public Carriage Office (PCO) for private hire and other Cars for Stars branches are licensed through their local authority. Therefore, the businesses are subject to regular assessments to ensure that they comply with all of the regulations, the vehicles must be subjected to regular and very stringent tests, in order that they can retain their private hire vehicle licence and of course the chauffeurs must also be licensed to drive these vehicles. For a chauffeur to obtain and maintain their licence they must be subjected to and pass a medical and will also be subject to a Criminal Records Bureau check. Cars for Stars offer a full complement of chauffeur driven cars and American limousines for hire.

If Cars for Stars cannot assist you, it is worthwhite trying the specialist Chauffeur Cars Directory, the Chauffeur Cars & Limousine Hire Directory or a directory with a large selection of UK chauffeur cars and limousine hire companies.

Looking to hire a limo in the UK, Have you found a Ghost Website?

noreply@blogger.com (Newbie) — Sat, 13 Oct 2007 18:25:00 +0000

If you have searched for a limousine to hire recently, you will have undoubtedly come across so called "Ghost Websites". These are websites where the owners have not provided any clear indication of who they are or where they are situated. For example, they have a trading name, but make no mention of what entity 'owns' this trading style, or perhaps, they have not bothered to include their trading address and/or a contact email address. If you have, then hopefully you gave them a wide berth, because any individual, company or organisation that expects you to part with money without telling you who they are or where they trade from, is not deserving of your business. Not only that, but they have breached UK laws as a consequence. It may be through ignorance, not that this is an excuse, but it could also be because they just don't want you to know!

There is an increasing tendency on the internet to come up with a common term and use this as a trading name, this is normally to assist in their search engine rankings, but can also be used to give the impression that they are a local company, when they are not! Another wheeze used by such 'companies' is to use the term "Welcome to XYZ Company .co.uk", this is clearly intended to provide the impression that it is some for of entity, but it is not, unless they follow the rules.

For example: If a company is using the trading style "Limo Hire London" this is perfectly acceptable, provided they make clear that this is a trading style or trading name, rather than a "trading entity". So, for example, if the trading entity was a Limited company called, Newco Limousine Limited, the website must clearly state the relevance or relationship of the trading style or name to the trading entity. In this case, it would be acceptable, to include on the website the following statement "Limo Hire London is the trading name of Newco Limousines Limited", or something similar, provided it is not ambiguous. Similarly, if the trading entity is an individual called John Arthur Smight, then an acceptable statement on the website would be "John Arthur Smight trading as Limo Hire London". This information does not have to be on every page of the website (but why not?), but it must be legible and easy to find.

Why does it matter? Well if something goes wrong, you can't sue Limo Hire London, because is is not a trading entity, it is just 3 words that have been strung together. Similarly, you could not apply and receive a VAT number with the name Limo Hire London, because it is not an entity. So the law states that owners of websites must include this information by statute, it is not an option, and that has to afford the consumer some protection.

But what else constitutes a Ghost Website? Take another look through the limousine websites you visited before and check to see how many actually included their trading address. Why would a genuine trading entity not include their trading address? After all, their website will typically contain a solicitation to trade, because they are advertising their products for hire, so how can they expect you to trust them when they provide such limited information? You wouldn't hand over money to a stranger on the street in the same circumstances, so what is the difference? A pretty internet based shop window, with seductive promises, maybe a few unsubstantiated or outlandish claims, should not provide you with the incentive to deal with them if they have failed to provide a full disclosure of their trading entity and address. Makes sense, doesn't it?

If the trading entity is a Limited company, then they must include the full name of the Limited Company, the Registration Number and the Place of Registration for example: "Newco Limousines Limited is a company registered in England and Wales - Company Registration Number: 012345678"

All of these websites must also include an email address for visitors to make contact, this cannot be the more commonly used web based contact forms.

We are all human and the majority of us are susceptible to a good sales pitch, but we are often less guarded on the internet, because we believe that we are in control. But is that really true? Lets assume that you are looking for a limousine to hire for you and your work colleagues. You will have different priorities, or at least, order of priorities, these may typically include the type of limousine you want, how many passengers can be carried, the price, if it is available and so on. Now, the websites owners know this, so once you have found them they will be quickly trying to establish credibility with you to stop you moving on.

This may be to state that they are based in your area, even if they are not, they will use keywords such as 'leading limousine company', 'largest fleet in the area', 'national service', or they may event go on to promise any limousine you desire.....yeah right! You may even find limo agents and brokers claiming to be limousine hire companies, when they don't own a single vehicle, it is a voyage of discovery. However, there is a risk that the words used to seduce our senses actually start to go to work and before you know it, you are calling or filling in an online form. It doesn't matter though, because you are in control, aren't you? But did you check to see if they had included who they were and where they traded from, did you independently verify any of their statements, did you consider that many of their statements were subjective, therefore impossible to confirm? Probably not, but you are in control, aren't you?

By the time you start to receive your quotes, whether by phone or email, you will almost certainly have forgotten most of what was included (and excluded) on their website. The seduction process has worked, because from 60m people, you are now having a one to one with the limo company! How many of you will ask them to substantiate the claims made on their website? Technically speaking, there is a subtle difference between using exaggerated claims and outright lies, but this may be a clue as to the type of business you intend dealing with and, the clues were directly in front of you. Then, what about the fact that they have not included statutory information on their website, was this an honest mistake, or something more sinister, have they got something to hide? Why is a professional Limousine Company operating a Ghost Website?

Questions to ask of a limo hire agent or broker

noreply@blogger.com (Newbie) — Thu, 11 Oct 2007 13:26:00 +0000

If you have decided that you do not have the time to find a limousine company to hire a limo, you may elect to use an limo broker or agency. This aspect of the limousine business is relatively new and has no specific regulation or code of conduct, therefore, it is necessary to be armed with some pertinent questions, for which you will want clear and unequivocal answers. There is another article available in this series which asks rhetorically, whether it is worth using a limo hire agent or broker.

Questions:

Do you charge an agency/brokers fee, if so, how much is the fee and is it based on the value of the hire or fixed?
Do you receive a percentage of the hire value, if so how much and, is this in place of ,or in addition to the agency/brokers fee?
If you are taking my booking, charging me the deposit and/or fees, do you need an Operators Licence, if so, can you tell me what type of Licence you hold?
What form of vetting, if any, do you carry out on the limousine companies you recommend, what type of information do you gather and how often do you update your records?
How can I be certain that the company you recommend will have the appropriate licenses and insurance at the time of my hire?
I understand that all limousine companies should be licensed for hire. Will you tell me in advance of my booking what type if licence the limo company holds and include this on the contract?
Will I be able to see pictures of the actual limousine before I book?
Am I subject to your terms and condition or those of the limousine company?
Can I see a copy of the terms and conditions that I am expected to adhere to?
When will you tell me which company is going to service my hire, can I contact them direct for any alternations, or do I have to go through you?
Who is responsible if the limo doesn't turn up or if I am not provided with the one promised?
If, for any reason, you have to place my hire through another limousine company, will I be notified and will I be given the opportunity to cancel and receive a full refund?

There may be other pertinent questions you could or should add to this list, but provided you receive reasonable and acceptable answers to these questions, then you will reduce the risks which are uniquely attached to placing your booking through a third party company.

Is it worth using a limo hire agent or broker

noreply@blogger.com (Newbie) — Thu, 11 Oct 2007 13:23:00 +0000

There are an increasing number of limo brokers and agents surfacing on the internet and the type and level of service you receive is likely to vary from company to company. First of all, you need to decide whether it is actually worth the effort, by the very nature of their business, they are at least one step removed from the limo company that would be providing the hire, in addition, there is no solid evidence that they will be any price benefits from using an agent or broker. In fact, because must will either charge a fee, or expect a 'commission from the limousine company, you may actually end up spending more. Lets look at what they offer in a little more detail, but remember, each company (agent or broker) will differ in what they offer, so you will need to make your own judgements.

Most brokers or agents will argue that they have a large database of limousine companies available to them, this would imply that there is either something unique in this regard or that it is difficult for the average consumer to find a limo company. Well, let us take a look at this claim, because with the internet at hand, you also have a large database of prospective limo companies available to you. A quick search on Google (UK) for 'pink limo hire' provides a result of 126,000 references. Or, we can try another search, the limousine industry is supported with a number of limousine directories and search of Google UK using the search term 'limousine directory' provides 8 different directories on the first page, each with their own database of companies offering limousines and, most are sorted by area, so finding a local company is surely not that difficult.

Perhaps then, the limo agent or broker, is offering better value that you could find if you were conducting your own search and negotiations. The agent or broker must make a living, unless of course, they are a registered charity. This means that a proportion of what you are paying will go back to the agent or broker. This may be transparent through a agent or brokers fee charged upfront, or it could be a that they receive a percentage of the hire charge, some may even receive both, a 'booking fee' and a percentage from the limo company. Either way, they will receive a percentage of what you are paying, just for providing a service that you could just as easily conduct yourself. There is no evidence that an agent or broker can secure you a better rate for the hire, in fact, to their credit, none of these agencies or brokers appear to make this claim, although you could argue that it is implied by some of their description. So unlike, for example, an insurance broker who would provide you with a range of quotes from named suppliers, a limo agent or broker does not promise to do this. Maybe this is because you could go direct and secure a better price, or perhaps, they don't actually go to more than one supplier, either way, it does not suggest that you will receive the best price available for your particular specifications.

If we assume, through the demonstration provided above, that there is no particular difficulty in finding a limousine company and there is almost certainly no financial benefit in using an agent or broker, then maybe there is some security provided in terms of the 'quality or reliability' of the limousine company proposed. Here a clue can be found in the terms and conditions of the agent or broker, if they continually refer to how they cannot be held responsible for anything, even though they have recommended the company, brokered the deal and processed your instructions then this should be a case of 'caveat emptor' or 'buyer beware'. The reality is, that a company can include whatever they want within their terms and conditions, but in many instances, these would not stand the test of a court case. Reading the terms and conditions will provide you with a 'flavour' of the company, particularly if you read them in tandem with their sales pitch. For example, if they state on their website that they will find you the exact limousine you want in order to seduce you into using them and then, their terms state for example, that they are entitled to substitute the limousine for another vehicle without recourse to you, then what does that really tell you?

Some agents and brokers will brag that they have some form of approval scheme or vetting procedure. It is far easier to make this statement than it is to deliver on the implied value of such schemes. For example, the agent or broker may claim to have vetted the limousine company to ensure that they have the appropriate licenses, insurance and certifications for their limousines. If true, that really does hold vale, but let us look at the claim in more detail. As a consumer, you should insist on knowing when the last time the company was vetted, what form did this take, can they (the broker or agent) provide any evidence that the company has an appropriate licence and insurance and more importantly, can they confirm that they are valid at the time you book and provide a guarantee that they will be valid on the date of your hire. In truth, it is virtually impossible for any agent or broker to provide these guarantees, unless that are very 'hands on' in which case they will provide you with the prerequisite undertakings. If they don't or can't, then you should ask them why they use terminology which would suggest or imply that their vetting procedures have some value.

Another important aspect for anyone looking to hire a limousine is what you are actually hiring, the reality is, you want to hire something special or a little different and deciding which one is right for you is a personal affair, much the same as when you are looking to buy clothes, only a few brave souls would leave it to their mum. So, don't let the agent or broker palm you off with a generic picture, you are probably going to spend quite a lot of money, so at the very least, you will want to see some pictures of the actual limo being offered to you. If they can't show you images of the limousine they are taking a booking on, then you would be much better off completing your own research, no argument!

Returning to the terms and conditions for the actual hire. You need to establish whether you will be required only to adhere to the terms and conditions of hire provided by the agent or broker, or if you will also be required to accept the terms and conditions of hire provided by the limousine company. This is a very important point. If you have to accept both sets of terms, then you need to know which set takes precedent in the event that they differ and, it is not unreasonable for you to ask, prior to booking, for a set of the limousine companies terms and conditions. If the agent or broker refuses, then it is unlikely you can be legally bound by any terms not disclosed. In addition, if you are asked to sign a separate set of terms and conditions, by the limousine company, which substantially or materially differs from those you accepted from the agent or broker, you would almost certainly be entitled to a refund of all monies paid, including any agency fees.

There is another interesting aspect to hiring a limousine through a broker or agent and that is who is legally responsible if there is a failure to perform to contract, for example the limousine company sends you the wrong colour limousine, they don't turn up, they cancel your hire etc. This is because, in the absence of a contract between you and the actual limousine company, which supersedes that provided by the broker or agent; the agent or broker is almost certainly responsible. Why? Because you have placed your business with them (the agent or broker), they have made an offer, which you have accepted, which, unless there are exceptional circumstances, makes it legally binding on both parties, especially where a deposit has been paid.

No article, such as this can be specific about any particular aspect of an agents or brokers business, nor does it seek to be. In fact, it may well throw up as many questions as it answers, but the fact remains that it is difficult to see what value is added from the consumers perspective. And, if something goes wrong, there is arguably, many unnecessary grey areas as to who is responsible for putting matters right. Here are a list of questions to ask of a limo agent or broker.

Limo Hire Companies - Mine is Bigger than Yours

noreply@blogger.com (Newbie) — Tue, 09 Oct 2007 21:22:00 +0000

Have you ever wondered about all of these limousine companies that claim to be the largest, or one of the largest limo companies in the UK, as if it even matters? Well you probably will not be surprised to learn that some of these companies don't even own their own limousines, that's correct, the "largest limo company in the UK", may not even own a single limo. Little wonder that people are confused!

We have agents and brokers claiming to be a "limousine company", when they are not, they are a broker or an agent. So why mislead, insurance brokers don't call themselves insurance companies do they? Perhaps someone should tell them that size doesn't matter and that people who brag, are normally hiding their own inadequacies. Surely, from a customers perspective, it is not a good start if the company they are looking at makes unsubstantiated claims. So why do these organisations do it? Well, most want to seduce you into believing they can hire you anything you want, but all they do, is sub-contract your hire to someone else, great! Everyone knows that if there is an extra mouth to feed, someone has to pay....and that will be you!

Of course, not all of them sub-contract, some want you to enter your hire details and then they will pass these to companies in your area that subscribe to their services. Nothing wrong with that, in fact it could save you a great deal of time and if they are honest about what they are or what they do, why not? Then again, there are a large number of limousine directories on the internet, so you could just as easily complete your own search, that way you will only receive responses from companies that have what you want, the downside though, is that you will have to enter your hire details for each company you want a quote from. Horses for courses.

Ever wonder why companies use generic photographs of limousines, you can normally tell; they, amongst other things, have the number plate etched out, are pictured in a place that is obviously not in the UK, or maybe they just look like a factory shot and they probably are. Why would limousine companies use generic pictures, if they have their own limousines, why indeed? Maybe its because no-one would want to hire their limo if they actually saw pictures of it. In fact, why should anyone be expected to part with their hard earned money, without, at the very least, a good quality image of the actual limousine they will be hiring. If someone attempts to palm you off with a generic picture, tell them where to get off. If they want to sub-contract your hire, make sure you know what you will be getting for your money, insist on knowing where the limo is coming from, what it looks like, how old it is and ask whether the limo company is licensed. Also, make sure you know who is responsible if something goes wrong. Any agent or broker that accepts your money and in turn attempts, (though their terms and conditions) to place the responsibility and obligations for the hire onto someone else, should to take a closer look at the Sales of Goods Act. Terms and Conditions mean nothing if they are not reasonable, because they are simply not enforceable.

In fact, don't even bother going to the largest limo company in the UK, find someone that understands that service is what matters, the type, condition and age of the limousine is what counts and above all, it is the customer that matters. Better still, don't bother going to an agent or broker, they add little or no value and, they are just another mouth to feed. Visit one of the limousine directories listed below, find a few companies that are close to you and contact them direct!

Cars for Stars is NOT the largest limousine company in the UK. They do offer chauffeur cars and limousines and they are fully licensed for private hire. Above all, they have standards, they understand that the customer is the most important part of the equation and they invest regularly in their fleet. They do not use generic images, and pictures of all of their limousines are available to view before the customer books. Oh yes, they do not sub-contract their limousine hires either.

A selection of UK Limousine Directories

www.limousine-hire-directory.com
www.vehicle-hire-directory.com
www.limodirectory.co.uk
www.limosdirectory.co.uk
www.limousine-directory.co.uk

Tips and advice for hiring a limousine

noreply@blogger.com (Newbie) — Mon, 08 Oct 2007 14:09:00 +0000

Tips for renting a stretched limousine!

Hiring a stretched limousine need not be a hit and miss affair if you ask the right questions and take account of the following.

No two limousine operators are the same and different organisations place varying levels of emphasis on service levels and investment in their fleet. You can gain an insight into the way a company operates by how responsive they are and the professionalism of their approach. For example, if you have completed an online enquiry form, how long does it take for them to respond, have they correctly interpreted your requirements and is the quotation professional or just a dismissive a one liner?

Similarly telephone enquiries can also provide an insight into how a limousine operator is likely to handle their customers. Is your call answered promptly and professionally with the company name, are they friendly or evasive when answering your questions, do they offer to send you a written confirmation of the price, or is your call answered by a telephone answering machine.

If you are visiting websites look for signs that they are a professional limousine operator. Do they have a fixed line number or just a mobile phone, does the website include the name of the company or individual, is there a physical contact address, or just a PO Box number, or worst still, no address at all? These are indicators, not definitive signs of a poor organisation, but you should ask yourself why, for example, a limousine operator would not want to include their full company name or physical address.

Because the limousines are a critical aspect of the hire, look to see if the website includes images of their own vehicles. Study the pictures, many companies use generic pictures of limousines, if this is the case, ask yourself why they would not want to show images of their own vehicles. One clue maybe to look at where the picture was taken and the registration plate, if it looks as if it was taken in the USA, then take care. Also ask about signage on the vehicle, some operators use their limousines as advertising hoardings, which can leave many hirers disappointed.

If you come across a broker offering to secure quotations on your behalf you will need to consider the following. Most limousine operators will be paying for each enquiry they receive or a percentage of the hire value, will you end up paying a premium price for the convenience of using a third party? Some of these brokers describe their limousine operators as accredited or approved. If this is the case ask what this process entails, what guarantees if any, the accreditation process provides you, for example, will the broker underwrite the hire and also how often are the operators checked? You also need to bear in mind that you are relying on a 3rd party to complete your research, which means you are dealing with two entities of which you have no previous experience.

Whilst there is inevitably a temptation to decide on price, this should only form part of the process given, as should become clear from your research, all limousine operators are not equal. A professional limousine operator may charge £10 or £15 per hour more, but on an average hire of 5 hours, this amounts to no more than £75, a small premium to pay in order to secure a professional service, from an established full-time operator with modern limousines.

Another aspect to consider is the length of the hire. The average time taken to prepare a stretched limousine prior to hire is around 2.5 hours. Therefore, most professional operators will impose a minimum charge and/or a hire duration of 3 hours or so, this may be higher during peak periods. The minimum hire charge is likely to be in the region of £150. Beware of any company that does not apply these caveats given it often means that the operator intends to use the vehicle for several hires on the day. Inevitably this can lead to problems relating to reliability or timing and more often than not, a vehicle that has not been properly prepared. It is also worth bearing in mind that many limousine operators offer a reduced hire charge for mid-week hires, so if this is an option, don't discount it.

Another aspect to bear in mind when searching for a limousine for your event is reliability. Stretched limousines are expensive to service and repair which inevitably results in some operators attempting to delay repairs until the last possible moment. Unfortunately poorly maintained limousines are notoriously unreliable. Whilst it is reasonable for you to expect the limousine operator to be diligent in such matters, it does not necessarily follow that they are and it may well affect your hire! In many cases a cheap hire really does result in a cheap service. Listed below are some useful questions to ask of your limousine operator.

Questions to ask Limousine Operators

How long have you been in business?
How many vehicles do you have?
Where are you based?
How old are you vehicles?
Where can I view your limousines?
Are there any minimum charges or hire durations?
Are you a full-time limousine operator?
What does the price include (VAT, Drinks, Gratuities etc)?
What contingencies do you have if the limousine breaks down?
What guarantee do I have that I will receive the limousine I have chosen?
Do you have the appropriate private hire insurance, can I view it?
Will I receive a written confirmation of the price?
Do you provide a booking confirmation with the itinerary and price included?
What payment methods do you accept?
What is the deposit and when is the balance due?
What livery is on the limousine is it discreet?

Questions to ask Brokers

What does your accreditation or approval process consist of?
How often do you complete this procedure?
Will I be able to see a copy of the last report for the company I book with?
How can I be certain that I will receive the limousine I ask for?
Do you provide any guarantees regarding operator reliability?
Will I have to pay any extra if I use your service, either directly or indirectly?
Who do I pay?
How can I be certain that you are truly an independent service?
Can I be sure that my email address will only be used for the purpose of a quotation?

None of these questions are unreasonable and no professional limousine operator will have any objections responding positively, however, if you meet with resistance or the answers are evasive, it should be a case of caveat emptor or ‘ let the buyer beware’.

In summary:

Prepare your questions in advance
Know who you are dealing with (Trading name, physical address, landline number etc)
Don’t be frightened of asking probing questions.
Insist on viewing images of the actual limousine or visit the premises
Get everything in writing, the quotation and the itinerary
Make sure you are comparing on a genuine ‘like for like’ basis
Consider hiring your limousine mid-week, where significant savings can be gained
Never be tempted to decide on price alone
If in doubt, keep searching!

Cars for Stars is a UK based company providing chauffeur driven cars and limousines for hire. Operating a national service through a network of franchised offices. Cars for Stars (London) is licensed by the Public Carriage Office (PCO) and the franchises through their respective local authorities for private hire.

Why you should use a licensed limo company

noreply@blogger.com (Newbie) — Sat, 06 Oct 2007 12:15:00 +0000

From the 1st January 2008, all UK limousine companies must be registered in order that they can provide limousines for hire or reward, typically most will licence with their district council as a Private Hire Operator, in which case they will be licensed to carry up to 8 passengers. Some may elect to register with VOSA as a Bus Operator. This article deals with those that opt for the Private Hire route.

As a Private Hire Operator the district council will implement the following through their Licensing Officer;

All chauffeur's will have to be licensed to drive the limousine and in order to gain their licence, they will have to pass a medical and will be subjected to a Criminal Records Bureau check
Most, but not all Licensing Officers will also subject the chauffeur to a local knowledge check
Each of the Private Hire Vehicles (stretched limousines, cars or people carriers) will be subjected to a strict bi-annual test

The Licensing Officer will check on the validity of the vehicle insurance for each licensed private hire vehicle

The Licensing Officer will be entitled to check on the Public Liability insurance for suitability

Therefore, each limousine business will have to have a valid Private Hire Operators Licence, every limousine (or other vehicles operated for hire or reward) will have to be licensed as a Private Hire Vehicle and every chauffeur will have to be a Licensed Private Hire Vehicle Driver. The holder of the Private Hire Operators Licence will then be subjected to regular and most likely, unannounced visits by the Licensing Officer to ensure that they are meeting all of their obligations and the vehicles will be checked on a regular basis to confirm that they are suitable for use as a Private Hire Vehicle.

Many people will be astonished to learn that, in the past, there has been very little regulation or oversight within the burgeoning limousine hire business, however the amendment contained in the Road Traffic Act 2006 will ensure, that in the future at least, this industry will have some formal oversight. Please note: Companies operating exclusively for wedding car hire or funerals, do not need to be licensed under the revised act.

Cars for Stars Limited is a UK based company operating chauffeur driven cars and limousines. With a Head Office based in London, and they offer a national service for limousines and chauffeur cars through an extended branch network of franchised offices. All Cars for Stars franchisees are required to be licensed by their respective local authority or district council or, in the case of London, by the Public Carriage Office (PCO), which means that the chauffeur's will have been subjected to a medical and criminal records bureau checks and the chauffeur cars and limousines will be required to undergo and pass regular and vigorous vehicle tests as outlined above.

You can locate your local providers through the following directories: Chauffeur Cars & Limousine Directory; Chauffeur Cars Directory and the Vehicle Hire Directory.

Hire a PCO Licensed limousine in London

noreply@blogger.com (Newbie) — Fri, 05 Oct 2007 14:46:00 +0000

If you live in the greater London area or you are looking to hire a limousine in London, there are three things that are likely to be uppermost in your mind when you are going through your decision making process. You will want to find a trustworthy limousine company, you will want the very best choice of the latest limousines and above all, you will want to ensure that the limousine company and of course the actual limousines are licensed by the Public Carriage Office (PCO) which operated on behalf of Transport for London.

Cars for Stars Limited is an established, award winning, London based provider of stretched limousines, operating an extensive range of vehicles and are PCO licensed. As you would expect from a professional, (full-time) operator of chauffeured stretched limousines, Cars for Stars Limited is a PCO Licensed Operator, their limousines (and cars) are all licensed by the PCO and of course, all of their chauffeur driven cars and stretched limousines are driven by PCO Licensed chauffeurs. This modern fleet of American limousines includes limos in white, black, silver, metallic blue and candy apply red. In addition, Cars for Stars can also offer a Hummer H3 limousine in candy apple red.

Best of all, because Cars for Stars is not a broker or an agent, they do not sub-contract their limousine hires to any third party, therefore their customers can rest assured from the outset, that they will know exactly which limousine they are being offered. IN addition, all enquirers are provided with a hyperlink where additional high quality images of the limousine can be viewed.

Cars for Stars operates anywhere within the greater London area. And beyond, through a local network of franchised offices, who maintain the same level of commitment to service and quality vehicles. As well as providing a very fast and professional turnaround for internet enquiries, typically an hour or so, hire enquiries can be received at their head office from Monday through to Saturday, from 9.00am until 7.00pm.

Cars for Stars local offices can be located in the Chauffeur Cars & Limousine Directory, Chauffeur Cars Directory and the Limousine Sections of the SlackAlice Web Directory.

Candy Apple Red Chrysler Limousine

noreply@blogger.com (Newbie) — Thu, 04 Oct 2007 15:15:00 +0000

How would you like to arrive in style? Cars for Stars have available for hire a superb Chrysler 300 stretched limousine in a stunning candy apple red. This beautiful limousine comes complete with gull wing doors and, you can be safe in the knowledge that the limo is offered by a company that is fully licensed for private hire, which means that the limousine must undergo regular, stringent tests and the chauffeurs must also be correctly licensed.

This candy apple red Chrysler stretched limousine will guarantee that you stand out from the crowd, but the quality and presence of this limo is not limited to the exterior colour. Inside the finish is simply out of this world, with a combination of red and black seats. And, for your further enjoyment, the limousine is fitted with fibre optic, mood and twinkle lights, a DVD player and 3 televisions! Of course, you also benefit from the usual refinements of air conditioning and a quality sound system, all of which is controlled by the rear seat passengers.

Cars for Stars is a UK based company operating chauffeur driven cars and limousines. Our head office is based in London, and we offer a national service through an extensive, branch network of franchised offices. This candy apple red Chrysler limousine is one of a kind, therefore, whilst we are prepared to travel to virtually any location in England, a premium may apply to the hire price.

All Cars for Stars franchises are fully licensed by their respective local authority, or in the case of London, by the Public Carriage Office (PCO), which means that the chauffeurs will have been subjected to a medical and criminal records bureau check and the chauffeur cars and limousines will be subjected to regular and vigorous tests.

Silver Chrysler Stretched Limousine

noreply@blogger.com (Newbie) — Thu, 04 Oct 2007 15:14:00 +0000

If you want to stand out for all the right reason, then this silver Chrysler stretched limousine from UK limousine operator Cars for Stars, is the one for you. Silver is in, because it is flexible, perfect for weddings, stylish but not over the top for business and unique enough to ensure that heads are turned for school proms, nights out and trips into town. And, you don't have to compromised in terms of safety either, because Cars for Stars is fully licensed for private hire, which means that the limousine must undergo regular, stringent tests and the chauffeurs must also be correctly licensed.

This SILVER Chrysler stretched limousine will guarantee that you and your guests stand out from the crowd, but the quality and presence of this limo is not limited to the colour of it's exterior. Inside the the seats are covered in black with contrasting grey inserts, their is a rear passenger controlled entertainment system which includes CD, DVD, iPod connector and two televisions. Passengers can also control the mood lights, fibre optics and twinkle lights from the rear mounted touch screen panel. Of course there is also a mirrored bar area together with ice buckets for the Champagne. Cars for Stars also have a matching silver Chrysler 300 saloon for weddings!

Cars for Stars is a UK based company operating chauffeur driven cars and limousine. Our head office is based in London, and we offer a national service through an extensive, branch network of franchised offices. The silver Chrysler limousine is very unusual, therefore, whilst we are prepared to travel to virtually any location in England, a premium may apply to the hire price. All Cars for Stars franchises are fully licensed by their respective local authority, or in the case of London, by the Public Carriage Office (PCO), which means that the chauffeurs will have been subjected to a medical and criminal records bureau check and the chauffeur cars and limousines will be subjected to regular and vigorous tests.

Modern explanation of the word limousine

noreply@blogger.com (Newbie) — Thu, 04 Oct 2007 15:08:00 +0000

The definition of a limousine normally refers to a standard car or sedan, which has been converted by specialist coachbuilders to provide a closed compartment seating three or more passengers and with the roof extended forward over the driver's seat. Alternatively, any large, luxurious car or sedan, particularly one which is driven by a chauffeur and with a glass partition or 'bulkhead' separating the driver and passengers. Of course, the legal definition of a limousine will vary from country to country.

The word limousine is French, originally referring to 'a cloak worn by shepherds in Limousin, a province of France.

A variety of stretched limousines are available in the UK, from an award winning company providing chauffeur cars and stretched limousines and, with offices in London and throughout the UK through an extensive franchised, branch network. Cars for Stars in London is licensed by the Public Carriage Office (PCO) and their franchisees are licensed by their respective local authorities. Cars for Stars limousines are available in white, black, silver, metallic blue and candy apple red. In addition, they also offer licensed Hummer limousines for hire. Cars for Stars chauffeur driven cars is extensive, but includes the Chrysler 300 chauffeur cars, Jaguar XJ with long wheel base, latest Mercedes S Class, Rolls Royce Phantom and Maybach 62.

At last a self-drive hire stretched limousine

noreply@blogger.com (Newbie) — Mon, 01 Oct 2007 16:17:00 +0000

Well maybe! In order that a limousine can carry more than 8 passengers for hire and reward, it must first be issued with what is known as a Certificate of Initial Fitness, or by its abbreviated term, a CoIF. The problem here is that the conversion work to gain a CoIF requires a substantial investment and this would have to be reflected in the cost of the limousines and therefore the hire charges, making it too prohibitive for most operators . At this time, there are a very limited number of limousines with a CoIF, probably less than 20 in the country and those that do have a CoIF will, quite rightly, shout about it.

Whilst there is certainly some merit in having a strict conformity process for vehicles that could regularly be carrying up to 16 passengers, there is also an argument that the regulations where never designed for stretched limousines and therefore some flexibility should be considered to make conformity easier to attain, without necessitating a relaxing of the rules that may put passengers at risk. Needless to say, the authorities have not listened to the industry and therefore, the more enterprising operators have sought and found a work around.

Currently, it is possible to complete some minor conversion work and then register a limousine as a private minibus, this is perfectly legal and means that the limousine will not have had to pass an SVA or gained a Certificate of Initial Fitness. Once the limousine has been registered as a private minibus, it can be used to carry up to 16 passengers, depending on weight etc. Therefore anyone is entitled to drive this 'private minibus' on a normal drivers licence, provided they have a D1 on their licence. However, it still cannot, under any circumstances, be used for hire and reward without the Certificate of Initial Fitness.

With limousines costing anything up to £100,000, few operators will be willing to actually let you drive the limousine yourself, so the criteria employed to be deemed an appropriate driver is quite strict, this means that in many cases, you will be obliged to employ a chauffeur from an approved 'pool' of chauffeurs provided by the limousine company. No two operators work in the same way, but here is a typical example of how the practice works.

You and a group of 13 friends want to hire a limousine that can carry all 14, but, for whatever reason, you do not want to hire two limousines. Therefore, you approach a company that operates a 14 seat limousine which has been registered as a private minibus and they are prepared to hire out on a self-drive hire contract. The limousine operator will agree to hire you the limousine on a "self-drive" basis, but (typically) insist that, because it is a large and a specialist vehicle, you use an experienced, professional driver or chauffeur from a 'company' that provides these on a casual basis. Then, under normal circumstances, you would pay the hire fees to the limousine operator and settle with the chauffeur direct. So, whilst there is a little more paperwork, you now have a limousine which can carry you and all of your friends.

Is this legal? Probably, but no-one really knows, the self-drive hire contract and the rules governing the scheme were, by all accounts drawn up by a Barrister with expertise in the transport sector. It would appear that the Barrister has indicated that provided the rules are followed, the practice is perfectly legal under existing legislation. Those operating this scheme now claim that it is legal, in the strictest sense, this is not true, all they have had is a 'barristers opinion' and that is all it is, to determine whether or not the scheme is legal would require a court case. So far, VOSA who would normally enforce the rules have done nothing, so the whole matter remains in abeyance.

Nonetheless, there are risks attached, and these fall mainly with the hirer. For example, the hire agreement would normally make clear that the vehicle cannot be used for 'hire and reward', that is to say, the hirer cannot accept payment from his or her friends towards the cost of the vehicle. In reality, is is most unlikely that anyone would be feeling the benevolent towards their friends or family. If it was proven that the vehicle was indeed
used for hire and reward, then the hirer could be charged, amongst other things, with operating a vehicle for hire and reward without an Operator Licence and without a Certificate of Initial Fitness. The driver or chauffeur would also not be immune from prosecution if it could be proved that he or she was, in any way, complicit in the arrangement. In addition, most self-drive hire vehicles are not insured for hire and reward, therefore, if your vehicle was involved in accident, the hirer, could theoretically become personally liable for any claims. Some insurance companies have included hire and reward on the policies, but it is fair to conclude that if they are insuring the limousine (or private minibus) for hire and reward, the insurance companies and therefore the limousine operators must have an inkling that the vehicle may actually be used for that purpose.

On a self-drive hire policy, there is also the very real possibility that the vehicle has an insurance excess, therefore it is conceivable that the limousine operator will seek to recover this from the hirer in the event of an 'fault' accident. If the hirer has "employed" a driver from a pool proposed by the limousine operator, it may not be reasonable for the hirer to be responsible for the excess in the event of an accident where their driver was at fault.

This practice is relatively new and untested in respect of the current legislation, but it is probably more of a moral issue than a legal one. Few would condemn business people who look to get a return on their considerable investment by finding ways to provide consumers with what they want. However, if there was not a justification for a Certificate of Initial Fitness on a passenger carrying vehicle used for hire and reward, then surely it would no be there. It is safe to assume that the authorities consider compliance to be a safety issue. Furthermore, there is probably no need for a company operating in this way (self-drive hire) to have a private hire or bus operator licence, if this is the case, then how safe can the passengers feel when there is, theoretically, no regular checks on the chauffeur and the vehicle? Limousine companies that operate a limousine business for hire and reward are required (from 1st January 2008) to have either a private hire licence or a bus operator licence. Both of these licenses require that the limousine are subjected to a strict and regular test. In addition, the private hire operators or bus operators must employ drivers with the appropriate licence for the vehicle in question, this means that the chauffeur will have been subjected to a medical and criminal records bureau check.

Cars for Stars Limited will not, and do not, operate a self-drive hire limousine hire service with contracted in/out chauffeurs and therefore our views must be taken in context and would, inevitably, be considered biased by those that do operate this scheme. Therefore, we will not hire behind a cloak of anonymity and we are happy to place on record that we are a fully licensed private hire company with limousines licensed for private hire and a maximum of 8 passengers. We do not condemn those that operate this type of scheme, but we do believe that the relevant authorities should investigate the practice further and then introduce a test case in order that the legality issue can be clarified once and for all. The industry is currently in discussions with the relevant bodies with a view to amending existing legislation to permit and therefore regulate the use of limousines in a category of 9-16 passengers, most likely under the auspices of the local authorities. We fully support this well intentioned move. We do not, however, agree with anything practice that could lead to a questioning of the integrity of those that operate within the limousine industry.

For those consumers that intend to hire a limousine with a view to carrying more than 8 passengers from a self-drive hire limousine operator then we recommend that they consider the following:

Read the self-drive contract hire carefully.
Tell the company you intend to hire the limousine from how you intend to fund the vehicle and ask them if that would be considered hire and reward, then note their response in writing or do this in front of a witness. One definition of hire and reward has been provided by the Transport Office, you can read it here: Definition of Hire and Reward
Check the terms and conditions of the hire to see whether or not the vehicle is covered for hire and reward, if it is, and you should fall foul with the law, then in theory you will not be in a position where the vehicle is uninsured.
Find out if there is a policy excess and if there is, who would be responsible for reimbursement in the event that accident was considered the fault of your driver
Remember, you are employing the chauffeur, so try and establish whether or not you will still be liable for the hire cost if the driver does not turn up
Establish who will be responsible in the event that the vehicle has any faults which could give rise to Police action at the roadside. Would it be you as the hirer, the driver, or the hire company. It may be that all, or just some of you would be considered responsible.
You should be aware, that ignorance of the law is not considered an excuse. So be under no illusion, if you intend to accept any form of payment from any of the passengers, that provides them with the right to be carried in the limousine, then this is hire and reward. It doesn't matter whether this is a direct or indirect payment. As the hirer, it is your responsibility, if you are found to have provided a hire and reward service, then you must have, where more than 8 passengers are carried, a bus operators licence, the chauffeur must have an appropriate PCV licence and the vehicle must have a Certificate of Initial Fitness. This is no grey area, it is cast in stone!

London airport transfers in chauffeur driven cars

noreply@blogger.com (Newbie) — Mon, 01 Oct 2007 16:02:00 +0000

When you have completed a long haul flight, whether it is for business or pleasure, few things can be as welcoming as having a genuine 'meet and greet service' at the airport from a uniformed chauffeur, ready to whisk you to your destination.

Cars for Stars is UK based, award winning, licensed operator of chauffeur cars and limousines, who offer a genuine national service, serving all of the major UK airports. Their 'meet and greet' service means that your chauffeur meets you off your flight, in the arrivals hall, assists you with your luggage and then escorts you to your executive chauffeur driven car or limousine, ready for your onward journey. You can then sit back, relax, whilst reading a complimentary newspaper and sipping some mineral water.

With branches adjacent to the major London airports, including Heathrow and Gatwick, Cars for Stars is ideally located to offer a swift and efficient transfer to any destination within the UK, including, if required, inter-airport transfers. The Cars for Stars airport meet and greet service will ensure that you or, perhaps your guests, are met by a uniformed chauffeur with a name board. the chauffeur will then escort you or your guests, together with their luggage to the waiting chauffeur driven cars car, people carrier or stretched limousine.

The London office of Cars for Stars is fully licensed with the Public Carriage Office (PCO) for both their chauffeur driven cars and their limousines, providing you with the comfort and knowledge that the chauffeur have been subjected to a regular medical and a criminal records bureau check. In addition, the the chauffeur cars and limousines are subject to rigorous and regular checks to ensure that they are roadworthy and meet the very high standards required to maintain a PCO licence.

What you need to know to set up a limousine hire business

noreply@blogger.com (Newbie) — Mon, 01 Oct 2007 15:41:00 +0000

Setting up a limousine business in the UK does not have to be difficult. Cars for Stars are a well established, award winning company operating a franchised business model for budding entrepreneurs. Independent limousine operators have an unenviable position trying to break into the market and many struggle with the red tape, the risk associated with buying a stretched limousine for the time, generating enquiries and so on.

The Cars for Stars franchise programme removes much, but not all, of the risk. All they have a number of excellent franchised areas available; they are fussy and will not accept anyone carrying an open wallet. They want people that can share their ethics, add value to the network and willing to work hard for the benefit of the network as well as their own business interests.

The barrier to entry is low, because Cars for Stars do not charge large ‘franchise premiums’, because they recognise that new businesses need to be investing in their infrastructure and fleet, as well as receiving a return on their investment.All Cars for Stars franchisees can hit the ground running, because enquiries are pouring in through excellent internet marketing activities and a strong brand images. Cars for Stars franchisees enjoy the following.

An established trading style, with a highly regarded brand which is registered in all 25 countries of the European Union
Exclusive operating area
All internet and telephone enquiries for their designated franchise area
Extensive internet marketing programme including entry in many major web directories, as well as niche limousine directories and chauffeur car hire directories.
Free Cars for Stars website and email address
Access to a bespoke software programme allow franchisees to automate the handling of enquiries, acceptance of bookings, deliver of chauffeur itineraries, as well as handling some of the ‘red tape’ issues related to local authority licensing and vehicle management
Assistance and advice in relation to obtaining an appropriate license to run a limousine hire business
Generic templates for stationery and advertisements

A fixed monthly “Licence Fee” in place of the traditional turnover based fee calculations
Support of an established and experienced team

Cars for Stars is so well recognised that it is always receiving enquiries from perties interested in setting a branded Cars for Stars business in other countries, thse include, Ireland, Cyprus, Spain, France, Greece and Turkey. The best part of enquiring about a Cars for Stars limo hire franchise is that you do not get the ‘heavy sell’, in fact quite the opposite, the meetings are informal and open allowing each party to ask questions of the other in an open forum.

Because Cars for Stars Limited does not rely on the limousine franchise income for its survival, interested parties can be sure the interest is about expanding the network, with quality individuals rather than a short-term financial gain through an initial franchise fee.

How to secure a job as a chauffeur

noreply@blogger.com (Newbie) — Mon, 01 Oct 2007 15:38:00 +0000

The first hurdle is age, because, whilst there is no issue with ageism within the chauffeur industry, insurance can be an issue. Typically, to secure the position of a chauffeur you will need to be over 25, some companies will only employ chauffeur over the age of 30 because of insurance issues.

If you have no experience, then you would be better prepared and, more likely to succeed in securing work as a chauffeur if you have already attended and passed a training course, such as the one run by the British Chauffeurs Guild. In addition, any other qualifications such as a PCV or LGV licence would be advantageous, as would the passing of a test operated by the Institute of Advanced Motorists. Typically, no insurance company and therefore for chauffeur companies, will accept you if you have in excess of 6 points on your licence and even then, they must be for minor infractions.

Other driving qualifications will provide evidence of past experience with larger, or passenger carrying vehicles and of course, completing the training operated by the British Chauffeurs Guild will suggest that you know the theory. Nonetheless, neither provides a guarantee that you will make a good chauffeur, nor that you will have the necessary 'people skills'.

The best way to get accepted into this industry is to start at the bottom and seek a company that is willing to employ you on a part-time or casual basis, in order that you can 'train on the job'. There are some "free to register and use" sites such as Changing Lanes, which advertise poitions for chauffeurs as well as other professional drivers. You could also try some of the larger chauffeur companies or those that operate nationally such as Cars for Stars to maximise your chance of success in securing the opportunity to start as a chauffeur. Another useful resource for finding local chauffeur companies would be either the Yellow Pages or a specialist Chauffeur Cars Directory.

But before you can step into a chauffeur driven car, you will have to be licensed, for a chauffeur car hire business this will normally be a Private Hire Licence, or in the case of London, a PCO Licence issued by the Public Carriage Office, part of Transport for London.

In order to apply for a Private Hire Licence, you will need to find a local company that would be willing to employ you, and then you can apply for a Private Hire Licence for the local authority that has issued the chauffeur company with their Private Hire Licence. In London, you will have to apply to the Public Carriage Office, currently you do not normally have to be 'attached' to a chauffeur company, but this may well change. In both cases, you will be required, at the very least to pass a medical and a Criminal Records Bureau check. The latter can take anything up to 4 months and you will not be issued your Licence without it. So, in this industry, patience really is a virtue, but this will hold you in good stead should you go on to become a chauffeur.

To maximise your chance of securing a job as a chauffeur, you should also consider approaching limousine hire companies, many of whom operate under a Private Hire Licence or a Bus Operators Licence. In addition, if they only operate stretched limousines, the nature of their business is such, that they will typically employ chauffeurs on a casual and/or part-time basis to cater for the peak periods (evenings and weekends). This may type of arrangement may be more appropriate if you are just looking to earn additional income through your job as a chauffeur, or indeed, you just want to see how you fit before you make the plunge!

The job of a chauffeur can be very enjoyable, but it can also be very tiring, subject to unsocial hours, need personal flexibility and require a great deal of just sitting around. The novelty of driving around in a shiny, top of the range car, will soon wear off if you are not prepared to accept the working conditions.

When would it be necessary to have an SVA on my limo

noreply@blogger.com (Newbie) — Mon, 01 Oct 2007 15:31:00 +0000

If it is already registered with the DVLA and has been issued with a registration number and, you do not intend to use it for ‘hire and reward’, then probably not. However, if you want to use your limousine for private hire, rather than just for weddings, then in all likelihood, your local licensing authority will insist that the vehicle has an SVA. In fact, it does not just stop there, but this will be covered later. If you have yet to buy a stretched limousine, then the best advice that can be offered is to ensure that it already has an SVA, if on the other hand you already have limousine that does not have an SVA and, you want to register the vehicle for private hire, then you need to consider arranging for a voluntary SVA.

In the past, it was possible to register a stretched limousine without the need for an SVA, simply by registering the vehicle as a 10 seat limousine. This is no longer possible. Now as a consequence of the amendments contained in the Road Safety Act 2006, from 1st January 2008, all stretched limousines that are to be used for hire and reward, will have to either be registered with the local authority for Private Hire or be registered as a Public Service Vehicle, which also requires the owner to have obtained a Public Service Operators Licence. Limousine companies operating within London are governed by the Public Carriage Office, part of Transport for London.

Section 53 of the Road Safety Act 2006 introduced an amendment to section 75(1) of the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1976, covering hackney carriages and private hire vehicles in England and Wales (excluding London which is covered separately), whereby paragraph (b) was omitted. It was this paragraph that originally allowed limousine operators to operate without a Private Hire Vehicle licence or Public Service Operators licence. Because the London area is covered by the Private Hire Vehicles (London) Act 1998, a further amendment was made to this particular Act to ensure that the Licensing requirements were uniform. This part of the Act will come into force from the 1st January 2008.

Whether or not a vehicle has an SVA has gained significance because most local authorities will not register a limousine unless or until it has an SVA. If you already own the vehicle, then fortunately, you can apply for a retrospective SVA, known as a ‘voluntary SVA’. However, it is possible that you may have to complete some additional conversion work before the limousine will be accepted for an SVA and the best advice here is to go to a specialist.

Another issue that will come into play if you wish to apply for a voluntary SVA is whether or not the vehicle was built by a coachbuilder, who was approved, at the time of manufacture, by the vehicle manufacturer. The most popular limousine is the Ford Lincoln and this should have been built by a coachbuilder that was as authorized QVM (Lincoln Qualified Vehicle Modifier) coachbuilder. Another limousine, very rare in the UK is the Cadillac; they have their own programme CMC (Cadillac Master Coachbuilder). Provided the limousine was built by an approved QVM or CMC coachbuilder, then as SVA should not be particularly difficult. However, it should be remembered, that as with any test, no two examiners are likely to have the same opinion of each and every issue. Compliance, therefore, will always be fraught with inconsistencies.

It should be noted, that whilst some of the latest Chrysler 300 stretched limousines have an SVA, many do not and because the manufacturer has not approved the vehicle to be stretched, it has no comparable programme to the QVM and CMC. This does not exclude it from obtaining an SVA, nor does the fact that a limousine was stretched by a non-approved QVM or CMC coachbuilder; however, it does make it much more difficult. This is because VOSA will insist that a great deal of technical information is provided, some of which may be available from the coachbuilder, but the majority will not be available and if you have to provide the data yourself, there is a very real chance that the cost would exceed the value of the vehicle.

The safest bet, if you intend to apply for a Private Hire Vehicle Licence, is to ensure that you only buy a limousine with an SVA and if this option is not available, then at the very least, don’t but a vehicle that has not been built by a QVM or CMC coachbuilder. If you already own the vehicle, then you need to talk to a specialist or the NCLA (National Limousine & Chauffeur Association), who may be able to offer advice or assistance.

If you haven’t purchased a limousine at this time and it is your intention to Licence the Vehicle for Private Hire, then the best advice is to be guided by your local licensing authority. With over 400 separate authorities across the country, interpretation of the rules varies and some may be more lenient than others. If you disagree with their interpretation, you are entitled to appeal, but this process can be time consuming.

Most, but not all, local authorities will not approve under any circumstances a Hummer, Excursion or Navigator even if these have been issued with an SVA (unlikely) or have undergone and passed the Schedule 6 conversions. If you intend top operate of buy one of these vehicles, then it would probably be more appropriate to apply for a Public Service Operators Licence and register the vehicles as Public Service vehicles, however, it must be borne in mind, that to carry more than 8 passengers, the vehicle must have a COIF (Certificate of Initial Fitness). Whilst not impossible, there are very few vehicles that have achieved this status and those that have will have a price attached to them that directly reflects the considerable investment that is required to achieve this certification.

The information herein is provided in good faith, rules and regulations can and do change, as with all advice, you should complete your own research and satisfy yourself that you have all of the facts before making any decision. The author of this article accepts no responsibility for any errors or omissions contained in this article. For the most up to date information, readers are urged to make contact with the National Limousine & Chauffeur Association or contact any of the bodies referred to in this article.

Cars for Stars Limited is the largest limousine franchise network in the UK providing start-up assistance, support and advice for franchisees.

Hire a Chrysler 300 chauffeur driven car

noreply@blogger.com (Newbie) — Mon, 01 Oct 2007 15:28:00 +0000

There are few chauffeur driven cars, that for the budget, have the same level of presence as the new Chrysler 300 chauffeur driven car. Operated by the UK based, award winning chauffeur car hire company, Cars for Stars, the Chrysler 300 has proven to be a firm favourite with business and leisure clients alike. The Chrysler 300 chauffeur car is often described as a "baby Bentley" because of its similarity, from the front, with the Bentley Flying Spur.

Apart from stunning looks, the diesel Chrysler 300, operated by Cars for Stars is both powerful and whisper quiet, in fact most passengers would be unable to tell the difference between a petrol and diesel. The interior retro styling is also in a class of its own, with an excellent combination of polished metal and wood finish. Above all, the Chrysler 300 offers ample room for rear seat passengers thanks to a deep foot well and, arguably offers more rear seat passenger room than any other car within its class and budget.

As would be expected for a quality chauffeur driven car, the Chrysler 300 comes complete with air conditioning and leather seats, providing comfort and style. The Chrysler 300 is the entry level chauffeur driven car operated by Cars for Stars, with competitive pricing, but requiring no compromise in terms of style, presence and comfort, which explains why it remains the most requested chauffeur driven car operated by Cars for Stars.

Cars for Stars is a UK based company operating chauffeur driven cars and limousine. Based in London, it offers national service through an extensive, branch network of franchised offices. All Cars for Stars franchises are fully licensed by their respective local authority, or in the case of London, by the Public Carriage Office (PCO), which means that the chauffeurs will have been subjected to a medical and criminal records bureau check and the chauffeur cars and limousines will be subjected to regular and vigorous tests.