Limousines used to be a rare sight – for the exclusive use of the rich and famous. But their increased popularity, largely due to hen and stag night events, has forced government to impose new regulations to control them. The rules will allow to ensure that drivers, owners and operators of limousine hire companies are suitably qualified and equipped to carry passengers safely and comfortably. The growth of the limousine industry must be carried out in such a way that places trust in operators by the public. People should know that they are using a reputable service that abides by regulations, uses only rigorously maintained vehicles driven by a fully trained chauffeur.

Every limousine hire company must get driving license issued to their new drivers which allows the holder to drive a vehicle with no more than eight passenger seats. A driver with such driving license may drive a minibus (not for hire or reward) but still cannot drive a limousine with more than 8 passenger seats since it will not be legal without other special license. A vehicle, once registered retains its original definition irrespective of any alterations made to the seating configuration. So adding or removing seats does not affect the registration details of the vehicle. A 12 seat mini limo bus with four seats removed, does not become an eight seat vehicle. Vehicles must be maintained in a mechanically sound condition. They must be tested annually at a testing station to make sure they still comply with the specified standards. A number of stretched limousines are built to a high safety specification, however, there are other vehicles that are either not built to these standards, or were built before the advent of the schemes. This does not automatically mean that they are poorly constructed; but these limos are not checked on arrival in the country and go straight onto the roads. In theory, and probably practice in some cases, they could be vehicles that have been welded together. Many of them do not have seat belts for all the occupants either as many sit sideways.

Many people are interested in becoming limo drivers due to reward recognition and lastly driving super luxurious limos. Limo drivers meet all types of people on many hires and enjoying driving exotic limousines in style. In order to become limo driver, the driver must go a few tests where s/he will obtain a passenger carrying vehicle license. The suitability of an individual to drive a limousine in terms of training, experience and personal record, is taken for granted by the customers. Unless they have been on a chauffeur s course or acquired a recognized advanced driving qualification there is nothing to attest to their abilities to drive a large vehicle, other than a regular driving license. No driver of any taxicab shall have in his possession, or in or about the driver’s compartment of the vehicle, any alcoholic liquor. No driver of any limousine, while on duty, shall drink any intoxicating liquor, or be in an intoxicated condition. All limo hire companies must have insurance of their limos. No license to engage in limo hire business shall be issued to the applicant therefore by the city clerk until and after such applicant has filed with the city clerk, and the same has been approved by the mayor, a liability insurance policy or bond in some insurance company or association or other insurer authorized to transact business in the state, which liability insurance shall bind the obligors there under to make compensation for damage to or destruction of any property of one or more persons.