Important limo hire laws are enforceable by VOSA and the police

The government-based Vehicle and Operator Services Agency (VOSA) now have total authority to remove illegal limo hire vehicles and drivers from the road.

This authority was granted on 1st October 2009, a follow-on from the legislation that came into effect the year before, the Local Transport Act 2008.

Powers include stopping, seizing and impounding all limo hire Manchester, Liverpool and Warrington vehicles, which do not follow road laws.

This includes certification that every limo hire vehicle has the following:

1. Any eight passenger limo hire vehicles registered after 26th April 2009 must have either an SVA (Single Vehicle Approval) or an IVA (Independent Vehicle Approval).

2. Larger limo hire vehicles, for 9 passengers or over, must have a COIF (Certificate Of Initial Fitness).

If limo hire operators do not hold a valid licence, they must obtain one. This can be done in one of the following ways:

1. For those running two 9 to 16 seater limo hire vehicles, licences can be obtained from the Department for Transport (“O” License)

2. For three or more limo hire vehicles, a CPC (Certificate of Professional Competence) is needed from the Department of Transport.

3. A local council operator’s licence is required for stretch limo hire vehicles of up to eight passengers.

Why do you need a COIF for my limo hire vehicle?

Whenever the limo hire Manchester, Liverpool and Warrington vehicle and chauffeur are hired separately, a COIF is necessary.

When speaking about unlicenced limos, the head of VOSA’s Traffic Enforcement Policy Department, Neal Barlow, said: “These methods of operation are not considered to be the right way to operate a stretch limousine business.”

Anyone found operating illegally in order to avoid licensing is extremely likely be caught by VOSA and it will be near impossible to get the impounded vehicles returned.

This is because VOSA will insist that the limo will have to be modified in order to achieve COIF.

In particular, larger 4×4 vehicles such as hummer limo hire vehicles will be paid attention to.

Many limo hire Manchester, Liverpool and Warrington vehicle operators are believed to have been ignoring the law ever since its introduction.

Generally speaking, it is possible for limo hire Manchester, Liverpool and Warrington vehicles to be modified to COIF certification standards.

Once they are modified, they should apply for a COIF to the department of transport.

Every vehicle carries eight passengers or less it still must comply with IVA or SVA standards – even if it was registered prior to April 26th 2009.

Advice for passengers

With Limo-Scene you can be sure you are travelling legally and safely.

If your limo hire Manchester, Liverpool or Warrington vehicle operative is not licensed, every passenger could, potentially, be harmed.

Should the car get spot checked by VOSA – it could be removed from the road and your journey terminated.

Be smart and hire a limo with a company that boasts fully registered vehicles – like Limo-Scene & Wedding Cars.

All Limo-Scene vehicles are fully licensed. Please take a look at the limo hire and wedding cars hire pages for full descriptions of the vehicles.