AUTHOR: Charles Dickens (181270) Oliver Twist, Chapter 51. First published serially 18371839

SUBJECT: The Law

QUOTATION: If the Law supposes that, said Mr. Bumble, the Law is an Ass an Idiot. If thats the Eye of the Law, the Law is a Bachelor; and the worst I wish the Law is that his Eye may be opened by Experience

“SUBSTANTIAL PROOF OF THE ABOVE”

QUESTION: If the Law is truly an Ass, does that mean Limousine Companies are Donkeys.

OUR OPINION: “UK Minibus Legislation is more than 10 Years Out of Date, the EC is still trying to fit a Round Peg into a Square Hole”.

1. Any vehicle with more than 8 seats is classified as a Minibus since 1986. Thousands of Limousines have up to 16 seats, they are clearly not Minibuses.

2. A Minibus must have a COIF certificate to be legally allowed to carry fare-paying passengers. The UK Authorities responsible for this will not issue any COIF certificate for 99.999% of Limousines in the UK.

3. The vast majority of Minibuses in the UK now have to have a Tachograph fitted. We have been advised that they still have not designed a Tacho that will fit onto all Limousines, and when they are fitted they do not even have to be switched on for Private Use.

4. Minibus Legislation allocates 40cm per Person for room to sit. That’s fine for sardines, but would you like to pay hundreds of pounds for a Limousine and then sit cross-legged and sweating away in a 40cm space.

5. Many Local Councils have informed their local Limousine Companies that they cannot collect passengers in adjacent areas, ie. in the next Borough which is sometimes only a very short distance from their registered address. That is classified as Cross Border Hiring which is illegal !

6. In addition the adjacent Local Councils have also informed all Limousine Companies that they cannot register in or out of their area at all and also that they will not licence any Left-Hand Drive Vehicles for Private Hire Purposes anyway. All SuperStretch American Ford & Lincoln Limousines only exist in Left Hand Drive.

7. After all these years the Government is now considering introducing a Special Licence and Compliance Test for Limousines. As of 1st January 2008 this still has not been done.

8. Contract Hire is now being abolished on 28th January 2008. No nationwide system has been created to replace Contract Hire, ie. to allow Bona-Fide Limousine Companies to operate legally in the UK.

9. Thanks to all of the above the only Insurance Company catering for Private Hire for the 16-Seater Limousines has now pulled out of the market. So Bona-Fide Limousine Companies are now having to switch their insurance on to a brand-new scheme, in order to operate legally.

10. Enforcement Officers, when they ruin your Night-Out and make you abandon your Limousine half way through your journey in the middle of nowhere for example at 3am in the morning on your way back from a night-out, claim it’s in the interest of Road Safety. All of these Limos have passed Stringent Annual Safety Tests and Monthly Roadworthy Checks in the USA and in the UK and continue to do so today.

Most Enforcement Officers, Council Staff, Hummer Limo Passengers, Limo Drivers, Limousine Companies etc are not aware of the whole of the above Info. But you the Reader are now fully aware, Knowledge is Power.

WHAT TO DO NEXT

So if you wish to book and ride legally in Super-Longbody Limousines and travel with 8 – 16 passengers on your Special Day Out, you have TWO OPTIONS.

OPTION 1: Is to book two separate 8-seater Limousines to carry your Guests and forget about the Big 16-Seater Super-Longbody Limousines. This however is no fun at all, as your Group is sadly being split into two, so that they cannot travel in a Party Atmosphere or talk to half of their Friends and also it will cost you more to hire TWO Limos instead of one.

OPTION 2: Is to carry up to 16 passengers in a Single Limousine. The way to do this legally is to book the Limousine from a Limo Rental Company and then separately find a Qualified Professional Driver for your Hummer Limousine Hire independently elsewhere.

THAT IS WHY WE ARE HERE

We will find a Professional, Fully Experienced, Well Qualified Limousine Chauffeur to assist you on your Special Day (at no charge to you).

THIS IS A FREE SERVICE

Just email us and we will find a Fully Qualified Professional Limousine Driver for you. For more clarification or assistance – please do not hesitate to contact us.

FREE HUMMER LIMOUSINE DRIVER SELECTION

All of the Limousine Chauffeurs we source have over 10 – 20 years Chauffeur-Drive Experience and are well qualified to assist you on any Special Occasion (Wedding Hire, Hen-Nights, Children’s Birthday Parties, Airport Transfers, Corporate Events etc).

On receipt of your request, one of the Limo Chauffeurs will contact you to Guarantee his availability on your Chosen Day and to provide his contact Telephone Number. He will also contact your Limo Hire Company for you and confirm to them that he is your Designated Driver for that day.

PLEASE NOTE: These Drivers will be supplying their time to you the Hirer directly for pleasure/fun purposes, on a strictly UNPAID basis.

No Private Hire or Hire & Reward Scenario therefore is applicable and the Hirer will be requested by the Driver to sign an agreement form confirming this, when he arrives on the hire date before the journey can commence, ie. that the hire is for strictly Social Domestic and Pleasure use only and not in the course of any kind of Business Use.

The author does not represent or warrant the accuracy or reliability of the above information and will not be liable for any errors or omissions

Related posts:

1. Hummer Limousine Hire & UK Laws “THE LAW IS AN ASS” AUTHOR: Charles Dickens (181270)...
2. Essential Steps While We Hire a Limo Everyone love comfort and style and our search for...
3. What is Private Hire Insurance? A private hire vehicle is different from a licensed...

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.

AUTHOR: Charles Dickens (181270) Oliver Twist, Chapter 51. First published serially 18371839

SUBJECT: The Law

QUOTATION: If the Law supposes that, said Mr. Bumble, the Law is an Ass an Idiot. If thats the Eye of the Law, the Law is a Bachelor; and the worst I wish the Law is that his Eye may be opened by Experience

“SUBSTANTIAL PROOF OF THE ABOVE”

QUESTION: If the Law is truly an Ass, does that mean Limousine Companies are Donkeys.

OUR OPINION: “UK Minibus Legislation is more than 10 Years Out of Date, the EC is still trying to fit a Round Peg into a Square Hole”.

1. Any vehicle with more than 8 seats is classified as a Minibus since 1986. Thousands of Limousines have up to 16 seats, they are clearly not Minibuses.

2. A Minibus must have a COIF certificate to be legally allowed to carry fare-paying passengers. The UK Authorities responsible for this will not issue any COIF certificate for 99.999% of Limousines in the UK.

3. The vast majority of Minibuses in the UK now have to have a Tachograph fitted. We have been advised that they still have not designed a Tacho that will fit onto all Limousines, and when they are fitted they do not even have to be switched on for Private Use.

4. Minibus Legislation allocates 40cm per Person for room to sit. That’s fine for sardines, but would you like to pay hundreds of pounds for a Limousine and then sit cross-legged and sweating away in a 40cm space.

5. Many Local Councils have informed their local Limousine Companies that they cannot collect passengers in adjacent areas, ie. in the next Borough which is sometimes only a very short distance from their registered address. That is classified as Cross Border Hiring which is illegal !

6. In addition the adjacent Local Councils have also informed all Limousine Companies that they cannot register in or out of their area at all and also that they will not licence any Left-Hand Drive Vehicles for Private Hire Purposes anyway. All SuperStretch American Ford & Lincoln Limousines only exist in Left Hand Drive.

7. After all these years the Government is now considering introducing a Special Licence and Compliance Test for Limousines. As of 1st January 2008 this still has not been done.

8. Contract Hire is now being abolished on 28th January 2008. No nationwide system has been created to replace Contract Hire, ie. to allow Bona-Fide Limousine Companies to operate legally in the UK.

9. Thanks to all of the above the only Insurance Company catering for Private Hire for the 16-Seater Limousines has now pulled out of the market. So Bona-Fide Limousine Companies are now having to switch their insurance on to a brand-new scheme, in order to operate legally.

10. Enforcement Officers, when they ruin your Night-Out and make you abandon your Limousine half way through your journey in the middle of nowhere for example at 3am in the morning on your way back from a night-out, claim it’s in the interest of Road Safety. All of these Limos have passed Stringent Annual Safety Tests and Monthly Roadworthy Checks in the USA and in the UK and continue to do so today.

Most Enforcement Officers, Council Staff, Hummer Limo Passengers, Limo Drivers, Limousine Companies etc are not aware of the whole of the above Info. But you the Reader are now fully aware, Knowledge is Power.

WHAT TO DO NEXT

So if you wish to book and ride legally in Super-Longbody Limousines and travel with 8 – 16 passengers on your Special Day Out, you have TWO OPTIONS.

OPTION 1: Is to book two separate 8-seater Limousines to carry your Guests and forget about the Big 16-Seater Super-Longbody Limousines. This however is no fun at all, as your Group is sadly being split into two, so that they cannot travel in a Party Atmosphere or talk to half of their Friends and also it will cost you more to hire TWO Limos instead of one.

OPTION 2: Is to carry up to 16 passengers in a Single Limousine. The way to do this legally is to book the Limousine from a Limo Rental Company and then separately find a Qualified Professional Driver for your Hummer Limousine Hire independently elsewhere.

THAT IS WHY WE ARE HERE

We will find a Professional, Fully Experienced, Well Qualified Limousine Chauffeur to assist you on your Special Day (at no charge to you).

THIS IS A FREE SERVICE

Just email us and we will find a Fully Qualified Professional Limousine Driver for you. For more clarification or assistance – please do not hesitate to contact us.

FREE HUMMER LIMOUSINE DRIVER SELECTION

All of the Limousine Chauffeurs we source have over 10 – 20 years Chauffeur-Drive Experience and are well qualified to assist you on any Special Occasion (Wedding Hire, Hen-Nights, Children’s Birthday Parties, Airport Transfers, Corporate Events etc).

On receipt of your request, one of the Limo Chauffeurs will contact you to Guarantee his availability on your Chosen Day and to provide his contact Telephone Number. He will also contact your Limo Hire Company for you and confirm to them that he is your Designated Driver for that day.

PLEASE NOTE: These Drivers will be supplying their time to you the Hirer directly for pleasure/fun purposes, on a strictly UNPAID basis.

No Private Hire or Hire & Reward Scenario therefore is applicable and the Hirer will be requested by the Driver to sign an agreement form confirming this, when he arrives on the hire date before the journey can commence, ie. that the hire is for strictly Social Domestic and Pleasure use only and not in the course of any kind of Business Use.

The author does not represent or warrant the accuracy or reliability of the above information and will not be liable for any errors or omissions

Related posts:

1. Hummer Limousine Hire & UK Laws “THE LAW IS AN ASS” AUTHOR: Charles Dickens (181270)...
2. Essential Steps While We Hire a Limo Everyone love comfort and style and our search for...
3. What is Private Hire Insurance? A private hire vehicle is different from a licensed...

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.

How long has the limousine operator been in business and how many cars do they have in their fleet?

An established limousine operator is not always better than a new one. However, its quite crucial that an operator has ample cars as back up just in case the one you’re riding in breaks down.

What type of limousine do you require?

Limousines are nowadays available in various styles and colors. Will the limousine operator be able to provide the particular style that you’re looking for?

How are the chauffeurs?

Its important that the chauffeur driving the limousine is a professional, well attired, experienced, licensed and trained. You obviously wanted to be treated in style and have someone who will open your doors and carry your luggage. At the same time, you don’t want someone who will cut lanes and race you down the road.

What about pick ups and drops?

Will your operator arrange for you to be picked up and drive you exactly to your destination? What about the return journey? Does the limousine operator run services in those areas? It best to make it clear where you would want to be picked up from and the time you want to be collected. Do this before you pay any money.

What are the rental charges?

Always ask your operator what the rental charge for the particular car you’re hiring is. Rental fees vary with the type of the vehicle and the duration you’ll be hiring it for. Most companies charge you for a minimum number of hours, even if you wont be using the car for that long.

What about payment?

How are you supposed to pay? Payment methods may be different for different limousine companies. Generally, half the total rental fee is paid by credit or debit card at the time of the booking. The balance is paid in cash to the driver.

What about Insurance?

Some companies evade insuring their vehicles and occupants as its an expensive overhead. The law requires all limousine rental companies to arrange for proper private hire insurance. Its best that you check this with the limousine operator. A professional limousine operator will be able to provide you with proof of their insurance details.

Once you’ve verified all these questions, be assured that the limousine operator is reliable and professional. You can sit back then and enjoy your journey!

No related posts.

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.

private hire insurance is a different type of insurance specifically aimed at vehicles which are used for private hire for payment or reward. It differs from public hire vehicle insurance used for taxis which are licensed for public hire, such as the Black cabs in London.

The key difference between a private hire and public hire vehicles is that a private hire vehicle must be ordered prior to a journey, it is not possible to hail a private hire vehicle on the street. Plying for business or hire is liable to prosecution.

Private hire vehicles are also prohibited from advertising, displaying or imply that they are for hire, unlike black cabs which have the famous for hire illuminated sign on the vehicle. Legally (London) it is only Black cabs, also know as Hackney Carriages which can be stopped, hailed, and pick up fare paying passengers from the street.

The operators of Private hire vehicles are required to hold an operators license which has to be displayed at the license holders place of business. The license will be required by insurers when applying for private hire insurance.

All private hire vehicles require a vehicle license, which informs customers that the vehicle is fit for use.

A drivers license is also required which differs from a personal driving license. The private hire drivers license is obtained by the driver passing checks such as proof of right to work in the UK, that they have passed a medical check and have an enhanced criminal record background check. All of these measures have been put in place to help protect the public from illegal operators. The license/badge has to be worn at all times when working. Drivers who fail to wear their private hire drivers badge in a clear and visible manner are liable to prosecution.

Private hire vehicles used for weddings and funerals are exempt from the private hire regulations, however, they do require appropriate vehicle insurance.

All private hire vehicles have to have the correct private hire insurance, failure to do so is an offence which is liable to prosecution under the Road Traffic Act 1988. This can mean penalty points on the drivers license, disqualification from driving and/or fines. Therefore, it is imperative and a legal requirement that all private hire vehicles have the correct insurance cover.

There are many different types of private hire services and operators. These range from stretch limousines to tourist guides and companies which offer airport transfers, pick you up from the supermarket or take you to and from a night out. All are required to have the relevant licenses and private hire insurance and will need to be pre-ordered either in person or by telephone. When ordering a private hire vehicle the operator is required to ask details such as the name of the person, the time and place of the pick-up, destination and contact phone number. People ordering a private hire vehicle should also inform the operators if they have any special requirements such as having an assistance dog. Failure to carry out a booking by the operators may result in prosecution.

Related posts:

1. Private Hire Taxi Insurance In order to obtain cheaper taxi insurance you need...

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.

Related posts:

1. Make A “Black Cab” Driver Your Guide To London Drivers of the classic Black Cab spend most of...
2. What is Private Hire Insurance? A private hire vehicle is different from a licensed...
3. Why Use Chauffeur Car Hire? There are many reasons behind this. High flying business...

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.

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 tp 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)

Dont 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!

Related posts:

1. Limousine Hiring For Dummies If you’re considering hiring a limousine service, there are...
2. Hummer Limousine Hire & UK Laws “THE LAW IS AN ASS” AUTHOR: Charles Dickens (181270)...
3. Hummer Limousine Hire & UK Laws “THE LAW IS AN ASS” AUTHOR: Charles Dickens (181270)...

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.

Related posts:

1. How to Successfully hire a Chauffeur Car in London There are some guidelines required to follow for chauffer...
2. Why Use Chauffeur Car Hire? There are many reasons behind this. High flying business...

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.

Related posts:

1. Hummer Limousine Hire & UK Laws “THE LAW IS AN ASS” AUTHOR: Charles Dickens (181270)...
2. Hummer Limousine Hire & UK Laws “THE LAW IS AN ASS” AUTHOR: Charles Dickens (181270)...

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.