UK Limo Passenger Limit

While all limo hire operators are aware of the current licensing and passenger laws governing limo hire in the UK, there are still many who are operating unlicensed vehicles and ignoring UK passenger restrictions.

The current passenger laws state that limousines operating in the UK can not carry more than eight passengers. While there are many limousines which can seat up to three times that many and have been stretched by licensed and experienced coachbuilders to withstand the extra weight and strain, these are the current laws.

However, flouting the passenger laws is plain disregard for the UK authorities and for the limo hire company, staff and chauffeurs as limousines found to be carrying more than the legal eight, will be fined and there are also often vehicles which are impounded and chauffeur and operator licenses which are penalised.

However, in some areas of the UK, the local authorities refuse to recognise limousines of any size as being road and passenger worthy and simply will not license them to operate for a limo hire company.

While there may be safety issues with the stretch SUV limos being on the road, refusing to license all limousines is simply an uniformed decision on the part of the licensing authorities. However, despite this refusal to license limousines, there are of course limo hire companies who run their limousines anyway – unlicensed.

Regardless of how unfair the laws are surrounding limousine licensing, the limo hire companies will not be able to affect change by simply flouting the existing laws. While the public needs to be aware of the current laws so they are not getting into an unlicensed and unsafe limousine, the limo hire companies need to go about making changes to the laws in a responsible manner.

For more information about the current licensing laws in your area and how to hire a safe limousine for your special event, check out the related articles on this site or contact Limo Hire Preston now.