With the new stretch American SUVs like the H3 Hummers, Cadillac Escalades, Lincoln Navigators and Chryslers getting imported into the UK as is, the limo industry has been steadily growing over the last decade. It is estimated that there are now about 12,000 limousines in the UK with all of them enjoying brisk sales from online e-commerce portals.
They are the preferred vehicles for just about any occasion or just on a frivolous whim among those who can afford either to own or rent. For just around ₤200-₤250 a night offered by limo rentals, you can have a stretch Hummer for night clubbers on the roll or just a fun trip around the urban nightlife. They have become the rage among teenagers to turn heads on the road or arrive in style with celebrity airs around them on prom nights.
Unfortunately, these super stretch road behemoths also turn heads of your local police and VOSA enforcers. The worst that can happen is your limo gets stopped on its tracks and you and your friends could be forced out and get a cab or walk to your destination. With your party clothes all drenched in sweat arriving at the party, that could be a head turner as well.
Legal Limits
The UK is no America. While you can import those overstretched vehicles paying all the import duties and taxes, they can’t be operated legally for more than eight passengers, regardless how large they get. Right now, limousines that can seat 8 or less passengers are granted a license to operate as a taxi. But over the last decade, there are now more stretch limos that can seat 16 to 30 passengers. It may shock you to note that nearly half of all the limousines for rent are nor properly licensed and are in violation of the law.
Just about All those American limos imported into the country lately carry up to 30 passengers for those super stretch SUVs. Any vehicle with more than 8 seating capacity is required by law to get a COIF (Certificate of Initial Fitness) from the VOSA (Vehicle and Operator Services Agency.) and be operated under the Passenger Service Vehicle license.
That renders all those over-stretched American limousines and 4×4 stretch Navigators, Escalades and Hummers which can seat up to 30 passengers illegal. This has effectively driven many limousine operators to raise a howl of protest before parliament especially with the new mandate giving special powers to the VOSA to impound limousines illegally operated.