Stretch limos to be licensed in safety drive

ALL stretch limousines in Rotherham are licensed under new plans by municipal leaders. From 1 January next year, all stretch limousines in the city to be licensed under the new "special occasion" private hire category, as part of Rotherham Council's commitment to public safety. After the huge increase in the use of such vehicles - currently there are about 40 companies advertising stretch limousine hire in the Rotherham area - the authority will be proved that the vehicles used and operated safely. Rotherham Licensing Board also wants to ensure that the drivers are fit and proper members of the public and are competent drivers of such vehicles. Licensing enforcement officer Tony Minett said that in the past, these vehicles only for weddings and funerals. He said: "Today, however, they are rapidly become a popular form of transport for days and nights, special events and school parties. "At the moment the majority of limousine drivers are not in any kind of criminal history check during the on-site inspections by our officers have revealed that alcohol is consumed, passengers under 18 years of age." The problem was on the issue of Ficers in a dilemma, because stretch limousines do not fall into one of the existing licensing criteria. No matter how big the vehicle, limousines are really only for a maximum of eight persons. There are no exceptions and every company with a booking with more than eight are illegal. To legally carry more passengers, vehicles must be registered as a public service vehicle and have a special certificate of fitness. But limousines are not issued with this type of certificate, because they are not in conformity with the relevant requirements. According to the law, any vehicle with eight passenger seats or less for rent or reward must be licensed as a Hackney carriage or a Private Hire Vehicle. As limousines are usually booked in advance in advance for a short-term hire or reward, this stretch limousines, as falling within the jurisdiction of the private rented.