30/06/2017
Parents of children making ambitious plans for their end-of-term proms have been warned by the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency to beware of the potential risks to their safety from unlicensed limousines and unvetted drivers.
Hiring a limousine and driver that haven’t been properly vetted and licensed could put their children and friends at risk as they are ferried to and from the most important social event of their schooldays.
The driver may not have had a criminal record check and the vehicle might not be roadworthy, warns the DVSA, which has impounded 31 unsafe limos and crushed 20 of them over the past 6 years.
Limousines with more than 9 seats must have ‘PSV (Public Service Vehicle) operator licences’ and parents can ascertain the status of their operator of choice at ‘Check vehicle operator licence applications’.
If a business doesn’t have a licence, it should be reported to ‘Vehicle operator licensing enquiries’ and DVSA can take it off the road to prevent it operating unlawfully.
DVSA enforcement officers can also stop licensed companies from operating if they find
- serious mechanical faults
- the driver has driven more hours than allowed without proper breaks