Illegal limos put through the crusher in South Wales

March 25, 2011 By Carl Wheeler
car-crusher

Two luxury stretch limousines were destroyed this week after VOSA implemented a new law which allows the government agency the power to destroy limos which have been found to be operating illegally.

The moment the two Ford Excursions limos went into the giant crusher in Newport was witnessed by leading luxury transport online magazine, The Chauffeur, who filmed the event. A video of the limo being destroyed through the world’s largest metal crusher is now available to view on The Chauffeur website.

The unrecognisable shells of the two limos are now due to be shipped out to China to be recycled.

The two limousines were seized by VOSA after they were found to be operating illegally by a transport company in South Wales. In 2009, new regulations gave VOSA the authority to impound, and in certain cases, destroy limousines which were being used to transport 8 or more paying customers without a valid Operator’s Licence.

In the UK, all transport firms offering passenger service vehicles with 8 or more passenger seats must have a valid Operator’s Licence as this proves that the vehicle meets all safety standards.

Although VOSA was granted the powers to destroy limos found to operating illegally in 2009, this is the first instance in which limousines have actually been crushed. VOSA hopes the destruction of the two Ford Excursion limousines will act as a deterrent to other limousine hire companies who are operating illegally in the UK.

Filed Under: All News, Chauffeur News, Limo News, Transport News, UK Events Tagged With: , , , , , , , , ,

VOSA reveals the shocking results of its limo crackdown in London

October 14, 2010 By Dez Rowley
VOSA clamp down on illegal limo operators

The Vehicle Operator and Services Agency has revealed the worrying results of its recent crackdown operation whereby they inspected limos attending Wembley Stadium in London.

VOSA found that more than half of the limousines they stopped and inspected earlier this month were in breach of driving regulations, or had sustained some kind of mechanical fault.

On the first night of the one-the-spot checks, just 1 out of the 4 limos which were stopped passed the inspection. The following day the results weren’t any better with 6 out of 13 limousines getting the green light from VOSA inspectors.

Common issues found by VOSA included mechanical problems which resulted in several limos being issued with a Delayed Roadworthiness Prohibition. This allows the driver or keeper of the limo a set amount of time to fix the fault.

A failure to adhere to guidelines on driver’s hours was another common problem which resulted in many of the limos failing their inspections. A number of Drivers Hours 24hrs Rest Prohibition notices were handed out during the crackdown.

VOSA say they have stepped up their vehicle inspections in reaction to the concern within the industry as regard to limo companies operating on the roads who are not adhering to driving regulations. A series of similar spot-checks were carried out up and down the country during this year’s prom season, which is a peak time for limo hire.

The new was first reported via online transport magazine, The Chauffeur, please see the following link for more details http://www.thechauffeur.com/2010/10/more-than-half-of-limos-fail-checks-at-crackdown/

Filed Under: All News, Chauffeur News, Limo News, Transport News Tagged With: , , , ,

A1 Stretch Limo Hire get the go-ahead to start COIF conversions

October 30, 2009 By Carl Wheeler
A1 limousine Hire offer VOSA approved COIF conversions

A1 limousine Hire offer VOSA approved COIF conversions

A1 Stretch Limo Hire have been awarded the stamp of approval by transport authorities to begin Certificate of Initial Fitness conversions of stretch limousines.

Since the introduction of new regulations on October 1st, all limos carrying over 8 passengers must have a COIF if it is to operate legally. The move was brought about to increase passenger safety and VOSA are forcefully imposing the new regulations by carrying out spot-checks and impounding any limos which fall short of the guidelines.

Now A1 Limos can offer you a comprehensive and professional service to get your limousine into tip top condition just in time for the festive party season. All work is carried out at the limo company’s base in Hemel Hempstead. The price to have your Hummer H2 limo converted for full COIF approval is just £18,000. A1 limos and Pinnacle Engineering have teamed up to offer all limousine operators this complex but vital procedure at an affordable rate.

If alternatively, you would like to invest in a limo which is already fully COIF’d then A1 have an extensive range of vehicles in stock which are primed and ready for immediate delivery. They also have some very appealing finance options and with prices starting from just £69,950 for a COIF approved Hummer H2, it’s a very tempting offer.

A1 Stretch Limo Hire have a long and respected history in the luxury transport industry and are an approved agent of Limo Broker.

Filed Under: All News, Chauffeur News, Limo News, Transport News Tagged With: , , ,

NLCA (National Limousine and Chauffeur Association) to hold meeting with VOSA to clarify regulations

October 6, 2009 By Dez Rowley
NLCA set up VOSA meeting in Bradford

The National Limousine and Chauffeur Association (NLCA) are to hold a meeting with VOSA in order to clarify the change in regulations which came into force last Thursday, October 1st. The head of traffic enforcement at VOSA, Neil Barlow will be present as will several members of senior personnel at VOSA who will be happy to answer any questions regarding the changes. The meeting which will take place at Cedar Court Hotel in Bradford at 7:30pm will aim to iron out any issues relating to the new VOSA guidelines.

NLCA

NLCA

The NLCA is a reputable body which was set up to bridge the gap between the official government organisations and the limo hire companies. As a recognised association, the NLCA is a reliable source of information for those involved in the limo hire industry. They aim to support limo operators by providing advice and information relating to the limousine and chauffer trade.

A similar meeting was held at the end of last month at top industry event, Drive ’09. Neil Barlow was also in attendance at this seminar and has agreed to speak at the Bradford meeting after the success and positive feedback from Drive’09. Those wishing to attend the Bradford event need to register beforehand at the NLCA website. Any questions which you would like to ask must be emailed to organisers before the meeting. Copies of the official Guidance for Operators of Stretch Limousines will also be available.

  • Wednesday October 14th 2009
  • 19:30 @ the Cedar Court Bradford
Filed Under: All News, Chauffeur News, Featured, Limo News, Transport News, UK Events Tagged With: , , , , ,

Save UK Limos launched campaign in protest at the new VOSA laws to protect limo hire industry against new safety regulations

September 30, 2009 By Kate Owen
hummer-limo-hire

Saveuklimos.com have launched a campaign in protest at the new VOSA laws which are due to come into force tomorrow, October 1st 2009. The new website aimed at generating support for limo hire bosses argues that the new safety regulations are unnecessary and will put the future of the U.K limo hire industry in serious jeopardy.

Save UK Limos

Save UK Limos

From midnight on September 30th hundreds of limos worth millions of pounds will instantly become un-roadworthy. The owners won’t be able to sell the vehicle to recoup the losses as without the VOSA stamp of approval, the limo is worthless. Limo hire customers will also be affected as those who have booked in advance will find the limo they had ordered is no longer available and an alternative vehicle will be difficult, if not impossible, to come by.

The VOSA regulations will affect limos carrying over 8 passengers. The only official written warning limo owners have had regarding the change in law came in a letter recently. VOSA state that under new powers they will now be able to carry out rigorous road checks and impound any vehicle which falls foul of the regulations. However Saveuklimos.com argues that the guidelines are unclear and that many limo bosses are uncertain about the rules their vehicles need to comply with.  

Limo owners argue that the rules are unnecessary and the figures do seem to speak for themselves. Over the past 15 years there hasn’t been a single fatal accident involving a limousine, which is in stark contrast to the track record of other forms of transportation. As a luxury mode of transport, limos don’t travel at speed and are less likely to put the passengers in danger.

The argument over the VOSA regulations appears to be intensifying with marches and protests scheduled to take place tomorrow to coincide with the launch of the laws.

Filed Under: All News, Chauffeur News, Featured, Limo News, Transport News Tagged With: , , , , ,