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A guide to hiring a limousine or chauffeur car

If you are hiring a chauffeur driven car or limousine for the first time, here are a few tips that should help you make the right choice. This is not a definitive list but will aid you to avoid the pitfalls.

The Company:

Ask the the company how many cars they have and how long they have been trading. A company that has only recently does not have to be a bad company, but check how many other cars they have, just in case of a breakdown. Equally, a company with only one or two cars can still provide a very personal service, but make sure they have a contingency plan if something goes wrong.

The Cars:

If you want one of the latest limousines make sure you ask for it. Many companies are still using the older limousines, there is nothing wrong with these, although many of them will have very high mileage and therefore an element of wear and tear has to be expected. If you are booking a Lincoln stretched limousine, the vehicle changed to the 'rounded' more modern shape in 1998. Expect to pay a little more for the modern stretched limousines, these can cost over £65k when bought new. Equally, if you are booking a chauffeur car, make sure you know how old the car is and maybe ask what mileage has been covered. If you are booking well in advance, be sure you establish whether or not the car you have selected will be available.

The Drivers:

No-one wants to be chauffeured by a boy racer and the good news is that the vast majority of companies will employ experienced drivers. Don't be afraid to ask questions about the drivers, their experience and average age, after all, you are going to entrust your safety to them. Any professional company will have no problem whatsoever in answering these questions.

Passengers:

The law states that although a normal stretched limousine may be able to carry more than 8 passengers, under the Road traffic Act, limousine companies may only carry a maximum of 8 passengers. There is still much debate about this so called 'grey' area, but the rule centres around the safety aspect and the Road Traffic Act; In the event of an emergency the 'exit' door has to have a minimum dimension, stretched limousines do not fulfil this requirement, in addition weight is a further limitation to carrying more than 8 passengers. The vast majority of US coachbuilders now advise a maximum of 9 passengers in their vehicles. If a limousine company agrees to carry more that 8 passengers, be wary.

Whether you are hiring an executive car, people carrier or stretched limousines, consider carefully the amount of luggage you want to carry and discuss it at the time of your enquiry. When full, it is unlikely that most vehicles will be able to accommodate 2 pieces of luggage for each occupant, sounds silly, but you would be surprised how many people end up leaving some of their luggage at home.

Insurance:

One of the most expensive overheads in the chauffeur and limousine hire business is insurance, both for the vehicle and the occupants. Therefore a small minority of companies do not properly insure their vehicles. All chauffeur companies and limousine hire businesses are required by law to have proper private hire insurance. Make sure you ask before you book about vehicle insurance and public liability, most reputable companies will be willing to provide you with a copy of their insurance on request.