Starting your own chauffeur driven company..

[KingRichard]

430Scud said:

I'm not sure how it works up in Scotland with your funny laws up there BUT I do know for certain that the industry is very tightly regulated and this regulation will PROBABLY be the responsibility of your local Authority (District/Borough Council etc)

My first suggestion BEFORE YOU DO ANYTHING ELSE would be to speak to the relevant licensing officer. They will be able to assist your idea no end.

There may be a limit set by your LA on the number of private hire vehicles (which is what you are looking at) and there may not be any more licences available (unlikely though seeing as they charge per licence and councils are notoriously greedy)

Then you need to find out whether the licence (plate) includes the vehicle inspection

You'll possibly also need a PH Operators Licence

You'll also need to apply for your personal Private Hire Driver's Licence, this can be anything from £200 -£1000 PLUS any medical

SOME LA's will not issue a new licence to vehicles older than 3 yrs old so bear that in mind too when considering your 'barge'. The vehicle will also have to undergo an ANNUAL safety check that is far more rigorous than the MOT

For a reasonable 'exec' car, licence, plate AND INSURANCE (which for PH vehicles is ASTRONOMICAL)

that's for starters. Good luck!

I think that's a little too much scare-mongering! Good advice to check with your local licensing officer, but wedding hire is usually exempt, and a lot of domestic motor insurers cover wedding hire - certainly most of the classic policies.

If on the other hand you are looking at offering any other chauffeur services then you will need to be fully licensed and appropriately insured, as 430scud has pointed out

[Engineer1]

Speak to wedding photographers, there is a reason that most of the firms use old limos, as a full wedding dress is a large amount of fabric to shift round, modern cars as cool and plush as they are don't have the large door openings etc.