Due to the volume of enquiries we get at Seaton Sluice Limos & Newcastle Limos, in regards to the number of passengers we can take for limo hire in Newcastle and the North East.  We have decided to reiterate the National Limousine Association statement on limo hire law* to highlight the legality of limo hire and to explain the reason for our strict policy here at Seaton Sluice Limos & Newcastle Limos of only accepting limo hire enquiries from individuals or businesses looking for North East limo hire for 8 or fewer passengers, with no exceptions.

NLA state that in “England, Scotland, Northern Ireland & Wales limousines [intending to carry more than] 8 passengers the vehicle has to be registered as a Public Service Vehicle (PSV) and have a Certificate of Initial Fitness (COIF) issued to it. However [at the time of writing*] none of the American style limousines, (including: Navigators, Escalades, Excursions, Hummers etc) comply with the requirements and are therefore restricted by law to a maximum of 8 passengers.”

The NLCA states that if any limo hire operator tries supply a limo for more than 8 passengers [unless they have a valid COIF] and tries to convince you otherwise that you should:

“A) Not book with them
B) Inform the Police
C) Inform the National Limousine Association
D) Report them as illegal operators to the Vehicle Inspectorate on 0870 60 60 440 (option 4)

It is in everyone’s interest to ensure that the paying public are protected from unscrupulous operators. In the event of an overloaded, unlicensed limousine being involved in a serious or fatal accident, the repercussions could be drastic and the ultimate losers would be the customers and the bona fide limo hire operators.

For additional guidance and clarification contact the NLA directly

or to contact Bill Bowling on 0775 386 3550 (mobile rates).*”

We hope this will help more people understand the law as well as giving an independent view from an authoritative body on the issue of limo hire law in the UK and specially for us the limo surrounding limo hire in Newcastle upon Tyne and the North East. If you wish to contact us about a legal limo hire journey in Newcastle and the North East, please feel free to enquire here.

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In addition to the recent blog article on the legality of limo hire on our new Seaton Sluice Limos and Newcastle Limos blog, the BBC has confirmed the Government’s focus on greater licensing controls on Limousine operators, stating that “[they are] currently tightening controls on stretch limousines to make sure they meet safety and licensing standards.”

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As one of the leading limousine operators in the North East of England the safety of our passengers is one of our priorities. As such Seaton Sluice Limos & Newcastle Limos fully comply with current British law in regards to the operation of limo hire services and wish to highlight the current legislation in place so that customers can understand the legality of hiring a limousine in Newcastle and the North East of England.

Currently under the law any vehicle that carries 8 or fewer passengers should be registered as a taxi or public service vehicle (PSV) with one of the various councils around the country. This also applies to limousines carrying 8 or fewer individuals, and thus should all be registered with their retrospective council.

A number of limousine hire companies in the North East, and nationally, are offering limo hire in larger limos such as the Hummer style vehicles for over 8 passengers. Under current law this style of limousine carrying over 8 people should have a PSV certificate of intial fitness (COIF) in a similar way to a minibus or coach.

However, to gain a COIF for a limousine is virtually impossible due to the requirements set out by the Vehicle and Operator Services Agency (VOSA) which requires the limos to have adequate headroom, turning ability and most importantly a fire escape.

We know of no limousine operators in the North East that currently have a certificate of intial fitness.

It is possible that there firms offering limos for over 8 people are being run illegally and could face their vehicles being impounded with paying customers being asked to leave the vehicle on the spot.

At Seaton Sluice Limos we highly recommend that if you are looking to book a limousine in Newcastle soon or even nationally that you check that limousine operator will only accept 8 or fewer passengers OR those that offer over 8 have the necessary licenses and safety features to do so.

Welcome to the new Seaton Sluice Limos blog… this is currently under construction but is intended to be used for limousine hire industry news and articles relating to the operation of limo hire services.