Hiring a Limousine

Limousines are employed for professional reasons, such as airport transport and other client services, and entertainment purposes like weddings, proms, concerts, regional tours, etc. But whether you rent a limousine for business or pleasure, preparation is key to having a safe and successful experience. Before you sign a contract, the Better Business Bureau suggests the following steps to make sure you get the service you want on your special day.

Determine Your Needs

It's important to know what your basic needs will be before you begin shopping for limousine service. The date and length of your event, the number of people in your party, pick-up times and the number of pick-ups necessary all help determine what type of vehicle you'll need, how long you'll need it for, and whether the company can accommodate your wishes. Price may factor into your decision, but keep in mind the least expensive option may not be the most reliable and efficient.

Expect a minimum hourly booking. Minimum bookings may range from a standard three hours up to eight hours for an event like the prom. Few, if any, limousine companies will rent for just one hour because of the cost of preparing the vehicles and hiring drivers.
Understand rental costs will vary by time of year, type of vehicle, days used (weekends cost more), geographic area, and the distance traveled.
Budget for more than one vehicle if booking for a large group. Specify the number of passengers who will be traveling, and remember it may be difficult to comfortably fit a large number of adults into one car, particularly if the occasion calls for formal attire. Limousines do come in several sizes; however, larger vehicles will cost more to rent.
Book adequate time for your event. Do not assume you can add extra time on the day of the occasion, as many companies will have additional bookings to cover, particularly during spring and summer, peak seasons for weddings and proms.

Find a Company

When you know your budget and what you'll need from a limousine service, start shopping around. A few phone calls should offer a general range of the fees in your area; fees much lower than average may indicate a company who cuts corners on issues like safety and driver training. Interviewing a company in detail may help prevent delays or no-shows on the day of your event.

Allow yourself plenty of time to do your shopping. Seasonal events, such as proms and sport excursions may require several months prior to shop and reserve a limo. Weddings often require a longer reservation period.
Ask friends and relatives for referrals.
Check with your local BBB for reliability reports on the companies you are considering.
Be cautious about shopping for service on the Internet. Online sites are often "brokers" who don't own any limousines but actually farm out reservations to affiliate companies in your area. Costs may be higher to accommodate the broker's fees, and service may be questionable because technically you are not the company's client but the broker's. If you prefer to shop online, look for sites that offer a guide to companies in your area but allow you to deal directly with the company yourself.
Call at least three different companies for estimates and services provided. Never shop by price alone.
Check references. A reputable company will be happy to supply referrals from satisfied customers.
Ask if the company belongs to any industry associations, such as the National Limousine Association (NLA). Members of these associations must often abide by special insurance regulations and service rules that maintain a high standard of customer care.
Make an appointment to examine the limousines: previewing may save you disappointment on the day of your event. Inspect the vehicles inside and out and note the cleanliness of the offices and presentation of the staff. A poorly organized visit may indicate potential problems when it comes time for your occasion.
Find out about chauffeur training. Professional service is critical to your enjoyment of the day; choose a provider who offers a training program and places a high value on the caliber of their drivers.
Ask about insurance and permits. Get a copy of the certificate of insurance. **Note: If you plan to use the company's services over an extended period of time, for example with business clients, contact the insurance company directly and ask to be added as "named insured". If the coverage should lapse for any reason, the insurance company will notify you.
Check for certification, especially vehicle operating authority, safety certificates and driver licensing. If a service is taking you or your party across state lines, you should check with that state's Department of Motor Vehicles for regulations and compliance information.
Determine what contingency plans the company has to get you to your event should a vehicle break down or become involved in an accident; for example, for emergencies the company may have a reciprocal relationship with another carrier.
Ask if the 15 to 20 percent standard gratuity for livery service is included in the fare estimate. Be prepared to tip in cash; almost all chauffeurs prefer it.

Get It in Writing

When you've narrowed your choice down to one limousine service, try to get a written contract; a company that will not supply a contract may not be confident in their ability to fulfill.

Before signing a contract:

Know the company's cancellation policies and get them in writing.
Do not agree to pay more than a 50 percent deposit. Keep in mind a 25 percent deposit and full payment before the event date are standard guidelines.
If possible, pay the deposit and balance by credit card. You will be in a better position to dispute the charges if your vehicle is late, dirty or doesn't show.
Make sure you understand all the services to be provided. Also, if you have special requests - champagne for a wedding, a specific car color or make, etc. - be sure the details are clearly written in the contract as well. **Note: The more specific your requests, the further in advance you should reserve and pay for your limousine.
Request a written contract within one week of leaving your deposit, and keep a copy of the contract until after the successful completion of your event.

For more information, contact:

Better Business Bureau
www.bbb.org

New York State Attorney General
(800) 771-7755
www.oag.state.ny.us

Federal Trade Commission (FTC)
(877) 382-4357
www.ftc.gov

Federal Motor Carrier Safety
400 7th Street, S.W.
Washington, DC 20590
(202) 366-2519
www.fmcsa.dot.gov

US Department of Transportation (USDOT)
400 7th Street, S.W.
Washington, D.C. 20590
(202) 366-4000
www.dot.gov

This report is general in nature and is not intended as a reliability report on any company, service or product.