THEY may be regarded by some as a rather brash and ostentatious mode of transport, but American stretch limos have now been officially accepted by the authorities.
Lee Antcliff and Coun Colin Barron.
Rotherh
am Council's licensing board set up a new Special Occasion Private Hire category last year to take account of such vehicles and the first has now been registered.
Stretch limos did not fall into any of the existing licensing categories but will now be subjected to similar rules affecting private hire vehicles and hackney carriages.
Lee Antcliff, owner of the firm 21st Century, is the first to get official council plates for his vehicle.
Under council rules, it means drivers must be fit and proper people to hold that position and must also be competent drivers.
Mr Antcliff said: "I am all for it because from a safety point of view it is excellent for the people who use my vehicle. The licence proves that not only has the vehicle undergone regular tests but also the drivers are responsible members of the public who have passed thorough police checks."
Licensing board chairman Coun Colin Barron said: "As public safety is paramount, to continue to allow Special Occasion Private Hire Vehicles and drivers to operate without any control or checks could potentially put members of the public in danger.
"The vehicles were only required to have a standard MoT test annually and there were no measures in place to check the suitability of the drivers to ensure that they are safe to carry members of the public. The new regime will endeavour to ensure the safety of the public who travel in these vehicles," he said.
More licences are expected to be granted in the coming weeks.
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