Limousine Speed Limiters

It is a continuing fight between the limo hire companies and the VOSA about the number of passengers allowed to ride in stretch limousines. Because many of the new SUV limousines come from the US, they are fitted out to carry anywhere up to 24 passengers and the limo hire companies want to make use of this.

The VOSA is however working on making the current eight seater limousines safer first. They acknowledge that there are many limousines which can carry more than eight passengers and they have stated that any passenger carrying vehicle with more than eight passenger seats must have speed limiters fitted.

The VOSA do not expect all of the larger limousines to comply at once so there are staggered compliance dates depending on the year of manufacture. The limiter will restrict the larger limousines and other passenger vehicles to a speed of 100k/h and if there is no such limiter fitted to the limousines, they will not pass any safety or compliance tests and will be taken off the road.

Buses and coaches have had their speeds restricted for many years and it is simply the insurgence of the SUV limousines onto our streets which has highlighted the gap in the regulations for limousines as passenger carrying vehicles, similar to buses.

While the current law for coaches and smaller limousines applies to vehicles over 5,000 lbs, the new speed limiter regulations are in place regardless of the weight of the vehicle, however, most of the SUV limousines are over this weight bracket anyway.

The new laws are simply bringing the limousine industry in line with other passenger carrying industries and making the larger SUV limousine not only safer but making the laws more consistent and therefore easier to enforce.

For more information about hiring a fully compliant SUV limousine for a big night out, contact Limo Hire Sheffield now.