Dated: 18th September 2007

License to party

Monmouthshire County Council’s licensing committee recently adopted a new policy to license limousines, novelty vehicles and their owners and drivers which will ensure the safety of passengers in Monmouthshire.

The policy will require that drivers and operators are vetted in the same manner as taxi drivers which will include Criminal Records Bureau checks and vehicles will be tested on a regular basis at approved test centres. Previously, limousines and novelty vehicles such as Fire Engines and Ambulances were exempt from these checks, but now all drivers and vehicles with more than eight seats will have to conform to the same high standards.

The new policy was adopted after consultation with all operators in Monmouthshire.  Their overall response was in favour of the idea.  Monmouthshire is the first area in the former Gwent region to adopt such a policy.  The other authorities, Blaenau Gwent, Caerphilly, Newport and Torfaen are hoping to follow in Monmouthshire’s footsteps and adopt similar policies in the near future. 

Councillor Ted Dorel said of the new policy “Closing this loophole means that now all passenger vehicles have the same high standards, which can only be a good thing for people in Monmouthshire.  This is about creating safer and stronger communities.” 

For further information on this matter please contact the Licensing department on 01633 644785.