Tour operator Business

[Maxibmx]

Hi
I plan to set up a private tour business in the UK (later on in Europe).
I want to offer a package to take them from their house to a tourist destination in my own passenger's van(up to 8 people). I'm confused at one point. Do I need a license for the vehicle too, or does the PSV license enough? If the vehicle needs a license, what sort of license does it need and where to apply for it?

All your help much appreciated.

Thanks, Buddies

 

[Deleted member 335660]

Hi, I don’t think your car will need a special license, I used to do mini cabbing work and did not need one. However, you need special insurance. Your insurance company may also tell you if you need a special license.

Good luck.

 

[Interestedobserver]

Nothing to do with insurance but are you targetting domestic customers or overseas?

It's just that you mention collecting people from home rather than hotels above?

Gut instinct tells me overseas customers will be at least as likely if not more likely to want the services of a private tour and guide

 

[WaveJumper]

If the vehicle weighs up to 3,500kgs and has no more than 8 passenger seats, a driver can operate the vehicle on a category B (car) driving licence. Anything over this different rules apply, getting the correct insurance and their advice is going to be your first step

 

[Lucan Unlordly]

A mate of mine, a former London Cabbie, tried doing something similar a few years ago and found it very stressful. He had a link up with a few small hotels in the home counties and was on hand to give guided tours to overseas visitors.
Most of the problems encountered were overselling of the service offered. The intention was to do an 'on the right is the Blind Beggar pub where the Kray Twins etc.,', on the left is Pudding Lane, great fire of London etc., etc., The reality was that those willing to spend good money expected him to be able to answer more in depth questions.

 

[Maxibmx]

Nothing to do with insurance but are you targetting domestic customers or overseas?

It's just that you mention collecting people from home rather than hotels above?

Gut instinct tells me overseas customers will be at least as likely if not more likely to want the services of a private tour and guide

So, for now, just domestic customers. We are not collecting customers from Hotels, but the service is offered for people within the country and their households. The plan is to offer a package, for example, a day to Durdle door for up to 8 people. Let me say I'm living in Leicester. Taking passengers from Leicester to Durdle door and back (something like this).

 

[Maxibmx]

Hi, I don’t think your car will need a special license; I used to do mini cabbing work and did not need one. However, you need special insurance. Your insurance company may also tell you if you need a special license.

Good luck.

Thank you for your reply. In this scenario, I need a local taxi license, right? or maybe an operator license?

 

[Maxibmx]

If the vehicle weighs up to 3,500kgs and has no more than 8 passenger seats, a driver can operate the vehicle on a category B (car) driving licence. Anything over this different rules apply, getting the correct insurance and their advice is going to be your first step

Thank you for the reply. I'm just confused with what license I have to apply to run the business as a private tour.

 

[Lucan Unlordly]

So, for now, just domestic customers. We are not collecting customers from Hotels, but the service is offered for people within the country and their households. The plan is to offer a package, for example, a day to Durdle door for up to 8 people. Let me say I'm living in Leicester. Taking passengers from Leicester to Durdle door and back (something like this).

Isn't that just a Taxi service?

 

[Interestedobserver]

Or you would need to become a blue badge guide to offer information alongside the transport?

 

[NT8SeaterTaxis]

Passenger carrying vehicle would require licence, id suggest a taxi licence or private hire operator licence. Then you would also need Hire and Reward insurance etc.

Upto 8 passengers you wouldnt need a PSV licence.

However check with your local authority, they should be able to help you with regards to local licensing and what you do/dont need as most councils have different, specific requirements.

In my area our taxis have to be black in colour and have yellow taci roof signs which isnt a good look for a tourer operator. May be different where you are.

 

[ecommerce84]

Nothing to do with insurance but are you targetting domestic customers or overseas?

It's just that you mention collecting people from home rather than hotels above?

Gut instinct tells me overseas customers will be at least as likely if not more likely to want the services of a private tour and guide

This is a really good point.

I used to work at a stately home that was very much on radar of all of these tour operators. I wouldn’t be surprised if 90% of these smaller tours were carrying overseas visitors and probably 90% of those were either American or Japanese.

 

[cts1975]

You will need a local authority private/public hire drivers badge and the vehicle will need to be licensed for private or public hire. You will also need the vehicle to be insured for hire or reward.
You local licensing authority will have a taxi licensing page and contacts on their website.
You do not need a specific qualification or licence to be a guide. The Blue Badge Guide is recognised as a qualification and they normally belong to the best guides. As somebody else has said you will need in depth knowledge to answer questions from passengers.
Up to 8 seats has very low barrier to entry from a business point of view, most Blue Badge Guides will provide a vehicle for up to 8 passengers. More than 8 passengers requires more to become a licensed operator such as a transport manager, operating centre, maintenance contracts etc.