Wedding car hire business help

[Dirtyhandsman]

Hi I am on the verge of investing in some classic wedding cars to start a wedding car hire business. I have secured finance and I have had some hire and reward insurance quotes which I am happy with. (Also public liability). The only issue I'm stumbling on is whether you need a licence or not? I have researched this online and on the gov.uk website where it clearly says wedding and funeral cars are exempt from any licencing. I have also come across some articles on the net saying the government are considering implementing licences for wedding cars so they are the same as Hackney's and limousines, however I can't find any evidence to suggest that this has been implemented yet. I have been to my local council office to ask their advice and to be honest I was quite disappointed with the advice I was given as I was handed a hackney carriage / private hire vehicle licence application form and told I would have to sit before a panel of 6 councillors in order to be reviewed for a licence. The lady, who was very nice by the way, later added that she was new and probably not the best person to ask about this. She also suggested that perhaps the people doing weddings in my area were unlicenced and on dodgy ground as she doesn't recall anyone coming in to apply for a licence for weddings. Can anyone who is in this sector shed any light? And is it possible the licencing requirements vary from council to council? Any help appreciated greatly.

 

[Dirtyhandsman]

If you search on the gov website "limousine licencing" it clearly says that weddings and funerals are exempt. Excuse my ignorance but is it possible for a local council to follow a different set of guidelines to the ones set out on the gov website? Seems very strange to me if that is the case?

 

[Scalloway]

Can you give the address of the government website? I can't find it. Use a space or spell out dots as you won't be able to post it as a newbie.

 

[JEREMY HAWKE]

No you do not need a licence

 

[UKSBD]

Can you give the address of the government website? I can't find it. Use a space or spell out dots as you won't be able to post it as a newbie.

https://www.gov.uk/limousine-licensing

 

[UKSBD]

If you search on the gov website "limousine licencing" it clearly says that weddings and funerals are exempt. Excuse my ignorance but is it possible for a local council to follow a different set of guidelines to the ones set out on the gov website? Seems very strange to me if that is the case?

If you look on this page https://www.gov.uk/private-hire-vehicle-operator-licence-outside-london it says, licences for operator, driver and vehicle.

Although you don't need a licence for the "limo" for weddings, you may still need an operator and driver licence. (I don't know, but that's how it reads to me)

 

[Prime81]

Have you thought about proms?? Seems to be what all the kids are doing now to arrive with their mates in a fancy car and be seen round town for an hour leading upto it. I know 5 boys paying £50 each to all be picked up locally, drive around and be dropped off at the hotel for 1 hour, sounds good for £250.

 

[Dirtyhandsman]

It seems a very grey area to me. One part of the gov website clearly says weddings and funerals are exempt and don't need a licence. Surely this should be a simple black or white rule across the board, why all the enigma? So bizarre

 

[Dirtyhandsman]

Have you thought about proms?? Seems to be what all the kids are doing now to arrive with their mates in a fancy car and be seen round town for an hour leading upto it. I know 5 boys paying £50 each to all be picked up locally, drive around and be dropped off at the hotel for 1 hour, sounds good for £250.

I have but was looking at targeting weddings solely with classic wedding cars so won't be any crossover to proms really I wouldn't have thought and for that I certainly would need a licence no doubt about that.

 

[UKSBD]

It seems a very grey area to me. One part of the gov website clearly says weddings and funerals are exempt and don't need a licence.

No it doesn't, what it says is;

"Limousines with up to 8 passenger seats don’t require a licence for weddings and funerals."

It doesn't say "weddings and funerals are exempt" only the "Vehicle" is.

Read my other post, you may still need an operators and a drivers licence, even if you don't need a vehicle licence.

 

[Dirtyhandsman]

I see what you mean, thanks for your help. The council are supposed to be coming back to me with a clearer answer.

 

[UKSBD]

The council are supposed to be coming back to me with a clearer answer.

Good luck with that :-(

From my experience it can sometimes be how they interpret what is written in front of them rather than what is.

 

[Chris Ashdown]

It might be a good idea to get a private hire licence, for both driver and car it would appear rather silly to not be able to cover other events if asked, and at such a small additional cost

 

[Dirtyhandsman]

It might be a good idea to get a private hire licence, for both driver and car it would appear rather silly to not be able to cover other events if asked, and at such a small additional cost

I think it is at least an additional £600 for one of the licences, then another one I am waiting back to here the price of, then there are more stringent tests on the vehicles (like the checks that are done on taxis which are far more critical than a standard mot) bare in mind that the vehicles will be near on 70 years old and surely can't be expected to match up to the braking and criteria of a brand new taxi and surely shouldn't be tested in the same way?

 

[Dirtyhandsman]

What would you guys say the penalty of not having a licence to be worst case scenario? Fine and a ban from further business activities in this area? Or just a slap on the wrist and an insisting of the correct licencing be implemented?

 

[Benjamin B]

Hi Dirtyhandsman, I can't offer any help with regards to the licensing but one thing in particular did strike me about your original post.

Clearly this is a new venture for you and it sounds really exciting.

You mentioned that you are on the verge of investing in some classic cars (plural) and I presume, which may be wrong, that you are yet to build up a clientele and have not yet tested to see if your concept works - obviously I only have the info in your post to go on.

I have seen many times in business when people have been really excited, motivated and invest huge amounts in to an idea that they "know is destined to succeed" only for it to fail, when they could have found out for far less ££££'s.

I'm not saying that your idea is going to fail, far from it - it sounds like a great business.

However, have you considered financing just one vehicle to begin with first to find out:

a) If there is a market for it

b) You actually enjoy it

Before you over commit to financial obligations that you cannot get out of?

Ben

 

[BusterBloodvessel]

If you are able to share when you hopefully get your "clearer answer" from the council that would be interesting.

Me and a few friends all have classic cars and have discussed doing this with them (mainly beer talk I must add!) after we were approached to do it a couple of times when out and about in the cars and I've also had family members ask me. It's not something we would want to do a lot of but it would be nice to do here and there if we could cover the costs of insurance etc.

I don't want another job or business I've got enough! But it would be nice to get the cars used and seen and be quite enjoyable to get out and about in them for "something" rather than just our usual tootle over the moors to a country pub!

 

[Dirtyhandsman]

Hi Dirtyhandsman, I can't offer any help with regards to the licensing but one thing in particular did strike me about your original post.

Clearly this is a new venture for you and it sounds really exciting.

You mentioned that you are on the verge of investing in some classic cars (plural) and I presume, which may be wrong, that you are yet to build up a clientele and have not yet tested to see if your concept works - obviously I only have the info in your post to go on.

I have seen many times in business when people have been really excited, motivated and invest huge amounts in to an idea that they "know is destined to succeed" only for it to fail, when they could have found out for far less ££££'s.

I'm not saying that your idea is going to fail, far from it - it sounds like a great business.

However, have you considered financing just one vehicle to begin with first to find out:

a) If there is a market for it

b) You actually enjoy it

Before you over commit to financial obligations that you cannot get out of?

Ben

Yes you are probably right with what you say, it just lends itself to have at least two cars in case one fails/has to be repaired or simply won't start one day. Having 2 or 3 cars also helps to cover all bases as I would assume people would be put off if their family and bridesmaids etc can't be transported also. Caution is good in an unknown market though. Point taken and thanks for the advice.

 

[Chris Ashdown]

This is the great Yarmouth private car charges
https://www.great-yarmouth.gov.uk/article/2393/Taxi-licensing

Regarding the car
https://www.great-yarmouth.gov.uk/CHttpHandler.ashx?id=1049&p=0

 

[Dirtyhandsman]

If you are able to share when you hopefully get your "clearer answer" from the council that would be interesting.

Me and a few friends all have classic cars and have discussed doing this with them (mainly beer talk I must add!) after we were approached to do it a couple of times when out and about in the cars and I've also had family members ask me. It's not something we would want to do a lot of but it would be nice to do here and there if we could cover the costs of insurance etc.

I don't want another job or business I've got enough! But it would be nice to get the cars used and seen and be quite enjoyable to get out and about in them for "something" rather than just our usual tootle over the moors to a country pub!

I'll be sure to let you know if and when the council get back to me.

 

[Benjamin B]

Yes you are probably right with what you say, it just lends itself to have at least two cars in case one fails/has to be repaired or simply won't start one day. Having 2 or 3 cars also helps to cover all bases as I would assume people would be put off if their family and bridesmaids etc can't be transported also. Caution is good in an unknown market though. Point taken and thanks for the advice.

Yes - I see the dilemna there - great points.

It looks like BusterBloodVessel might be the answer to your prayers with his/her offer - even at least just to start out and test the market - there may even be a business behind there, linking classic car owners up with wedding travel businesses.

 

[Dirtyhandsman]

If you are able to share when you hopefully get your "clearer answer" from the council that would be interesting.

Me and a few friends all have classic cars and have discussed doing this with them (mainly beer talk I must add!) after we were approached to do it a couple of times when out and about in the cars and I've also had family members ask me. It's not something we would want to do a lot of but it would be nice to do here and there if we could cover the costs of insurance etc.

I don't want another job or business I've got enough! But it would be nice to get the cars used and seen and be quite enjoyable to get out and about in them for "something" rather than just our usual tootle over the moors to a country pub!

I'm not sure that was on offer to borrow/loan the cars to me I think he meant to try doing the odd one himself? Is that correct?

 

[Mark T Jones]

I'm not sure that was on offer to borrow/loan the cars to me I think he meant to try doing the odd one himself? Is that correct?

In business everything is up for discussion.

 

[Benjamin B]

I'm not sure that was on offer to borrow/loan the cars to me I think he meant to try doing the odd one himself? Is that correct?

I'm not sure how it works on here - I don't get notified when I've been quoted so Buster might not know you've asked unless he visits the thread again. Might be worth sending him a PM and just sound him out.

Mark, I like your style!

 

[Dirtyhandsman]

Certainly worth a go. Glad I came in here now

 

[BusterBloodvessel]

Haha, well it wasn't an offer (apologies if it read like that) BUT as Mark says everything is up for discussion!

One other note you mentioned about a back-up car - I know a couple of people that have used classic car hire for weddings and there was a back up car but NOT a classic. Something nice like a Range Rover or Merc C Class, and it was in the contract that the firm couldn't be responsible if the main car broke down. The backup car was dressed up with ribbons etc and followed the classic car to the venue in case of any issues.

 

[UKSBD]

My father used to do weddings in a White Alvis TC21 and a TA21, never on the same day but had them both prepared so always had a back-up. (also had access to another white wedding car as a 2nd back-up)

He never made any money from it and spent more time tinkering with the cars than anything else, it was like his hobby.

I remember growing up as a kid with old car parts spread all over the spare bedroom floor, you need a passion if doing things like this.

 

[Dirtyhandsman]

My father used to do weddings in a White Alvis TC21 and a TA21, never on the same day but had them both prepared so always had a back-up. (also had access to another white wedding car as a 2nd back-up)

He never made any money from it and spent more time tinkering with the cars than anything else, it was like his hobby.

I remember growing up as a kid with old car parts spread all over the spare bedroom floor, you need a passion if doing things like this.

Interesting! Yeah I am a trained mechanic too so I can deal with the repairs. But the idea is to make money like. Was it your father's full time job?

 

[UKSBD]

Interesting! Yeah I am a trained mechanic too so I can deal with the repairs. But the idea is to make money like. Was it your father's full time job?

No, it just started as a hobby, tinkering with the cars.

The 1st one was black, but when he got a 2nd one which was white, he started doing weddings.

It helped that my Grandfather ran a taxi/private hire/minibus company which had a couple of Daimlers and white Mercs and both my mum and dad helped out with driving and had their PSV licences (or PCV).