InStyle Wedding Cars has this advice about choosing the right wedding car:
Wedding cars must be licensed as “limousines” with the National Transport Authority. A Limousine Licence is indicated by discs on the front and rear windscreens of the car, which show the cars registration number, the number of passengers it is licensed to carry and the licence expiry date. For a Limousine Licence to be renewed each year, the car must undergo two tests – an NCT test and a Suitability Test. This ensures that only cars that are roadworthy and of very high quality are allowed to be licensed. A wedding car without a valid licence is not legally entitled to operate for hire and it is not possible for such a car to be insured for hire. To obtain a Limousine Licence, the business owner must possess a current Tax Clearance Certificate; therefore businesses which operate outside the tax system cannot obtain a Limousine Licence. The National Transport Authority has a Compliance Division which investigates unlicensed Limousines. If the car you book is not licensed and comes to the attention of the authorities before your wedding day, it may be seized and no longer be available for your wedding. Also, consider the risk of the car coming to the attention of the Gardai during your wedding and the embarrassment and inconvenience that it would cause you.
Check here to verify if a particular car is licensed for hire as a limousine or contact the National Transport Authority for further details.
Price Differences
If you receive two different quotes for a similar wedding car, there is a risk that the lower priced car may not be licensed or insured as described above. Price should not be the only deciding factor when booking a wedding car. If you are offered a wedding car at a very low price, beware that the car could be operating illegally.
Wedding Car Drivers
The drivers of wedding cars must hold an SPSV driver licence. The licensing process ensures that drivers meet certain standards, are tax compliant and have been considered of good character by the Gardaí who are responsible for issuing the licences. Professional wedding car operators should employ licensed drivers who are of suitable character and personality. An unlicensed wedding car may come with a driver who may not be the type of person that you wish to have involved in your wedding day.
Summary
- Be careful when booking your wedding car and ask for testimonials.
- Visit the company to form an opinion that you are dealing with professionals and view the cars to ensure that they are licensed and that the cars really exist as photos on websites can often be misleading, particularly if registration numbers are blocked in photos.
- If the company discourages you from viewing the cars, then you should consider the risk that you are taking with your wedding day.
- If you view the cars and suspect that they are not licensed or are not in good condition, then walk away.
- If it is not feasible for you to visit the company, ask for the licence number and check that it is valid for the particular car.
- Remember, an unlicensed wedding car is:
- Not Legal
- Not Insured
- Not Tax Compliant
- Not Professional
- Your wedding day is a very important day, so book your wedding transport wisely.
Other Important Facts
- Two door cars cannot be licensed for hire in Ireland.
- Northern Ireland or UK registered cars cannot be licensed for hire in Ireland.
- For a wedding car to be licensed it must have an engine capacity greater than 2000cc and four doors – these conditions rule out smaller cars.
See InStyle Wedding Cars for more advice on choosing the right wedding car.
