In Approval

Prom night is approaching and your little girl is growing up. Of course she wants to go to the prom, and why not, it is an exciting time for her and for you as well. As a parent, however, the excitement comes with a good deal of stress as you want her to return home safe and sound. To help ensure your child’s safety, you may want to hire a limo service to handle the driving so that you don’t have to worry about her on the road with a driver who may have been drinking.

In Los Angeles, a quick look at the yellow pages, or the results of an internet search, will probably show a dozen or more L.A. limo services, all boasting a variety of vehicles from shiny Lincoln Towncars, to ostentatious stretch Hummers. So are they all alike, or are some better than others? The answer is that there may be big differences. Unless you have close friends or relatives that hire limo services on a regular basis and can vouch for their experiences with a company, you will have to check them out yourself.

Start by calling the local chapter of the Better Business Bureau. They will tell you if any companies have safety, or alcohol related complaints. Alcohol related complaints are quite serious and often result from drivers buying alcohol for minors. Limousine companies cannot legally carry alcohol if the passengers are underage. Scratch these companies from your list.

Next, visit the limo service to inspect their paperwork and their vehicles. They should be happy to show you their local and state registration papers, as well as proof of insurance. Make certain that you ask them about their drivers’ records and ensure that the driver picking up your daughter is licensed to operate the type of vehicle to be hired. In some jurisdictions, long stretch model cars require drivers to have a special license. Reputable companies will be glad to provide you with this information.

When the limo arrives, check for overloading. A quick way to tell how many passengers the limo can carry is to count the number of seatbelts, and then check the state inspection sticker. It is also a good idea to make a note of the Vehicle Identification Number as well.