User:Essence Limousines/Special Purpose Limousines

Special Purpose Limousines

Special Purpose Limousines are a category of registration and licencing for vehicles intended to be used as public passenger vehicles for particular services, in Queensland, Australia, in particular:

• Weddings
• School Formals / Proms / Graduation Ceremonies
• Tourist Services
• Sporting Events
• Cultural Events

Special Purpose Limousine Licencing was introduced on September 3rd, 2008, in Queensland, in response to Queensland not having a regulated wedding car licensing system like other Australian states and territories, and in response to the National Competition Policy review of the Transport Operations (Passenger Transport) Act 1994.

Allowable Vehicles

Special Purpose Limousine licencing is restricted to particular vehicles, namely:

• Stretched Vehicles that have exceeded their maximum age as a full service limousine ie;
  • Ford LTD or Holden Caprice - 12 years from 1st registration
  • Mercedes Benz - 20 Years from 1st registration
• Non-Stretched vehicles that are over 30 years of age from their 1st registration
• Vehicles must be a mass produced vehicle ie; no small production vehicles or hot rods

Licencing and Registration

Owner/Operators, Drivers and Vehicles must be appropriately licenced to operate as a Special Purpose Limousine Service.

For Owners / Operators

• Obtain an Operator Accreditation which includes:
  • An international criminal history check.
  • Filing the appropriate application, and paying the yearly fee, with Queensland Department of Main Roads and Transport.
• If intending to drive the limousine, obtain a Driver Autorisation or DA.

For Vehicles

• Undergo an inspection at an approved Queensland Department of Transport and Main Roads inspection station (also colloquially referred to as the pits) every six months to obtain, and keep current, a Certificate of Inspection or COI.
• Obtain, and keep current, a Category 4 (Hire Vehicle) third party injury insurance policy.
• Licence the vehicle as a Special Purpose Limousine with the Queensland Department of Transport and Main Roads.
• Register the vehicle as a Special Purpose Limousine with the Queensland Department of Transport and Main Roads.

Once this has been completed, Special Purpose Limousine licence plates will be issued. The plates have the format SPnnll with embossing Queensland Limousine

For Drivers

• Obtain an L DA or limousine driver authorisation, which includes:
  • Undergoing a medical examination,obtaining, and maintaining, a pass status on the medical certificate.
  • Undergoing a Criminal History Check with the Queensland Police Service.
  • Undergoing a driver history check with the Queensland Department of Main Roads and Transport.
  • Filing the appropriate application, and paying the yearly fee, with Queensland Department of Main Roads and Transport.

External links

• FAQ's about Special Purpose limousine Services, Queensland [1]
• Transport Operations (Passenger Transport) Act, 1994 [2]
• Examples of Queensland Special Purpose Limousine Services:
  • Elite Cruising [3]
  • Essence Limousines [4]
  • SV Limos [5]