Hiring a limo service? Be sure it’s licensed with the state.

Planning a wedding? Going to the prom? If you are thinking about hiring a limousine service for your special event, the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) wants to remind you to make sure the service is properly licensed with the state of Michigan. Limousine operators in Michigan are required to be licensed, carry sufficient liability insurance and undergo annual safety inspections on all their vehicles. Remember that an advertisement in the phone book, newspaper or Internet does not guarantee that the operator is licensed. Operators who are not licensed are in violation of state law and subject to fines and penalties.

To find out if the limousine service you plan to use is licensed by the state, visit the MDOT Web site at www.michigan.gov/mdot. On the home page under “Favorite Links,” click on “Bus and Limo Licensing,” then select “Current List of Carriers.” If you do not see the limousine service listed, it is likely that the operator is providing service illegally and should not be hired. To help find a limousine company close to you, there is an online option to search by county. (Note that carriers are certified statewide.) Alternatively, call MDOT’s Bureau of Passenger Transportation at 517-241-0679 (companies starting with A-K) or 517-241-0680 (L-Z) from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday.

To make your event extra special by using one of Michigan’s quality limo services, MDOT advises consumers to do their homework. Go to the Web site to look at the checklist. If you happen to be planning a event and need transportation in the Bay Area check out our friends at www.vipbayarea.com.

Image Courtesy of Dream Limousines.