Laws / Regulations

Limousine Regulations;

The Great Lakes Limousine Association keeps Safety of Vehicles in high regard. This is the main reason why We support the State of Michigan’s Limousine Law (Public Act 271 of 1990). You can download the law in its entirety by clicking this link,  michigan_limousine_law 20.31 Kb

The Law defines a Limousine as; A vehicle used in the carrying of passengers for hire with a “Seating Capacity” of 15, or less including the driver.

A vehicle that seats more than 15 is considered a Bus, and has a different “Authority,” which will be covered after this Limousine description.

A Limousine Company must obtain a “Certificate of Authority” to operate Legally in the State of Michigan. To qualify for an “Authority” a Limousine company must complete three steps, and they are:

· 1.) Each vehicle must go through a complete Safety inspection. This annual inspection must be preformed by a State Certified Mechanic, at a State Licensed Repair Facility.

· 2.) A Limousine must carry a minimum amount of liability Insurance. A vehicle that seats 1-9 passengers requires $1,000,000.00, a vehicle that hold 10-15 passengers requires $2,000,000.00. More than 15 is considered a Bus, and is covered below.

· 3.) The Company must subscribe to the “Commercial Look-Up Service.” This service is provided by the Michigan “Secretary of State.” The service tracks the driving record of each of the driver’s that performs driving services for the company. More information on the “Commercial Look-Up Service” at the bottom of this page.

Once the above three steps are complete, the vehicle is issued a numbered “Registration Sticker.” That sticker must be placed on the furthest rear driver’s side facing window. The sticker is only valid from the 1^st day of March untill the last day of February, and must be renewed Every year.

There are other regulations a Limousine operator must follow, and they are,

Our hope is when it comes time for You to reserve a Limousine, You choose a Great Lakes Limousine Association Member. If You decide to choose a Non-Member company we ask that You check with the State of Michigan’s list of Legally Licensed Limousine companies. This list is updated daily. You can view the list by clicking on this link:

Current Limousine Operators 

Another fact You need, If You are planning, while in a Limousine, on enjoying an “Adult Beverage,” and You are of Legal Drinking Age, that Limousine MUST hold a “Certificate of Authority” for You to Legally be able to do so.

**Michigan Vehicle Code - Public Act 300 of 1949 - 257.624a Sub-Section (4)**

Bus Regulations

The Great Lakes Limousine Association keeps vehicle safety in high regard.   This is the main reason we support the State of Michigan’s Bus Law (Public Act 432 of 1982) you can download the Law in its entirety from this link:

 mcl-act-432-of-19822 24.03 Kb

The Law defines a Bus as; A vehicle used in the carrying of passengers for hire with a “Seating Capacity” of more than 15, including the driver. A vehicle with a “Seating Capacity” less than 15 is defined as a Limousine, and has a different “Authority” which is covered above. A Limousine / Bus Company must obtain a “Certificate of Authority” to operate Legally in the State of Michigan. To obtain a “Certificate of Authority” the Company must complete the following steps,

· Each vehicle must pass a Yearly Safety Inspection, performed by a M-DOT (Michigan Department of Transportation) Inspector.

· The vehicle must carry a minimum of $5,000,000.00 of Liability Insurance.

· The vehicle must display “US DOT numbers” on each side of the vehicle. These numbers must be affixed near the front, but behind the front wheels.

· The driver must possess a “CDL,” (Commercial Drivers License) with a “P” (Passenger) endorsement. The drive must also follow all the “Federal Motor Carrier” Safety Regulations; Carry a Valid DOT Medical Card, Stay within the “Hours of Service” rules, be enrolled in a “Random Drug Testing Program,” etc.

Once the above is complete the M-DOT inspector will affix a “Registration Sticker” on the Front Driver’s Side facing window. This Sticker, as well as, the safety inspection is valid for one “Calendar” Year.

We hope that when it comes time for you to reserve a bus, that you choose a member of the Great Lakes Limousine Association.  You can see a list of all legal bus companies by clicking on the link below:

Current Bus Operators

There is more to renting a limousine than price or how "cool" it looks.  We, at the Great Lakes Limousine Association, believe it is imperative that you ask questions.

Does the company that you are planning on doing business with:

· Have a current “Certificate of Authority” from the State Of Michigan ?

· Respect the current Limousine Law, by registering their large vehicle with a “Seating Capacity” of more than 15 as a Bus ?

· Require their drivers to carry their MVR for Your review ?

 

These are just a few of a long list of questions we think you should ask. If you have any questions for us, Please feel free to go to our Contact Us page, and ask !

 

Another fact you need, if you are planning, while in a Limo-Coach, on enjoying an “Adult Beverage,” and you are of legal drinking age, that limousine MUST hold a “Certificate of Authority” for you to legally be able to do so.

**Michigan Vehicle Code - Act 300 of 1949 - 257.624a Sub-Section (4)**

 

More Safety Issues;

Ford Motor Company, and General Motors both have instituted programs, which insure the vehicles that are converted into a Limousine, comply with standards to keep their vehicle Safe, as well as, keep the integrity of their “Base Vehicle.” The State of Michigan does not take these programs into consideration in regards to the current Limousine Law. Both of these programs came into existence after the current Law was written.

CMC – (Cadillac Master Coachbuilder) is the General Motors program. You can learn more about the CMC program by clicking on the Logo below,

 

QVM – (Quality Vehicle Modifier) is the Ford Motor Company program. You can learn more about the QVM program by clicking on the Logo below,