A "substantial number" of stretch limos do not meet UK safety standards, the Traffic Commissioner for Wales says.
A "substantial number" of stretch limousines do not meet UK safety standards, says a traffic watchdog.
Nick Jones said he was concerned about the increase in people using the vehicles, which have become a staple of many parties, proms and hen nights.
Wales and west Midlands traffic commissioner Nick Jones is concerned about rising use of the cars hired for parties, school proms and hen nights.
He said while lots of the limousines are properly licensed, many are illegal and have drivers who are not vetted by the Criminal Records Bureau (CRB).
He said while lots are properly licensed, many are illegal and have drivers not vetted by the Criminal Records Bureau (CRB).
Some spot-checks even revealed drivers on the sex offenders register, he said.
Some spot checks even revealed drivers on the sex offenders register, he said.
Mr Jones is to meet representatives from the stretch limousine industry and local authorities in Newport to look at ways of dealing with the problem.
Mr Jones is examining the issue on behalf of his fellow UK commissioners and will meet representatives from the stretch limousine industry and local authorities in Newport, south Wales, to look at ways of dealing with the problem.
He said the current law pre-dates the growing use, so regulating stretch limos had "proved a difficult issue".
He said the current law pre-dates the growing use, so regulating stretch limos had "proved a difficult issue". There are a lot of stretch limos that are legal and are properly licensed and people need to check for these Nick Jones, traffic commissioner for Wales
There are a lot of stretch-limos that are legal and are properly licensed and people need to check for these Nick Jones, Traffic Commissioner for Wales
"These are substantial vehicles which can be as long as a bus, and as many of them are imported, they may not meet GB safety standards," he said.
"These are substantial vehicles which can be as long as a bus, and as many of them are imported, they may not meet GB safety standards," he said.
"Their number is growing annually too, which is why we are holding this meeting."
"Their number is growing annually too, which is why we are holding this meeting."
Stretch limos, which can have up to 16 seats, are often imported from the US, where different safety laws apply.
Stretch limos, which can have up to 16 seats, are often imported from the US, where different safety laws apply.
Some are adapted to become stretch limos by a process called 'cut and shut', where two vehicles are cut in half and stretched by adding extra parts.
Some are adapted to become stretch limos by a process called "cut and shut", where two vehicles are sliced in half and stretched by adding extra parts.
"This is dangerous as they might not have the proper safety features and doors might not shut properly, for example," said Mr Jones.
"This is dangerous as they might not have the proper safety features and doors might not shut properly, for example," said Mr Jones.
He is also traffic commissioner for the West Midlands and is examining the issue on behalf of his fellow UK commissioners.
'Simple checks'
'Simple checks'
"Operators of stretch limousines whose vehicle are not properly licensed could find they are not insured for the work they are doing, which then means passengers are not safeguarded in the event of an accident."
"Operators of stretch limousines whose vehicle are not properly licensed could find they are not insured for the work they are doing, which then means passengers are not safeguarded in the event of an accident."
He said another concern was the fact that drivers of vehicles with more than eight seats - known as Private Service Vehicles (PSV) - do not need to be vetted by the CRB.
He said another concern was the fact that drivers of vehicles with more than eight seats - known as Private Service Vehicles (PSV) - do not need to be vetted by the CRB.
"I know of instances where police have carried out checks and they have found some drivers who are on the sex offenders register," he said.
"I know of instances where police have carried out checks and they have found some drivers who are on the sex offenders register," he said.
"I don't think people are aware and it's worrying."
"I don't think people are aware and it's worrying."
He said simple checks could ensure people use licensed stretch limos.
He said simple checks could ensure people use licensed stretch limos.
"There are a lot of stretch limos that are legal and are properly licensed and people need to check for these," he added
"There are a lot of stretch limos that are legal and are properly licensed and people need to check for these," he added
'Special disc'
"If a vehicle is licensed by the local authority [which regulates limousines with eight or fewer seats], it will have a plate.
"If a vehicle is licensed by the local authority [which regulates limousines with eight or fewer seats], it will have a plate.
"If it's a PSV [which are licensed by traffic inspectors], it should have a special disc in the window. People can also ask for their licence number."
"If it's a PSV [which are licensed by traffic inspectors], it should have a special disc in the window. People can also ask for their licence number."
The government is currently tightening controls on stretch limousines to make sure they meet safety and licensing standards.
The government is currently tightening controls on stretch limousines to make sure they meet safety and licensing standards.
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