Dan the Professional Limo Driver says, ‘When shopping for a limousine, make sure it is you (and not your wallet) that gets taken for the ride of its life.’ 

We all know the old adage, ‘You get what you pay for’ and for limousine rentals, like most things in life, this tends to be true. If you have an important event that must be serviced professionally, Joe Dokes Limo Co. run out of a storage shed on a dark alley probably isn’t the best choice you could make. It might work for a loud night out on the town but to arrive on time and with elegance requires details: you need a vehicle that is clean, new and comfortable; and has a full tank of gas. So how do you avoid getting a twenty seat, beat up party Hummer when you asked for the latest shiny black Lincoln? 

When phoning around, aim for companies that work with business professionals, do corporate events and maybe even service professional entertainers. (While conventional wisdom says these people do nothing but party, rest assured they travel in style.) Reputable organizations will be advertising their specialties just like any other industry does. Another key is to see how long they have been in business. Not to knock on the ‘little guy’ but if a company has weathered the up’s and down’s of this cyclical industry it is probably doing something well, which really translates into taking great care of clients. Also, an easily overlooked ‘bullet’ to look for is the size of the company’s fleet. If they have fifteen or more vehicles on the road then that is a good sign the company is well managed and takes care of its vehicles. 

Asking the other pertinent questions like- What does it cost to stay out until three instead of ending at midnight like planned? Or, How much is the clean up fee just in case Aunt Roslyn can’t keep her hands off the martini’s (or the driver)?- are good questions to ask. A healthy dose of common sense can solve any other ‘iffy’ questions too.  

Key reminder! The driver is a human being and has basically seen it all if he/she has worked in the industry for any length of time. So, while hitting on the driver might work out there is no need to take it personally if it doesn’t- it might just be they do not want to lose their job for fraternizing with clients. If it is true love then tread carefully.  

In a nutshell, here is the overview on how to make sure your event is a grand success and not a tragic disaster. 

• How long has the company been in business?
• How many vehicles does the company have on the road, and what types are they (Limousines, Sedans, Vans, Party Buses, Hummer Limos.)?
• How much for extending the evening on short notice?
• What is the cleaning fee if needed?

Oh yeah, tips… For a great night out on the town $100 is pretty solid; $50 is nice and $20 is, well, just a little shabby that’s all. Whatever you do, do not end the night in a drunken fog trying to find your checkbook to crank out a tip. Lame. Just keep your checkbook.  

Other than that it is really about common courtesy and basic intelligence. So kids, just keep in mind what Driver Dan says, ‘wherever you find yourself, have fun!’