New Stretch Limousine Safety Measures Take Effect

New Safety Presentation Will Be Required Prior to Start of the Trip

DMV Continues Efforts to Ensure All Limos Are Properly Registered, Inspected and Insured

Under a new law, stretch limousine operators are now required to give passengers a safety presentation before the trip begins. The pre-trip safety briefing covers important information about the limo’s safety features including emergency exits, fire extinguishers, window break tools and how to use them. The law was passed last year and support’s the State’s ongoing efforts to enhance limousine safety.

“The purpose of this safety briefing is to familiarize passengers with the safety features and tools available to them in case they ever need to use them,” said Mark J.F. Schroeder, Commissioner of the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles and Chair of the Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee. “It’s just one of many steps the State has taken to make renting a limousine safer for consumers. Stretch limousines are usually rented when someone is celebrating important milestones or occasion in their lives. They deserve to know that the vehicle is safe and what they can do to protect themselves if an emergency does happen.”

In recent years, DMV has taken additional steps to increase enforcement of limousine safety, including: 

• Revoking 98 altered vehicle (stretch limousine) registrations, since Dec. 2022 for fraudulent registration paperwork.

• Pursued 21 driver license actions related to cases of improperly registered limousines since 2023. 

• Arrested and charged 20 individuals with various misdemeanors and felonies associated with fraudulently registering and operating limousines.

• Took administrative action against 79 licensed inspection stations and 96 certified inspectors since 2023.

The state offers other important safety information for consumers to follow before chartering a stretch limo, including a limo safety checklist and details about limo operator’s safety inspection performance.

Sources: https://dmv.ny.gov/news/new-stretch-limousine-safety-measures-take-effect