Consider the kind of customers you want to service before choosing a vehicle. If you buy a standard non-stretched Lincoln Town Car, chances are that you will be driving corporate types and other folks to and from the airport. If you buy a stretch limousine, you will be more apt to book jobs such as weddings, proms and parties. These jobs can be more lucrative than a Town Car booking, but be prepared for late nights, some unruly customers and trashed vehicles. There are also stretch SUVs such as Hummers and Navigators. These vehicles really attract the party crowd and can fetch rates of $200 per hour and higher.
Shop for limousine insurance. There are only a handful of companies in the United States that offer it. Transportation Insurance Brokers, also known as TIB, is a popular choice, as well as a company called Praetorian. You also will have to call your state's Public Utilities Commission (PUC) and find out what they require in order to register your vehicle and put it into service. In some states such as California, you should be prepared for a lot of red tape when dealing with the PUC. You also will need to call your local airport and ask what permits they require to operate on airport property.
Be prepared to advertise. Advertising is the key element for attracting limousine customers, and you will need to have a strong online presence, since most people now find limo services on the Internet. You should build a website that shows images of your vehicles, your rates and contact info. Business cards are essential, and once you have them printed, you might want to visit all of the hotels in your city or town and give your cards to the bellman or concierge. You can also look into websites such as LimoPros (limopros.com) and Limos.com--these sites can get you business almost instantly.
To save money, it would be best to do all of the driving yourself at first. When you are just starting out, you will be lucky to get one or two bookings per week. If you drive them yourself, you will be saving on the cost of paying a driver plus you get to keep the gratuity. Many limo companies across the United States add a standard 15 to 20 percent gratuity on all bookings. Remember to dress to impress when transporting customers, which means a black suit for both men and women. Presenting your company in a professional manner and following the steps above will help ensure that you run a successful limo service.
