Most Frequently Asked Questions About Limo Service in San Diego, California

Certain events in life call for a limousine. Weddings, birthdays, proms, and special work events may require a professional transportation company to get you and your passengers around safely and in style. If you are booking a limousine for other transportation for the first time, you probably have a few questions about booking a limo service in San Diego, California. Here are a few of the most common questions and answers.

1. What type of vehicle should I order?

Limo services are not limited to stretch limousines. Every occasion calls for a unique type of transportation. The type of vehicle that is right for you depends on a few factors, including how far you need to go, what the occasion is, how much luggage you might have, whether you will need to be picked up multiple times throughout the night, and how many people are in the party.

Keep your party’s budget in mind as well when choosing the type of vehicle, as some vehicles are more expensive to operate, and therefore will cost more to the passengers. Some vehicles you will typically find at a San Diego limo service are:

  • Vans
  • Charter buses
  • Minibusses
  • Party buses
  • Luxury sedans, e.g. Cadillacs and Towncars
  • Stretch limousines

You can usually check the limo company’s website to see a list of its offerings, and be sure to speak with a representative from the company to ensure that you know all the features of the car that you are booking. Ask the representative about the vehicles’ capacity and cost. The service should be able to recommend a vehicle based on your needs.

2. Is renting a limousine expensive?

Of course, there is no set rate for a limousine, so any amount provided here would be an estimation. Limo service websites should be able to tell you the hourly rate of the service, plus any fees and taxes that may apply. Depending on what type of vehicle you reserve and how long you need the vehicle for, your bill can become relatively expensive, so be sure you know what you are signing on for and how much you are willing to spend. Contact a customer service representative at limousine services to ask about rates so you can compare the various limo services in San Diego, CA. Depending on the type of vehicle, a limo service could range from $70 to $200 per hour. Make sure that you find out about any additional fees, and always factor in the cost of tipping your driver.

3. Should I tip my limo driver?

Yes, it is generally appropriate to tip the limousine driver. Limousine and passenger van drivers are professionals, so like any other service professional, it is customary to tip after your ride. Like restaurant staff, limo drivers should usually be tipped 20% of the total of the bill before tax, but if the driver’s service was outstanding, it is always appreciated to give a higher tip. Some services may include a tip in the bill, so be sure to ask the company when booking if the tip is included or if you should provide it separately.

4. How long do I need to reserve the limo for?

Many transportation services have a minimum booking requirement. This time is commonly two hours. For example, if you are hiring a limo for a bachelorette party, where you expect to be driven to a destination and picked up, it is probably a good idea to check what the minimum booking length is, as you do not want to pay for hours that you do not actually need. However, if you are simply using a transportation service to get a group to the airport, then this will probably not have a minimum booking length. You would simply pay based on the distance to the destination. This is something to ask the company when deciding where to book.

5. How do I know which service to trust?

There are a lot of car rental and limousine services out there, and not all of them are reliable. Here are some tips to make sure you are getting a top-quality service when you book your trip.

One of the easiest methods to determine that a company is reliable is to get a recommendation from someone you know. Friends, family, and professional colleagues have probably booked a vehicle in the past, so ask around to see if anyone can vouch for a particular company. If your employer uses a particular service for professional events, they are probably trustworthy and may offer additional services, such as for special occasions like weddings or proms.

Online reviews can also tell you a lot about a limousine service. The companies’ websites will generally offer testimonials from past customers, but you can also use a third-party review site like Yelp to hear objective reviews from customers. Look for reviews that provide five-star ratings and speak to the pricing, reliability, and friendliness of the company and its staff. Keep in mind also that every company is going to have a handful of negative reviews, so read the reviews from unhappy customers, so use your discretion to determine how helpful the review is.

Finally, contact the service yourself, either online or by phone. You can generally tell if the company is professional, organized, and reliable based on the quality of its website, the friendliness of the staff, and how smoothly the booking process goes.

6. Do limo drivers have to have a special license?

According to the California Department of Motor Vehicles, drivers of vehicles that carry fewer than ten passengers do not require a special license. Therefore, limos that seat under ten people can be driven by chauffeurs with a regular license. Vehicles with more than ten passengers, like vans or shuttles, must be operated by someone with a commercial driver’s license, which requires a separate test.

California also has special requirements for businesses that operate as “Charter-Party Carriers” (TCP) to obtain a license through the state. This license helps ensure that the carriers have appropriate insurance, their vehicles are being regularly inspected by the state, and the company is complying with all safety regulations. Be sure that any limo service you contract with has their TCP license and are legally operating in California.

7. Are limo services operating during COVID-19?

As the population is getting vaccinated against COVID-19, it is generally becoming safer for vaccinated people to gather together. However, most limousine services are adhering to CDC health and safety guidelines. Currently, the CDC is recommending that limousine drivers wear face masks, avoid close contact with passengers, avoid using the recirculated air option, and disinfect the surfaces regularly. Ask your limo service about the steps they are taking to keep their passengers safe from COVID.

Still Looking for a Limo Service? Contact Us

Booking a limousine service is a pretty big commitment, so you want to make sure that you get it right. Take into account the needs of your passengers – how many are there? How far are you going? Will you be consuming food or alcohol during the ride? What is your budget? Start by answering these questions, and shop around for services that can check off all your boxes. If you still have questions about how to book a limo service in San Diego, CA, contact us for more information.

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