Do you need a commercial driver's license (CDL) to operate a limousine in Texas? The answer depends on the type of limousine and the company you are driving for. In the Lone Star State, drivers must possess a CDL only if the limousine is a “superelastic” model that carries 16 or more passengers. However, many limousine companies require all their drivers to have a CDL, regardless of the type of limousine they drive. In some states, you need a special permit, not a license, to drive a limousine.
If a city has mandated that limousine drivers must have a CDL, they will need to pass the CDL test. A commercial driver's license is only required in Texas if the limousine driver drives a vehicle that carries 16 or more people. Phillip Capers, chief financial officer of Wynne Transportation in Dallas, said his company requires all its drivers to have a CDL. “I think a driver should have the same level of qualifications that a commercial driver's license requires,” Capers said.
The tragic accident in New York that killed 20 people has sparked calls for improved safety measures for passengers in stretch limousines. Limousine owners like Able Temiz of Able Limousine invest heavily in their vehicles and don't let just anyone get behind the wheel. If you are looking for specific companies, the Better Business Bureau provides information on limousines and other transportation services.
