Limo Rentals in Scottsdale, Arizona – How to Find the Best Limo Rental Near You
When it comes to finding the perfect limo rental service in Scottsdale, Arizona – or wherever you happen to live – there are a few basics you’re going to want to know before you get started. For example, what is a limo? Most people immediately picture a stretch limo, an elongated (typically black) car that you might rent for a special event or occasion, such as a wedding or a high school prom. However, what you might not know is that the term “limousine” can actually cover a much larger array of vehicles.
In the state of Arizona, the legal definition of a limousine is a motor vehicle that provides prearranged ground transportation services, operates using a regular route (or moves between specified points), includes a pre-determined (contracted) price or fixed rate, and has a maximum capacity of 15 persons. For this reason, a limousine can actually include a number of different types of automobiles – anything from a town car to a hummer. In fact, the main distinction between a taxi and a limousine in Arizona is that a taxi does not have a regular or pre-determined/contracted route (the route is set when the passenger enters the vehicle).
So now you know what a limo is, but what makes a limo service the best? We’re going to break down the most important things you should consider when looking for a “limo service near me,” and how you can choose the best one for you in your area.
Types of Limos
We mentioned that there are multiple vehicle types that can be categorized as limos if certain factors are met (seats no more than 15 individuals, customer pays a fixed or pre-determined rate, etc.) but what exactly do these look like? Here is a brief breakdown to help you determine the type of limo vehicle you might be interested in renting.
- Stretch limousine – This is the “typical” image of a limousine that most people conjure up when the word is mentioned. Referred to “stretch” due to its considerable length (when compared to a standard car), it often includes a television screen, drink station, and interior lighting.
- Town Cars / Luxury Sedans – Similar in overall structure to a stretch limousine (often minus the length), a town car or luxury sedan is simply a larger vehicle with a compartment in the back for the passenger and a separate cab (in the front) for the driver. Between the two may be a built-in or movable divider. These vehicles can come with some of the luxuries of a stretch limo, but these are not typically standard and should be requested up front.
- Hummer / SUV limousine – Again, similar in structure to a stretch limousine, these limo types are higher off the ground with a boxier, SUV-style appearance. Generally slightly larger, these are a very spacious option and come equipped with luxuries identical to a standard stretch limousine.
- Party Bus – The largest of the limousine types, a party bus (also referred to as a limo bus) is the most distinct in appearance from its fellow vehicles on this list. Some of these party buses are large enough to accommodate up to 30 people. Often, a party bus will come stocked with a full bar and multiple television sets. Additional customizations are often available upon request.
Stats You Should Know If You’re Considering Renting a Limo
Now you know more about your vehicle options, but what are some basic statistics you should know before renting? For starters – let’s talk about cost.
The typical cost of a limousine is somewhere between $95 to $130 U.S. dollars an hour. Of course, there are a variety of factors that can change this number. Where you live, what kind of vehicle you choose, how long you are renting the vehicle, how many people can fit in the vehicle, as well as time of day and day of the week can all impact how much you pay for your limousine rental. Depending on the company you rent from, pricing may also include the cost of fuel, cleaning, and any food or beverage service provided. If you are expecting food and/or beverages to be provided, make sure you specify this in your contract. In some cases, if this is not specified, the renter may be expected to bring their own refreshments.
Keep in mind that gratuity is rarely included in the pricing of the limousine (unless specified when paying the contract), so you’ll want to make sure you bring cash to tip your driver. Standard tipping practices apply with a suggested 20% gratuity for good service.
Many rental companies will also have a time minimum of usually no less than three hours. If you’re renting the limo for a specific event, you’ll want to ensure you communicate with the rental company the exact timeframe you need the vehicle available to you. For a more casual event (such as bar hopping in style), you can select a window of time you would like to use the limousine without worrying about reaching certain destinations at certain times.
What Is Required by Law
Another key category of information you should keep in mind when vetting a limo company is legal requirements. What does the law in your state require in order for limousines to not only be operable, but for a business to rent them out to customers?
In Arizona, limousine rental companies are required to perform background checks on all chauffeurs (drivers), check drug testing records, and maintain vehicle maintenance records on all rentable limos. Ask about the company’s records and when the vehicles were most recently worked on.
By law, there should also be insurance and registration for each vehicle, and the company should be in “Good Standing” with the Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) with no outstanding penalties or issues.
Top Tips for Choosing the Best Limo Service
When it comes to determining the best limo service for you, the first step should always be to check a company’s references and reviews. A recommendation from someone you know and trust is ideal, but when that’s not possible, check online to see what other service users are saying.
In addition to reviews, look at the number of years the company has been in service as well as the number of vehicles that are in their fleet. (In this case, “fleet” refers to the number of rentable vehicles the company has available.) If a company has been around for a while and has a large fleet, chances are, they’re much more reputable and will likely have a much larger pool of past users (therefore, more reviews).
Make sure that the vehicle you are considering renting has passed inspection. In Arizona, limousines are not required to display their inspection results in the vehicle, but you have the right to ask to see this before you sign the contract. The best limousine service will be one that’s both luxurious AND safe.
And, finally – though perhaps not a tip for finding the best limo rental service, but still a good tip to know nonetheless – make sure you know the cancellation policy. This policy can differ quite widely from company to company, so it’s really key that you know what repercussions (if any) you might be facing should you need to cancel your booking. Oftentimes, companies have a window of time where you can cancel without any penalties (i.e. you can get a full refund). Make sure you know what this is before signing a rental contract.
Don’t fret about renting the perfect limousine for your event! Now you’re armed with the best tips and know-how to rent a limo in Scottsdale, Arizona – or wherever you live. It’s time to relax, enjoy, and have fun in style.