Link to department of transport web site 

As of the 28th January 2008 every Limousine / Mini cab etc applying for private hire must be Licensed either by their Local Council or VOSA.

 As you can see we have displayed our operator licence numbers on our front page for you to check should you wish to do so if a Company tells you they are licensed don't be afraid to ask for proof, if they are running legally they won’t mind at all.

 Do not run the risk of ruining your night out by hiring an un-licensed Vehicle. 

As an un-licensed vehicle would not be subject to a very extensive and regular safety check i.e. the equivalent of a MOT test every 6 weeks for a limoBus  operated under a VOSA "O" license, and every 6 months for a standard car or Limo licensed by a Local Council as a Private Hire Vehicle, also the drivers would not of had any CRB checks.

Another point to remember if an un-licensed vehicle is stopped by the authorities the vehicle may be issued with a prohibition notice deeming it to be illegal and therefor not to be driven on a public highway this being the case your hire could be terminated and your party left to find their own way home. (After all it’s only about your safety)