Seatbelt Requirements (S.6191C/A.9057)
This legislation provides that motor vehicles converted into
stretch limousines on or after January 1, 2021 have at least 2 safety belts for
the front seat and at least one safety belt in the rear for each passenger the
vehicle was designed to hold, as well as requiring all stretch limousines to be
retrofitted to include seatbelts by January 1, 2023.
New Commercial Driver's License Requirements for Limousine
Drivers (S.6192A/A.8474A)
This legislation requires individuals operating limousines
carrying 9 or more passengers, including the driver, to have a passenger
endorsed commercial driver's license.
Immobilization and Impoundment of Defective Limousines
(S.6193C/A.9056)
This legislation allows the Commissioner of Transportation
to impound or immobilize stretch limousines in certain situations and provides
that an impounded motor vehicle will not be released unless the Commissioner
provides written notice that the vehicle has passed re-inspection. Any release
of a vehicle without approval by the Commissioner will be punishable by a fine
of up to $10,000.
Increased Penalties for Illegal U-Turns (S.6188B/A.8172B)
Violations will be subject to a $250 to $400 fine and/or up
to 15 days imprisonment. Second violations in eighteen months will be subject
to a $600 to $750 fine and/or up to 45 days imprisonment. Violations involving
a stretch limousine making an illegal U-turn while carrying at least one
passenger would be subject to a $750 to $1,000 fine and/or up to 180 days
imprisonment.
GPS Requirements for Limousines (S.6187C/A. 9058)
This legislation requires stretch limousines to use GPS
technology designed specifically for commercial vehicles upon the creation of
federal standards.
New Customer Service Resources (S. 6185B/A.8214B)
This legislation requires the Commissioners of
Transportation and Motor Vehicles to establish, maintain, monitor and publicize
a telephone hotline operated and maintained by the Department of Motor Vehicles
used to report safety issues with stretch limousines and safe limo website
maintained by the Department of Transportation. The DOT and DMV may investigate
the reports generated by the hotline and use verified information from those
reports in their enforcement actions.
Driver's License Validation (S.6604B/A.9059)
This legislation requires that every motor carrier furnish
the Department of Motor Vehicles a list of each altered motor vehicle designed
to carry 9 or more passengers and requires that the Commissioner of Motor
Vehicles annually review the bus driver files of each driver employed by a
motor vehicle carrier who operates a stretch limousine, along with publishing
various safety metrics. DMV must annually update its website to provide information
on motor carriers operating stretch limousines and data on limousine operations
and drivers.
Creation of Passenger Task Force (S.6189C/A.1316C)
This legislation establishes the stretch limousine passenger
safety task force to conduct a comprehensive review of matters influencing the
safety, adequacy, efficiency and reliability of stretch limousine
transportation.
Drug and Alcohol Testing (S.6186B/A.712A)
This legislation will require that large for-hire vehicle
drivers and motor carriers be subject to pre-employment and random drug and
alcohol testing.
Seatbelt Use in Taxi and Livery Vehicles (S.7134/A.8990)
This legislation expands seatbelt use requirements in
for-hire vehicles.
