Governor Cuomo Proposes Ban On Stretched Limos in New York State

What will you do for weddings? What are you going to do next time you go on a wine tour?

Andrew Cuomo wants to pass a bill that will ban manufactured limousines AKA stretch limos in New York State.

The proposal is a response to the tragic crash in October of a modified SUV stretch limousine that didn't stop at stop sign and killed 20 people. According to Cuomo's office here are the proposed changes.

• Make it a felony for any owner/operator to tamper with a Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard tag or vehicle inspection sticker, or remove an "out of service" sticker placed by a DOT inspector from a vehicle without having the vehicle re-inspected and cleared by DOT to return to service;
• Create new criminal penalties for any DMV-regulated inspection station that illegally issues an inspection sticker;
• Require mandatory reporting by inspection stations to DMV if a vehicle attempts an unauthorized inspection;
• Increase the civil penalty to a maximum fine of $25,000 per violation for any person found operating with suspended DOT "operating authority" or operating a vehicle without such authority;
• Require drivers to hold a Commercial driver license with a special passenger endorsement to operate a for-hire vehicle with eight or more passengers;
• Prohibit U-turns for larger vehicles on all roads within the state;
• Establish stronger registration suspension and vehicle impoundment powers, including "an explicit process for immediate suspension of operating authority by the DOT Commissioner in circumstances that endanger the health, safety, and welfare of the public";
• Subject multiple violators to the potential for civil forfeiture of vehicle;
• Eliminate the exception to seatbelt requirements for limousines, buses, taxis, liveries, and school buses;
• Establish a DOT inspection fee of $120 per inspection for vehicles subject to such inspection;
• Make explicit the authorization of DOT and DMV to seize suspended license plates.