The Limos.com Forum Has Moved!!!

Background info:
Been reading "Wheels of Gold". Have driven a 10-passenger on several runs. Want to open my own service in Elgin, Illinois. It is 45 minutes west of Chicago. Planning on starting with 1- black, 1 - white; 10 passenger lincoln towncar.

Here are my question/concerns for this post:

1. Where and how do I obtain the permit to enter O'hare/Midway airport?? I saw in a post about contacting MPEA, but not sure if that is correct.

2. I am considering going with a upscale 4 - door, SUV(not a stretch) for airport runs versus the standard towncar, is there any laws/regulations that prohibit or restrict this possiblity??

3. I want to open on April 14th of '07(my birthday). Can anyone recommend a timeline on when to start things?? i.e.: apply for business license? get business tax number? any other recommendations?

I have a rough draft of my business plan formatted like explained in "Wheels of Gold" that I am taking with me to the LCT show in Vegas next week. I plan to talk to the NLA booth for advice.

Thank you to any and all that help. If this raises more questions feel free to ask

Dan Bachi

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Fusion Limos,

1.1 5401 N. Elston Ave. Chicago, IL. Go upstairs and look for the livery/taxi sign. I think it's $175/$200 for plates and sticker?? You have to pay there.

1.2 As of now, as long as you have touched Chicago city limits with a Livery Plate, you pay the $3.50. When you apply for the tax number in Chicago (not the same as the IL tax number), they will ask you when you started doing trips and will prorate the past runs. Right now, it's on a "honor system". It's $3.50/day ONLY when you drive on Chicago soil.

1.3 do i fill out a new page for each seperate vehicle that may go to the airport?? yesthe towncar, the individual stretches i own or will own?? Don't try to go to the airport without livery plates...... Theses stretches MUST be commercial vehicles not privately owned ones.

1.4 sorry, i don't have a list and i don't know where to find one.

1.5 no questions here. makes ya happy i bet

1.6 is the $2 sticker in addition to the $3.50 a day permit?? YES and is it payed on-the-spot when the run is made?? $2.00 is paid EVERYTIME you pick someone up at the airports......It's very difficult to explain ALL airport rules, staging areas, etc. without working w/a chauffeur that can drive you around and show you.

Answer 2.
As far as the SUV i was thinking an Expidition or Denali or Escalade. not a standard SUV such as an Explorer or entry level style. my reasoning behind this idea is the more passenger/leg room/ luggage room provided. do you still disapprove of this over a towncar??? YES, I STILL DISAPPROVE. You and about 100 other people (99 plus me) had the same thoughts. It won't work!!!!

quote:

Originally posted by chicagolimo:
Here we go......

1st ANSWER
1st, you need to apply for Livery Plates @ Secretary of State on N Elston and has to be in person. They will only issue you one when you have already applied for commercial livery insurance in Illinois.

2nd, you need to file for a Chicago Tax Number with the City of Chicago which calls for paying $3.50/day of every day for every vehicle which touches Chicago (including airports).

3rd. Go to http://w20.cityofchicago.org/mpea/form/mpea.html
and enter all information. You will get an MPEA sticker on the screen, print it out and place it on the drivers side windshield of the limo (each limo needs one).

4th. Go get a safety sticker. There are numerous safety lanes in Illinois where they will verify your stretch is safe for passengers. That also will have to go on the drivers side windshield.

5th. Place the insurance sticker that your agent gives you on the passenger side of the windshield (if paying monthly, you have to replace the sticker montly).

6th. Everytime you go to O'Hare or Midway Airport, you need to fill out a slip everytime you are picking up someone and place a $2.00 sticker on it which can be bought at the staging areas for limos/taxis.

2ND ANSWER
Stay away from the standard SUV. 90% of our clients including corporate customers, HATE the fact that they're riding in a truck vs. a luxury Town Car.

3RD ANSWER
Everything in the 1ST answer can be done in one LONG day. Good luck!!!!!!!

First off, thank you for your input. Especially since i assume you are a chicago located livery. not to nit-pick your knowledge but i have more questions.

In reagards to answers:

1.1 Could you give me the exact address i am to look for? i live in the country so i am not that familiar with the city. will it cost me on that specific day to do this step at N. Elston? or am i billed later?

1.2 does the 3.50 a day start when i get this permit?? or when i actually start to take business?? am i paying even thought i might not be open for business yet due to getting other things/licenses taken care of??

1.3 do i fill out a new page for each seperate vehicle that may go to the airport?? the towncar, the individual stretches i own or will own??

1.4 can you provide me with a link or where to get the list of safety inspection facilities in illinois?? so i may find the nearest one to me??

1.5 no questions here. makes ya happy i bet

1.6 is the $2 sticker in addition to the $3.50 a day permit?? and is it payed on-the-spot when the run is made??

Answer 2.
As far as the SUV i was thinking an Expidition or Denali or Escalade. not a standard SUV such as an Explorer or entry level style. my reasoning behind this idea is the more passenger/leg room/ luggage room provided. do you still disapprove of this over a towncar???

Once again I apologize your answers in helping me caused more questions. I just want to go into this with as much knowledge as possible as to not screw myself or tarnish the industry with improper operation mistakes.



Thank you,

DRB

Here we go......

1st ANSWER
1st, you need to apply for Livery Plates @ Secretary of State on N Elston and has to be in person. They will only issue you one when you have already applied for commercial livery insurance in Illinois.

2nd, you need to file for a Chicago Tax Number with the City of Chicago which calls for paying $3.50/day of every day for every vehicle which touches Chicago (including airports).

3rd. Go to http://w20.cityofchicago.org/mpea/form/mpea.html
and enter all information. You will get an MPEA sticker on the screen, print it out and place it on the drivers side windshield of the limo (each limo needs one).

4th. Go get a safety sticker. There are numerous safety lanes in Illinois where they will verify your stretch is safe for passengers. That also will have to go on the drivers side windshield.

5th. Place the insurance sticker that your agent gives you on the passenger side of the windshield (if paying monthly, you have to replace the sticker montly).

6th. Everytime you go to O'Hare or Midway Airport, you need to fill out a slip everytime you are picking up someone and place a $2.00 sticker on it which can be bought at the staging areas for limos/taxis.

2ND ANSWER
Stay away from the standard SUV. 90% of our clients including corporate customers, HATE the fact that they're riding in a truck vs. a luxury Town Car.

3RD ANSWER
Everything in the 1ST answer can be done in one LONG day. Good luck!!!!!!!