The Limos.com Forum Has Moved!!!

Thanks for all the responses till now. Here is one more. Where the hell do we park when we are in the city?

I will be for the Capital DC. I have used a limo a few times but is there any places to park. Or whats the understanding and rights we have with the traffic law.

Can I really just turn my blinkers on and sit somewhere parked for an hour. Or better yet can my vehicle just stop outside a busy street at a club to casually unload the client while the street behind is getting backed up and then leave.

Is that cool or is it time I get a ticket??

Parking is always an issue it appears in all countries, when in London, we always park at the aptly named :

and its free for how ever long

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Originally posted by J Paul White:

quote:

Originally posted by LimoNewbie:
If you are waiting for your clients while in the concert/b-ball game, a good spot to wait would be behind the architectural museum after hours in their parking lot, when you get hungry, there is a burger king right around the corner, and sometimes, when lucky, right in front of the museum next to the meters, and in direct view of burger king (to keep an eye on your limo). Better be hungry for a whopper on concert night. lol

Constitution Hall is another spot thats normally open during nights. Where is this architectural museum though? I know theres a Burger King on K street

Diagonally across from burger king, the parking lot behind that building. I was actually told to move by Secret Service one evening, and I asked where would be a good place to park, and he told me there. It's big enough for quite a few limo's.

One other thing: If you happen to park in a lot that you are unsure if it's ok to do so and you have to leave your vehicle for any reason. Leave a note on your dash with your number. That has saved me probly 3 tows over the years.

"At burger king getting a whopper, call me if you need this vehicle moved 212-555-1234"

quote:

Originally posted by LimoNewbie:
If you are waiting for your clients while in the concert/b-ball game, a good spot to wait would be behind the architectural museum after hours in their parking lot, when you get hungry, there is a burger king right around the corner, and sometimes, when lucky, right in front of the museum next to the meters, and in direct view of burger king (to keep an eye on your limo). Better be hungry for a whopper on concert night. lol

Constitution Hall is another spot thats normally open during nights. Where is this architectural museum though? I know theres a Burger King on K street

If you are waiting for your clients while in the concert/b-ball game, a good spot to wait would be behind the architectural museum after hours in their parking lot, when you get hungry, there is a burger king right around the corner, and sometimes, when lucky, right in front of the museum next to the meters, and in direct view of burger king (to keep an eye on your limo). Better be hungry for a whopper on concert night. lol

Ankur, I work DC everyday, and MPDC (DC Police) just do not have time to mess with limos, they have real crime to deal with. The WMATC is another issue, and if they catch you running without proper licensing (read- their permit) they will have you towed. The good news is that usually only come out of the office around prom time.

If you have an accident, be sure to have all you licensing and insurance paperwork in the car, not at the office, as Transit Commission regulations specifically requite that.

Of course you don't want to cause a major traffic blockage, but don't worry about standing on a curb with your flashers, or without as SteveW said, that is just what I do and I have never been asked to move by the police. I only flip on the flashers to let the drunks (or cabs, they are just as bad) know I’m there for a bit of extra safety.

The meter maids are another story; they ticket EVERYONE. If you are blocking 2 meters, pay them both, and always read the meter itself as to the hours it has to be paid. The signs are often different, (typical DC government) but the meter is what the meter maids go by.

Anyway, you can usually find a space within a few blocks of anyplace in DC to hold-up while your group parties. If it is an issue, you will likely just be asked to move the car. Do so if asked and you shouldn't have any problems.

One warning, many Federal buildings that see a lot of toursit traffic do not permit the loading and unloading of CMVs out front, the National Aquarium, FBI Building leap to mind, so you usually have to pull past, or across the street from those places; just watch for the signs.

> Where the hell do we park when we are in the city?
Quick answer: anywhere we can.

> I have used a limo a few times but is there any places to park.
> Or whats the understanding and rights we have with the traffic law.
First off we have no rights, get that out of your head, we are not special just because we have longer than usual vehicles. We are expected to abide by the same traffic laws as everyone else.

I don't know about your area but here in LA the understanding limos have with the parking patrol is we always park illegally (red zones, no stopping zones, loading zones, in front of driveways) but we move when they come around (we go around the block). In other words we don't embarrass them while they are doing their job. But that's not to say sometimes they just don't drive by jot your plate and send ya a ticket anyway. The police in cruisers really don't care about parking issues as they have bigger issues to deal with. As long as traffic is flowing they could usually care less where we park. But your only answer to parking patrol or police if they ask you to move is "OK yes sir/Mame". Most police and parking folks know we don't have many options for parking so they will just tell you to move. As long as they see you with the vehicle they know even if your parked next to a fire hydrant if a fire breaks out you will be there to move the vehicle. Does not hurt to offer them a cold drink from the ice bin when you see them out on a hot day either, build some good will for limos.

> Can I really just turn my blinkers on and
> sit somewhere parked for an hour.
NO need to turn your blinkers on. If your in a place that is safe but illegal just park there and keep a look out for the parking enforcement. Sometimes we don't have a choice of parking and just pick the best out of the way place you can. I usually just try to park across business driveway openings that are closed for the evening. Or even blocking a homes driveway is fine as long as you are able to move your limo when they get home. Meaning you cant ever leave your vehicle ever unless you have a legal parking space. From watching the show "parking wars" I hear the meter folks say all the time "you know what people turning their hazards on says to us? Come give me a ticket!" LOL


> Or better yet can my vehicle just stop outside a
> busy street at a club to casually unload the client
> while the street behind is getting backed up and then leave.
It is rare we have to do this but this is sometimes a reality. Key is not to do it casually. If the cars behind you see you strolling around and BSing with the customers they will get on their horns. If you tell your customers before hand "OK I am blocking traffic so lets make this exit quick" then you move quickly with a sense of urgency and they do to, most drivers will patiently wait for you to unload and move. What you as a professional chauffeur should know is where you are dropping your clients and know spaces or side streets you can drop them out of the way of traffic. We can't always drop right in front and knowing the venue you can come up with places where a safe, non traffic blocking drop can be done. Sometimes the opposite side of the street is better so they will have to use a cross walk. The more people you have in the vehicle the more important it is to find a safe out of traffic place to drop. If you just got one couple you can usually just block a lane for 30 seconds.

> Is that cool or is it time I get a ticket??
Well it's a given your gonna get a ticket eventually. It's just a cost of doing business in the big cities. Just take it like a man and say thank you to the person giving it to you, no sense getting angry over it. In 10+ years of driving the only place I have gotten a parking ticket is at the airport. Came close many times on the streets of Hollywood but a nice demeanor goes a long way with a person (parking enforcement officers) who has been getting screamed at all day long.

But also keep in mind our vehicles were cited as possible terrorist vehicles capable of carrying bombs. So parking in front of any government building may get you a little more attention than usual say down here in LA. You just have any more government buildings where you are.