WEDDING IN BRITTANY, 5 TIPS FOR A LUXURY CAR RENTAL WITH DRIVER

End-of-life vehicle, last minute cancellation, immobilization, police check, sick driver… Using a self-employed or “pseudo-professional” driver does not guarantee you a trouble-free wedding transport. A specialized transport company offers you a wide choice of possibilities, and ensures you a high quality service, with specific insurance and guarantees of availability (several drivers, several replacement vehicles, …).

You can’t do everything and anything regarding renting a car with driver for a wedding! Or at least not with just anyone… The regulations concerning the rental of a car with driver for a wedding have evolved and you can no longer call on anyone to drive the car with driver of the bride and groom… Here are some important tips.

As an alternative to renting a car with a driver for a wedding, we often think of a family member or a friend who has kindly offered to be the driver for a day. Rest assured, you can always call on a family member or friend who owns the car of your dreams. Calling on a family member or friends to drive the bride and groom is not regulated, and fortunately! As long as the benefit is not paid… Think, however, that the person who will drive you may not enjoy this wonderful moment with you and his loved ones.

A Citroen Traction? An American limousine? A Muscle Car? You can find the car of your dreams on the internet: a classic car, a convertible or a luxury car. It is mainly on this kind of website that you have to be extremely careful. These platforms specialized in renting a car with driver for a wedding, connect future married men like you, and owners (rarely professionals, 1st problem) of original cars (2nd problem), often prized for weddings. But beware, you can’t call on anyone to drive even their own vehicle. These sites specializing in renting a car with driver for a wedding do not control all the legal obligations of the owners.

SO YOU’RE TAKING GREAT RISKS! Here’s why.

Renting a car with a driver for a wedding has been regulated for many years, so your driver will have to:

• hold a professional card of “Transport Vehicle with Driver” (private driver) issued by the Prefecture following a criminal record check, successful completion of a specific examination, and a periodic medical examination. This card certifies that your driver is a professional who has received specific training in the professional driver’s profession, recognized, organized and controlled by the Ministry in charge of transport and the Chamber of Trades and Crafts.
• be in possession of a Transport Licence. This license certifies that your driver is in good standing, and that his vehicle is reported to the Ministry of Transport. This license is materialized by a round and red badge for a passenger car under 6 years old, or a square and green badge for vintage vehicles over 30 years old. Between 6 and 30 years of age, no vehicle is allowed in the activity of Private driver.

Attention : a vehicle with a registration card called “collection” can not be used in the context of a professional activity, regardless of the age of the vehicle.

• hold a specific “professional civil liability” insurance contract. This insurance covers you in case of accident and/or injuries, even minor (fall on the descent of the vehicle, blow in case of emergency braking, …). In the event of a more serious accident (rare if it is a professional) no insurance will cover the costs incurred (care, hospital, disability, etc.). Baggage carried may be insured in the event of an incident.

The vehicle used must:

• Wear 2 stickers specifying the required mentions: These stickers are glued inside the windshield in the lower left corner, and at the lower right corner of the rear window. These vignettes are printed by the national printing press and are unfalsifiable. They indicate the driver’s licence number and vehicle registration number.
• have a classic registration card, not “collection”: the so-called “collection” registration cards are reserved for private use. These vehicles cannot be used for commercial purposes.
• pass an annual technical inspection: a conventional technical inspection will have to be carried out, the technical inspection of vintage vehicles being reserved for vehicles with a “collection” registration card (which are prohibited for commercial use therefore).

1- FOR THE DRIVER

If the driver does not comply with these obligations, he is therefore considered a clandestine worker (or clandestine taxi), not covered by insurance. In case of control (more and more controls are carried out by the DREAL because of this resurgence of amateur drivers) your driver risks : a large fine (up to 15,000 €), a prison sentence, the immediate confiscation of the vehicle.

2- FOR THE BRIDE AND GROOM

After a simple road check (between 15 and 45 minutes), by using a concealed worker and /or a driver who does not hold a Professional Card, and/or a vehicle not declared to the Ministry of Transport, and/or without specific insurance, you risk:

• a fine (up to €45,000 in criminal proceedings) and a prison sentence (Article L8224-1 of the Labour Code).
• bear the financial consequences of an accident (Article L471-1 of the Social Security Code). The victim (your driver usually found on the internet therefore) could ask you for compensation for the damage suffered, or even the payment of a lifetime pension if he remained disabled.
• an URSSAF adjustment for concealed work (Article L 243-7-7 of the Social Security Code).
• no guarantee, no insurance. Indeed, if the door of this wonderful vehicle damages or partially destroys the bride’s dress for example, a driver who is not in good standing leaves you without recourse.

Put all the chances on your side to make this day enjoyable:

• Call on a professional: Compliance with regulations and transport safety is ensured by any wedding car rental professional. Call on a local company of preference, solid and recognized: promote the local economy, rent your car with driver with the know-how and experience of an experienced company and guarantee a high quality service.
• request a quote: the quote sets out the terms of the service ordered: the details of the luxury car rental service to be carried out (the program), what the provider must provide you with (make and model of the vehicle, the options offered, champagne, the floral decoration of the vehicle according to a theme defined or not) and sets the price of the service to be performed (with 10% VAT!).
• ask to see photos of services already performed: this will allow you to realize the rendering of the car rental service with driver that offers the provider “in action”, or what your photos could look like with this car.
• ask to see the vehicle before D-Day: in case of doubt about the color, model, or interior space of the model you are looking for, nothing better than going on site to see for yourself.
• read reviews on the web: Facebook, TripAdvisor, Google Business page, etc. Take a look at the opinions left by people who have actually experienced this provider, at the heart of the event. Tip: Average ratings displayed can sometimes be skewed by fake accounts or dishonest competitors, don’t just rely on the general rating, read the comments.

Don’t forget that your wedding will be one of the most beautiful moments of your life! Don’t waste it for a few “details”!