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Comment by sp4rki | Hacker News Reader

California law stated that limousines must be dispatched on a private hire prearrangement basis, regardless of if the reservation is an hour before or not. The vast majority of the limousines services in the united states offer last minute dispatch services if available. This is a in all effects and excuse to stop UberCar, not a requirement.

Let's say I arrived at the airport and forgot to book my limo. You're telling me that I can't call a limo service and ask for one? And that if I do I have to wait an hour? That's not how it works nor how its stated by the law.

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OK, first, don't get all mad at me. I don't support such a law; I was just quoting my recollection of it from a previous article.

Second, I think I was remembering this quote

> Limos in U.S. cities usually have to prebook an hour in advance, by law, while only licensed taxis can pick someone up right away

which may not apply to SF. Do you have a source that there is in fact no such time-limit in SF?

Oh no sorry if it came of as if I attacking you, I wasn't, I was just making a point! :) That quote is false as almost all Limo services allow you to use their services on a last minute basis if they have available limos. To be honest, I've never been to SF, but I've been to SD and LA and have used last minute limo services (trust me its just a bit more expensive than a cab and it makes a world of difference) there. I've also done so in Florida, Atlanta, Houston, and Wichita. Also this regulation doesn't appear anywhere online, but the part that specifies what makes a limo service in contrast to a taxi service is.

They will, but are they skirting the law in doing so?

I've seen (and taken advantage of) black limos cruising the streets of San Francisco at busy times (New Year's Eve, closing time), picking up passengers taxi-style. It's presumably illegal, but the police generally have better things to do at these times than harass limo drivers.

Nope, because I've checked and the only restriction on limo services is that they can't stop for passengers (what you said is a great example of limo drivers breaking the law). Off course it wouldn't surprise me SF was the only state that has this 1 hour law, even though LA and San Diego don't.

I find it interesting because there is a record of SF not allowing limo services to top for customers, but I can't find any on the one hour restriction. Honestly I think that comment was taken out of context regarding the companies themselves having a one previous hour arrangement policy.

There are limo services advertised, and a courtesy phone that will reach them in the SFO airport right after the baggage pickup. I used one 3 weeks ago, and it took 5 minutes for my limo to arrive.

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