Getting the best limousine service can sometimes be a frustrating process. With so many limo companies around promising 'bells and whistles', doing some groundwork to ensure all goes smoothly can take a bit of a backseat. For a great limo experience there a few steps you can take to help ensure everything goes smoothly.

First and foremost you need to work out exactly what will be required before heading out to hunt for the best limo service. A good itinerary from the off will make things simpler down the line so give some thought to things like, how many people your expecting, how long the limo hire will be needed for, where your journey begins, ends, and stop-offs in between. The occasion will also be a factor in choosing the right limo. Is it a wedding, a night out, a corporate event? If the limo operator understands the event they can recommend an appropriate limousine.

Once you've got your requirements down on paper you can start looking into limo companies and checking out what they've got in terms of fleet and service, and whether they're going to be able to meet your requirements. If you know anyone who has hired a limo recently it may be worth asking which operator they went with and how they found the service. Also, don't be scared to ask the operator if they are able to provide references. Generating a short-list will make the next stage, the quotation process, a lot less taxing.

Now, we know what we need, who can provide it, and have a list of preferred candidates. We can start talking numbers and getting quotes for the big occasion. Obviously the longer the stretch the more your going to be paying but its imperative you make sure everything you needs included. For example, ensure the interiors going to cater for your guests in terms of comfort, beverages, lighting, entertainment etc. Bouncing quotes between competitors normally positions you well for a good value deal, but again make sure you clarify exactly what your getting for you money, and that comprise in price doesn't result in comprise of service.

Time to check out the stretch limousine itself. First thing here to ask - is the vehicle street legal? There's been a lot of press lately on illegal limousines so check that it meets with the correct regulations. Getting in touch with your department of transport and asking for hire advice is a good start. Verify the exact make, model, and year of the limousine so you don't get any nasty surprises on the day. Most hire companies only operate limos that are two or three years old so don't settle for anything much older than that.

Doing your research and knowing exactly what your requirements are is a must when setting out to choose a limo service. Knowing the good from the bad will pay dividends, as will clarifying exactly what you're getting for your money. Following some simple steps early on will not only help to ensure your limousine experience goes as smoothly was possible but also takes some of the stress away allowing you to enjoy the experience.