By Mollie Halpern
Investigative Reporter
Published: April 10, 2008

Prom season is here and along with the dresses and tuxes, some high schoolers like to ride in style hiring limos for the big dance.
We’ve checked and found that some limousine companies make sure minors celebrate safely with what’s called “the prom pledge”.
It’s an agreement between the company, parents, and teens that no alcohol, drugs or tobacco, will be allowed inside the limo.
Patrick Helvey of Executive Town Car and Limousine Service, Inc. says: “We have policies in place no backpacks are allowed inside the vehicle and if anyone is caught trying to sneak alcohol in or becomes intoxicated away from the vehicle they’re not allowed back in.”
But, protecting your child goes beyond the prom pledge.
In this ten on your side investigation, reporter Mollie Halpern has found at least one limo business in our area that isn’t licensed by the state and that *could* put your children at risk.
One by one, 10 on your side checked advertising limousine companies against the department of motor vehicles website to see if they were legally licensed.
A D-M-V license ensures the company is properly, insured, and that the chauffeur’s are trained and have clean driving records.
After all of our checking, we discovered that e.m. limo was not on dmv’s website.
So we called the company several times, to find out why.
But, owner Ernest Hubbard, refused to answer my questions.
Mollie says: “I don’t see your business on the dmv website as being ah, having a license and registration, so i wanted to know if you do hello? It’s a very simple question, yes or no, do you have a license or not? So i can verify that you have your license so that when kids get a limo from you, that they’re not putting themselves in danger?  hello?...he hung up.”
We went to the business to ask again—this time in person.
Turned out, it was Hubbard’s house in Lynchburg.
But, he wasn’t home.
Mollie checked to see if hubbard has a business license in lynchburg—and he does.
But, when we alerted D-M-V that E.M. Limo is not on its website, a spokesperson confirmed that DMV has no record of hubbard or his company.
In an e-mail, a spokesperson told 10 on your side that,
“We checked and found no motor carrier account for mr. hubbard....no broker’s license...shouldn’t be advertising or operating.”
In other words, em limo, is running illegally.
According to the virginia code, unless otherwise exempted, no person shall engage in the business of a contract passenger carrier by motor vehicle...unless such person has secured from the department a certificate of public convenience and necessity authorizing such business.
And, if companies run limo’s, they must get a broker’s license.
Elizabeth Harrington, who owns a limo service in Lynchburgh, says Hubbard once approached her about doing business together.
But, she passed after learning he didn’t have the required license..

So I pretty much filed him away. You didn’t want to do business with someone like that? No
There are several steps the virginia department of motor vehicles suggests taking before you hire a limo service.
That way, you can make sure your children are safe on prom night—and any time a limo service is used.
Make sure the company holds a valid virginia license.
Also, ask to see proof of insurance.
And, make sure the vehicle has a current inspection sticke and a “for hire” plate.
Don’t be afraid to ask questions, because your safety and money are at stake.
If you should find a company that is not dmv approved, report it.
As a result of our investigation, d-m-v tells 10 on your side, that it will contact hubbard and look into why he doesn’t have a license.