Prom night lasts a few hours, but people talk about the arrivals for weeks. Who turned up in what. Who stepped out of a stretch limo, who glided in on the back seat of a vintage Rolls-Royce, and who arrived in something nobody saw coming. The car is a big part of the night, so it's worth getting right.
The good news is that booking a prom car isn't complicated. You need to start earlier than you think, ask the right questions and know exactly what you're paying for. This guide covers all three.
When should you book a prom car?
Sooner than you'd expect. Most UK proms take place in late June and early July, and they bunch up on the same handful of Friday nights. Dozens of schools in one area can pick the same date, so the most popular cars get snapped up first.
As a rough timeline:
- September to December: the keenest groups book now, especially for limos and supercars.
- January to March: the sweet spot. You'll still have plenty of choice.
- April and May: choice narrows fast, and the popular cars on peak dates are often gone.
- June: still possible, but you'll be choosing from what's left.
Before you start looking, confirm the date, the venue and every pickup address. A supplier can't hold a car for you without them.
Decide who's coming
It sounds obvious. It's also where most of the back-and-forth happens.
The size of your group decides which cars are on the table. A classic or sports car will usually take two passengers, occasionally three. An executive car seats three or four in comfort. Stretch limousines tend to carry around eight, and if your whole friendship group wants to arrive together, a party bus or a larger vehicle could be the answer. Have a look through limousines, classic and vintage cars and buses and coaches to get a feel for what's out there.
Agree the group before you book and get everyone to commit. Changing numbers later can mean changing cars, and that isn't always possible in June.
Setting a budget (and splitting it fairly)
Prom car prices vary a lot. The vehicle, your area, the date and how long you need the car all play a part, so a classic car doing a single drop-off will cost far less than a stretch limo collecting from five different houses.
Splitting the cost is where bigger vehicles come into their own. A limo shared by eight friends can work out cheaper per person than a two-seater supercar shared by two. Compare the price per head, not just the total.
A few tips for groups:
- Choose one person to deal with the supplier. Messages get lost otherwise.
- Collect everyone's share before you pay the deposit.
- Agree, in writing, what happens if someone drops out.
- Check exactly what the price includes: pickups, waiting time and the journey home.
Questions to ask before you pay a deposit
A good supplier will happily answer every one of these. If they dodge any of them, look elsewhere.
- Is the vehicle licensed for private hire, and which council issued the licence?
- Is the driver licensed, and have they passed a DBS check?
- How many pickup addresses are included?
- How long do we have the car, and what does extra time cost?
- Is the return journey included, or is it a one-way drop-off?
- What's your alcohol policy? (For a prom booking, the answer should be "none".)
- What happens if the car breaks down on the night?
- How much is the deposit, when is the balance due, and what are the cancellation terms?
Get the answers in writing. An email is fine.
A quick word for parents on licensing
Most people don't know this bit. In England and Wales, some wedding cars run under an exemption that lets them work without a private hire licence. That exemption covers weddings and funerals. It doesn't cover proms.
Any car taking teenagers to a prom for payment needs to be properly licensed. Vehicles carrying up to eight passengers need a private hire licence from the local council (or from Transport for London in the capital), and the driver needs their own licence, which includes a criminal record check. Anything carrying nine or more passengers, including the larger stretch limos and party buses, needs a PSV operator licence instead. Ask to see the paperwork. A legitimate operator won't mind at all, and an unlicensed vehicle may not be properly insured, which is the last thing you want on the way to a school event.
On the night
Plan the pickups with the driver in advance, and build in more time than you think you'll need. Getting ready always runs late, and parents will want photos on the drive.
A few things that help:
- Send the supplier a timed plan for each pickup a week before the prom.
- Check whether the venue has arrival slots or a set drop-off point.
- Save the driver's mobile number, and give it to at least one parent.
- Sort out the journey home now, not at 11pm.
Then enjoy it. You've done the planning, and the arrival is the fun part.
Your prom car checklist
- Prom date, venue and finish time confirmed
- Group agreed, with everyone's share collected
- Vehicle chosen to fit the group
- Vehicle and driver licensing confirmed
- Pickups, timings and the return journey agreed in writing
- Deposit paid and the balance date in the diary
Ready to start? Browse prom car hire on Event Car Hire, find cars near you on the locations page, or check prices and availability for your date. The earlier you look, the more you'll have to choose from.
