Apply for a vehicle licence

Once we have checked your application and we have contacted you to confirm this, you will then be able to book a compliance test for the vehicle. Tests will be conducted on all vehicles at the council-approved testing station at Hardshaw Brook Depot, Parr Street, St Helens, WA9 1JR.

Please be aware that if you book a compliance test for a new vehicle before we have processed your application, the compliance test will be cancelled without notice.

Rescheduling or cancelling a compliance test

To cancel a booking, you will need to email us a minimum of 7 days before the test is due to take place. Failure to do so will result in the loss of your fees.

To reschedule a booking to another date (not cancel), you will need to email us a minimum of 24 hours before the test is due to take place. Failure to do so will result in the loss of your fees.

What if my vehicle fails its compliance test?

If your vehicle fails a compliance test, a retest will be required within 10 working days of the initial test, otherwise another full test will then be required. In cases where a vehicle is submitted for testing with serious defects, the licence (if applicable) may be suspended with immediate effect until such a time as the defects are corrected. This will incur a full compliance test.

Unable to login to your account to book a compliance test?

If you are unable to access your account or require a password reset, you will need to contact St Helens Borough Council's Contact Centre. You will need to explain that you have an account for the council's online services and describe the issue you're having with accessing your account.

Compliance test inspection manual

You can view the current compliance test inspection manual (PDF) [1MB] (opens new window) , which was approved by the Licensing & Environmental Protection Committee in May 2008.