Apply for a vehicle licence

The public must be safe and comfortable while travelling in a licensed vehicle, so only vehicles that meet all of our licensing conditions and comply with our compliance test standards will be licensed.

Please contact us for general advice before purchasing any new vehicle to ensure it meets our standards of eligibility.

Step 1: Complete your online vehicle application form 

To licence a new vehicle or replace an existing vehicle, you will need to complete either:

• The online hackney carriage vehicle application form (hackney carriages are limited to 63 with no current availability), or
• The online private hire vehicle application form

When submitting your application, you must also provide the following supporting documentation: 

• Documentation which proves that you own the vehicle:
  • Logbook in your current address (this must be provided if you have it) 
  • Bill of sale
  • 'New keeper's slip' from the logbook
• Proof of road tax (either a receipt from the DVLA or Post Office). 
• Certificate of motor insurance
• Standard DBS certificate (no older than 1 calendar month) for each applicant that does not hold a valid hackney carriage/ private hire drivers licence with us. If the applicant is a company or a partnership, a standard DBS certificate (no older than 1 calendar month) must be provided for each partner or director.

Please ensure that you check your application and supporting documents before you submit it, as any incorrect submissions will result in the application being rejected and a new application will then have to be submitted.

Please note that if your vehicle is brand new off the production line, meaning no more than 1 year old from the date of first registration stated on the logbook, then a compliance test will not be required for the first 12 months. Following the first 12 months normal testing procedures will apply.

Step 2: Take your vehicle for an MOT at a VOSA approved MOT station located within the St Helens borough.

Once your application has been approved, you will need to book an MOT test with a VOSA approved MOT station that is situated within the borough of St Helens. You may also book an MOT at Hardshaw Brook Depot. 

Your MOT certificate can be no older than 28 days at the point we come to issue your vehicle licence. 

Note: We will be unable to accept an MOT certificate from an MOT station which is situated outside of the borough of St Helens. 

Step 3: After your vehicle has passed its MOT test

Please email your MOT certificate to us along with the following documentation (if you have not already done so):

• A valid certificate of motor insurance
• Proof of current road tax (either a receipt from the DVLA or Post Office) 

If you are licensing a hackney carriage vehicle you will need to provide us the following documentation in addition to the above:

• Evidence that your meter has been calibrated to St Helens rates. 
• Evidence that your meter has been sealed.
• The make of the meter installed in your vehicle. 

Upon receipt of the required documentation you will be contacted to pay the application fee for the vehicle.

Step 4: Bring your vehicle to St Helens Town Hall for a compliance inspection at your allocated appointment date and time.

After you have paid for your application you will be emailed a date and time in which you must bring your vehicle to St Helens Town Hall so it can undergo a compliance inspection. You must ensure that you attend your appointment promptly as we will be unable to conduct the inspection if you are late. 

Note: only a St Helens licensed driver may bring the vehicle for the compliance inspection.

Some of the areas that the compliance test will cover are (but not limited to):

• Cleanliness of the vehicle
• Condition of the bodywork and paintwork
• All relevant stickers are present (no smoking stickers, complaints stickers, wheelchair stickers (in the case of a hackney carriage), and wheelchair information stickers (in the case of a hackney carriage)
• Condition of the vehicles seats.
• Vehicle plates are displayed in the correct locations and are displayed using the council issued bracket.

If your vehicle passes the compliance inspection you will issued with your new plates which must be affixed to your vehicle before you leave the inspection area, and your old plates must be returned to the officer conducting your inspection at the same time. Your licences and conditions will be emailed to you and you will also be provided with a copy of the inspection sheet for your records.

Step 5: If your vehicle fails the compliance inspection (if applicable)

If your vehicle fails its compliance inspection you will be required to remove your vehicle from the inspection area and arrange for the failure items to be rectified. You will be issued with a copy of the inspection sheet for your records. 

Once you have rectified the issues found on the compliance inspection you must email us to book your vehicle in for a re-inspection of the items that failed on the previous inspection.