Licensing a Vehicle

To begin the application you must make an appointment for a vehicle inspection at the Merlin Way depot. You must contact the Call Centre on 0115 907 2244 in the first instance and an appointment will be made for you when you have paid the appropriate licence fee. Alternatively you can make an appointment for a vehicle inspection through reception at the Civic Centre, Long Eaton. The vehicle will not be accepted for testing unless you can produce a receipt for your licence fee.

The vehicle should be fully prepared in advance for the examination and the top-sign and taximeter, if applicable, should be fixed in the proper manner. 

Vehicle test fees are included within the annual Licence fee. The licence fee includes 1 x 1 hour test to be taken at the Council Depot at Merlin Way every year if the vehicle is less than 5 years old, or in the case of vehicles over 5 years of age, 2 x 1 hour tests to be taken every six months. If the vehicle fails an inspection then a retest fee is payable – this fee is dependent on the length of the retest which can be 1 hour or 30 minutes. This time is determined by the depot and not the licensing section.

The Council are now offering discounts for ''low emission'' vehicles. In order to promote the use of cleaner/greener fuels and engines the Council will offer a discount on the annual licensing fee for vehicle applications based on CO2 emissions..  To qualify for the discount vehicles are required to have CO2 emissions below 100g/km. This information can be found on the vehicle V5 logbook.

After the vehicle has passed the inspection at Merlin Way a vehicle test ‘Pass’ sheet will be issued to the applicant.

Application forms can be downloaded, sent through the post or handed in person to receptions at both Town Halls. Application forms should be submitted with the following documents: :

• Valid Certificate of Insurance.  For public (hackney carriage) or private hire use as appropriate. Certificates must be for 12 months cover.
• Vehicle Registration Document. If the vehicle has been recently purchased and the registration document is at Swansea, the applicant must provide proof of ownership, i.e. receipted bill of sale, giving full details of the vehicle (including model, engine capacity, colour, chassis and engine numbers) and produce the registration document as soon as received to the licensing section.
• MOT Certificate.  Hackney Carriages applications require an MOT certificate after the first year of date of registration. Private Hire applications require an MOT certificate after the third year of date of registration.
• Vehicle Test Sheet. A vehicle test ‘Pass’ sheet is obtained from the Council depot at Merlin way after a successful inspection.

• Plates will only be issued on receipt of the appropriate documentation. If plates are required immediately, as in the case of a change of vehicle, suitable notice must be given to the licensing department.
• Vehicle licence plates for both Hackney Carriage and Private Hire vehicles are issued for a 12 month period unless suspended or revoked.
• If a licence is granted to you this will be subject to conditions.

Follow the procedure as at vehicle examinations. The charge for the test is covered by your annual licence fee so no additional fee is required.

When you have obtained an appointment for your six or four monthly vehicle test please ensure you take with you a valid certificate of insurance and a valid MOT certificate (if applicable).

If your vehicle passes the inspection the above documents will be copied, along with the vehicle inspection 'Pass sheet', and sent to the licensing department. You will NOT be required to make a further appointment with the licensing section. Failure to take the above documents with you to the depot will mean you will have to produce the documents to the licensing section at Long Eaton.  Please ensure the Mechanic is aware that you have your documents for scanning, loose documents left in the vehicle may not be checked.