Vehicle Testing
The Council’s Taxi Test must be equivalent to or better than an MOT test. The current taxi test incorporates a VOSA approved MOT test, which must be carried out at the same time as the remaining assessments specific to the Council’s Taxi Test. The vehicle will also be subject to a road test.
The Taxi Test must be conducted in its entirety at a Council approved garage.
Each licensed vehicle must be tested every 6 months, irrespective of age of the vehicle.
A Taxi Test will only be accepted;
- On renewal, where the vehicle test has been conducted not more than 28 Days prior to the expiry of the Current Vehicle licence and;
- In the case of an application for the grant of a HC / PH vehicle licence the vehicle inspection and Test shall not have been conducted more than 7 Days Prior to the date the application was made. In any case the vehicle shall have satisfactorily completed the Taxi test.
A vehicle can be presented for the Taxi Test for a Vehicle Licence Renewal up to 28 days before the expiry of the licence date. The existing licence expiry date will still be honoured and in all cases the taxi test date will be the same date as the expiry of the licence. The cut-off point for receipt of an application to renew a taxi vehicle licence will be at close of business before the licence expires.
Where a vehicle fails the taxi test the proprietor will have the option to keep the vehicle at the test centre and arrange repair on the premises or remove the vehicle to an alternate location for the necessary repairs. However, at this point should the vehicle be removed from the Testing Station the vehicle will be subject to suspension and the Licence plate will be marked accordingly, until the vehicle is re-tested and passes the Taxi Test. The testing station will be responsible for notifying Licensing Enforcement where the failed vehicle is to be removed from their site for repairs.