Licensing a Vehicle

Please ensure that the vehicle to be licensed fits the specifications required by the Council’s licensing department before applying for a vehicle licence. Please refer to the vehicle specifications in 'Guidance Booklet - Vehicles' in 'Related Documents' below, or contact the licensing department for further advice.

1. Application Process - Vehicle Examinations

The fees for licensing a vehicle and the Council's hackney carriage tariff can be found in 'Related Documents' below, or you can refer to Taxi Licensing Fees.

a) 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 0845 907 2244 in the first instance and an appointment will be made for you when you have paid the appropriate licence fee (see current fees list attached). 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. A first Aid box and fire extinguisher should also be correctly placed within the vehicle (see 'Guidance Booklet - Vehicles' in 'Related Documents' below).

b) Vehicle test fees are included within the annual Licence fee. The licence includes 2 x 1hour tests to be taken at the Council Depot at Merlin Way 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.

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

2. Application Process – Required Documents

An appointment must then be made with the licensing section at Long Eaton Civic Centre to produce the correct documentation for the Licence Plate(s) to be issued. Application forms are available below in 'Related Documents' below, through the post by telephoning or writing to the Licensing Section or by collecting them in person from the reception desk at the Civic Centre, Long Eaton. Application forms should be completed by applicants in their own hand and submitted with the following documents:-

• a) Valid Certificate of Insurance.
  For public (hackney carriage) or private hire use as appropriate. Certificates must be for 12 months cover.
• b) 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.
• c) 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.
• d) Vehicle Test Sheet
  A vehicle test ‘Pass’ sheet is obtained from the Council depot at Merlin way after a successful inspection.

3. Vehicle Licence Plates

a) Plates will only be issued on receipt of the appropriate documentation. If plates are required immediately, as in the case of vehicle transfers, suitable notice must be given to the licensing department.

b) Vehicle licence plates for both Hackney Carriage and Private Hire vehicles are issued for a 12 month period unless suspended or revoked.

c) If a licence is granted to you this will be subject to conditions. Vehicle licence conditions can be found in 'Guidance Booklet - Vehicles' in ‘Related Documents’ below

To obtain a copy of 'Guidance Booklet - Vehicles', to discuss your application or to confirm that your vehicle complies with the Council's requirements please contact the licensing section using the details below:

Erewash Borough Council
Licensing Office
Civic Centre
Derby Road
Long Eaton
Derbyshire 
NG10 1HU
 
Email: licensing@erewash.gov.uk
Phone: 0115 907 1113
Fax: 0115 907 2267