We need to know the date of your first test when you apply for a licence, so book it before you submit your application. For a new vehicle, you should submit your application five working days before your test, or sooner.

Contact the garage on 01223 458266 to book the test. Appointments are available from 6.30am to 5.30pm, Monday to Friday.

You will need to provide the vehicle’s registration number, make and model.

When you have booked the first vehicle test, send the following to us by email:

• a completed taxi vehicle licence application form [PDF, 0.2MB] – for a new vehicle, all proprietors must complete the form
• the date of your first vehicle test
• a completed joint proprietor continuation form [PDF, 0.1MB], if applicable
• a completed additional information form [PDF, 0.1MB], if required
• a copy of a valid insurance certificate for the appropriate use – for vehicles that have previously been licensed, this must cover the start date of the licence

If you are applying to license a new vehicle, you must also send us:

• the vehicle’s V5 or new keeper's slip
• the bill of sale
• the vehicle’s CCTV installation certificate
• proof of your identification
• a copy of the hire-purchase or finance agreement, if applicable
• the Vehicle Type Approval Certificate for converted wheelchair-accessible, new vehicles, if applicable. This can be either:
  • European Community Whole Vehicle (M1) Type Approval
  • M1 Low Volume Type Approval
  • National Small Series Type Approval
  • Individual Vehicle Approval

All named proprietors must sign an application for a new vehicle licence. When renewing a licence, only one proprietor needs to sign – you will declare that you are signing with the knowledge and consent of all other named proprietors.

When we approve a new vehicle application, we will confirm what fees you must pay.

We will issue the vehicle licence in the names of all proprietors but will only send it to the lead proprietor.

Tests take place at our garage on the Dickerson Industrial Estate on Ely Road in Waterbeach.

Your vehicle must comply with the standards set out in appendix G of the taxi licensing handbook.

When your vehicle passes the test, the garage will give you a Certificate of Compliance. They will send a copy to us. The certificate will be valid for six months minus one day, from the date of the test.

You must pay the test fee to the garage. You must book a second test to take place before the Certificate of Compliance expires.

If you do not attend the appointment or cancel less than 24 hours before it is due to start, you might be charged the test fee.

Your vehicle must be clean inside and out. Dirty vehicles will not be examined and you will still have to pay the test fee.

Failed tests

If your vehicle fails the test, the garage will give you a failure sheet listing the non-compliant areas that must be addressed.

Book a retest to take place after the repairs. This must happen within 10 days of the initial test, or you will need to book a full test instead of a retest.

You must not use the vehicle without a valid Certificate of Compliance. If you fail a test, we will suspend your taxi vehicle licence and remove your licence plates until you have a valid certificate.

We will arrange for your vehicle details to be added to the bus lane register, which also includes Mill Road restrictions. Note that taxis cannot use the bus gate on Station Road. Instead, turn left onto Tenison Road, then right onto Great Northern Road, then take the second exit to access the pickup and drop off point.

New licences

If you are applying for a new licence, you must collect it in person. We will contact you to arrange an appointment. You must bring photo identification to the meeting.

This will happen within five working days of us receiving the Certificate of Compliance from the garage. It can take longer if your application did not include all the necessary documents.

At the meeting, you must return the vehicle plates from your previous licensed vehicle, if you have one.

Renewed licences

If you are applying to renew your licence, we will send your new licence and plate to you by post.

We will send it by second class post, so if you submit a late or incomplete application, it might not arrive before your current licence expires. If this happens, you must not drive your vehicle until you have your new licence and plate.

Display of licence plates

For Hackney Carriage Vehicles, the licence plate must be securely fixed to the external rear of the vehicle.

For Private Hire Vehicles, the Licence plates must be securely fixed to the external front and rear of the vehicle.

In both cases, the plates should be fixed securely in such a position so they are in a conspicuous position and easily visible by an authorised officer of the council or a police officer. Fixing kits will be provided for this purpose.

You must have your vehicle tested before your current Certificate of Compliance expires.

You should have booked your second test at the time of your first test. Contact the garage if you want to cancel or rearrange a test.

When your vehicle passes the test, the garage will give you a Certificate of Compliance. They will send a copy to us. The certificate will be valid until the expiry date on your vehicle licence.

If your vehicle fails the test, the process is the same as if you failed the first test.

Send us:

• a completed change of vehicle licence owner form [PDF, 0.2MB]
• an additional proprietor information form [PDF, 0.1MB], if required
• current vehicle licence
• bill of sale
• V5 certificate or new keeper slip
• valid insurance certificate (provided by the new proprietor)
• any lease or hire purchase agreements
• receipt, showing fee paid

All proprietors, both current and new, must send us the following documents. For security and to help us identify you, send them from the email address we currently have on record for you. Send us a copy of:

• your passport or driver’s licence, or other identification with both a photograph and your signature
• one of the following proofs of address from within the last three months, unless stated otherwise:
  • a mortgage statement issued in the last 12 months
  • a bank or building society account or credit card statement
  • a letter confirming the opening of your current bank or building society account
  • a financial statement for a pension or similar issued in the last 12 months
  • a P45 or P60 statement issued in the last 12 months
  • a Council Tax bill issued in the last 12 months
  • a utility bill
  • a benefit statement
  • a document from central or local government

We will send the amended licence to the lead proprietor by email.