Vehicle documentation guidance

Part of: Documentation guidance for licensing

Contents

Imported vehicles 

We need a voluntary basic IVA certificate to licence the vehicle as a private hire vehicle. To licence an imported vehicle it needs to have either an: 

  • IVA/SVA marker on the front cover of the V5
  • IVA certificate 

If the V5 does not show this, you must obtain a basic IVA certificate, even if the vehicle is more than 10 years old.

Find a testing station

Approved garages

The approved garages will carry out:

  • compliance tests
  • exceptional condition tests
  • window tint tests
  • accident damage checks

Find an approved garage

Peter Ramsey Auto Services Ltd 

Stretford Motorway Estate, Barton Dock Road, Trafford Park M32 0ZH

Kar Automotive Services 

S3 Buffalo Court, Kansas Avenue, Salford M50 2QL 

Compliance Certificate 

We have a statutory duty to ensure that all private hire and hackney carriage vehicles that we license undergo regular mechanical and bodywork compliance checks to ensure their suitability. 

A taxi compliance test must be completed every 6 months. Your vehicle must go to an approved provider for inspection:

Tint test 

We have a policy on the level of window tint we will permit on our licensed vehicles. All newly presented vehicles must undergo and pass a window tint test. Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Licensing Policy.

Exceptional condition (age) test

This applies to current licensed vehicles. We have a policy on the maximum ages of hackney carriage/private hire vehicles when they are licensed:

  • 6 years  for Private Hire Vehicles 
  • 15 years for Hackney carriage Vehicles 

These maximum age limits are subject to the vehicle being in exceptional condition. This condition needs to be confirmed by one of our approved garages, 

The approved garage will inspect a vehicle and issue an exceptional condition certificate where applicable.

HPI check

An HPI check is a comprehensive vehicle history report that reveals critical information about a vehicle's past, including if the vehicle has been classed as an insurance write off.

Bill of sale 

A bill of sale or sales receipt from the garage/dealer/auction OR for private sales a letter must be provided from the previous owner giving their name, address, all vehicle details, new owner details and address and signed and dated by both parties.

LOLER Certificate

 A LOLER Certificate confirms that lifting equipment in wheelchair accessible vehicles has been inspected and deemed safe for use. It is in accordance with the Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998.

Further information