Taxi licensing

On 2nd April 2024, Sefton Council successfully implemented a new Taxi Licensing computer system. This new system now allows all taxi drivers, vehicle owners and operators to upload various evidence documents as well as pay for all licensing fees via an online portal.

The implementation of the new system will however mean some short-term changes to normal service delivery timescales, and we are encouraging all Taxi Licensing customers to submit their application and evidence, well in advance of the date that they are expecting to be licensed from.  

The e-mail taxiapplication@sefton.gov.uk that was previously used to submit all types of Taxi Licensing applications and supporting evidence is now permanently closed and is no longer monitored.

To access the new system, you will need to have an e-mail address and be able to make payments for licences and other fees on-line. If you are invited into Bootle One Stop Shop you will need to be able to access your e-mails and make on-line payments when you are on site.

How to sign up to the new system 

You can use this link to access the new system. 

Our first priority will be to ensure that all current Sefton licence holders continue to be licensed in a timely manner. We encourage all customers to read the letters that they receive very carefully as these have recently been changed. When accessing the new system, please follow the scripts and answer all questions that are marked as mandatory. It is vitally important that you only upload documents that are specifically requested, submitting incorrect or unnecessary documents may delay how quickly we deal with your application.

Online support will be provided at Bootle One Stop Shop should it be needed. Please remember to bring in all the required evidence with you, however you may experience long waiting times to receive support.   

We also request that you do not visit our One Stop Shops to check on progress or enquire when we will be dealing with your application as this will only delay how quickly new driver applications will be processed.

New Driver Applications

The process for applying for a new driver licence is detailed below.

Sefton Council will undertake an assessment of whether an applicant is ‘fit and proper’ to hold a licence with reference to a number of checks. The list below isn’t exhaustive.

DVLA Check – We check an applicant’s entitlement to drive and their driving history by use of an on-line code generated by the applicant.

All cautions, convictions and pending matters must be disclosed, any omission may lead to a licence being refused. Please see our convictions policy within our Licensing Handbook.

Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) Check – Sefton Council only accept Enhanced Certificates that have access to the Vulnerable Adults Barred List and Vulnerable Child Barred List. It is a condition of licence that all drivers subscribe and maintain subscription to the DBS Update Service.

If you don’t currently have a valid certificate and subscription you can apply via TaxiPlus.

You will need to provide your certificate and we will consider any convictions in line with our published Convictions Policy and any disqualification period(s).

National Register Check (NR3) – We will consult the National Register of Refusals and Revocations to determine whether you have had a licence revoked or refused by another authority.

Right To Licence Check– A check will be made on every applicants right to live and work in the UK. This can be evidenced by a document check or by obtaining an electronic check code.

Conditionality Check – This check evidences that an applicant is registered and has declared licensing income to HMRC in particular circumstances as follows. If you are applying for the same type of licence you have previously held with any licensing authority that ceased to be valid less than a year ago or applying for the same type of licence you already hold with another licensing authority.

Medical Check – Sefton Council require a satisfactory full vocational  (DVLA Group II) Medical examination obtained via applicants own G.P.; a G.P at another practice or any GMC registered doctor provided they have access to the applicants full medical records. A medical is required on first licensing, on reaching 45 years of age, 55 years of age, 65 years of age and every three years thereafter. Medical certificates are only valid if less than four months old at submission.

Knowledge Test – A Knowledge Test pass is required before licensing. The test is based on the Licensing Handbook and a score of at least 7 out of 10 is required. Applicants whose last licence has expired by less than two years do not need to re-take the knowledge test.

The Mitigation Process – Sefton Council will take all relevant circumstances into account when making Licensing decisions. If any of the checks above identify issues that could lead to a refusal it will allow an opportunity for the applicant to submit further information upon such matters and circumstances surrounding them. The applicant may also present character references.

If you can satisfy the checks above it is now time to submit your application and supporting evidences via our online portal.

New Driver Applications (Timescales)

Contact has now been made with all drivers who submitted their email application during the period 1^st August 2023 to 1^st April 2024, confirming what needs to be done next. We have also contacted all drivers who submitted their application directly through the new portal during the period 2nd April 2024 and 10^th April 2024.

The e-mail that you receive from Sefton will be from a no-reply, unmonitored mailbox and it will clearly detail what you need to do and direct you to our new Taxi Licensing portal. All future communication regarding your new driver application must be done through the portal and we must stress that we will not respond to any e-mails outside of the portal and contact by phone will not be an option.

For New Driver Applications that were received from 11^th April 2024 onwards, we have yet to review your application, but once we do, we will contact you via e-mail.   

This page is regularly updated in order to keep you up to date with timescales as and when they change – we appreciate your patience.  

Driver Licensing (Renewals) 

All renewal letters will be posted out to drivers confirming the date that their licence expires.

You will be required to submit your renewal application via our online portal. A how to guide will be sent with your renewal letter detailing how to do this.

Tax regulations in force since April 2022

Since 4th April 2022, it has been necessary to complete a tax check to renew a taxi, private hire, taxi operator or scrap metal licence, or to apply for the same type of licence with a different licensing authority.

We cannot process your application without your tax check code. You can complete this by visiting the gov.uk website.

Vehicle Licensing Process

• When your licence is due present your vehicle to a testing station to be tested in the normal way.
• You will then need to submit your application using our online portal.
• Register your details within the portal then complete the online application form ensuring all relevant documents/evidences are uploaded.
• All applications will receive a confirmation email when the licence application has been received.
• You will be sent a payment link through the online portal once your plate is ready to be processed and you will need to make payment for the plate by debit card before it is produced.
• Owners of vehicles renewing should retain the old plates on the licensed vehicle and drivers should keep the confirmation email from the OSS, available at all times the vehicle is working, as evidence that the vehicle has a current and valid licence.
• Owners of new vehicle licence applications should wait until the plates are received and affixed to the vehicle before commencing any work.
• The plates will be posted or be available for collection from Bootle One Stop Shop.
• If you are applying for a Vehicle Change and your existing licence has a prefix PV9999, for example, please visit Bootle One Stop Shop with your original documents and you will be supported through the process. You will be required to have access to an e-mail account and the facility to pay on-line.
• If you are applying for a Vehicle Change and your existing licence starts with the prefix V8888, for example, you should access your portal account and apply for a Vehicle Replacement by clicking on the original licence and then clicking Replacement Vehicle

You can use this link to download the licensing handbook. 

Operator Licensing

Any operator wanting to renew their licence (or any application for a new licence) should submit an application via our online portal.

Frequently Asked Questions

Attendance at the One Stop Shop

Please note that attendance at Bootle One Stop Shop is strictly by appointment only, except for ‘Driver Renewals’. Anyone attending without an appointment, other than Driver Renewals will not be seen. Any person becoming abusive or aggressive to staff within the OSS will likely be refused a licence.

Please also note that if you are waiting to arrange an appointment for a New Driver Application then a member of the OSS will contact you via your online portal once an application has been submitted and is being processed.

Once received we will check all documentation and start the process. We will correspond with you by e-mail within your portal with the next steps in the application process.