Pre-application essentials for a vehicle licence

Essential pre-application information, including proof of ownership, evidence of MOT, certificate of insurance.

Vehicle log book

You must prove you are the registered owner of any vehicle you are attempting to licence. This can be done by providing:

  • a V5C certificate (vehicle log book)
  • the new keeper slip if you have recently purchased a vehicle

If you have recently purchased a vehicle, we will need to see the V5C certificate as soon as you have received it from the DVLA.

Visit GOV.UK if you need to get a vehicle log book (V5C)

MOT

You will need to present a valid MOT if your:

  • taxi (hackney carriage) vehicle is older than 1 year
  • private hire vehicle is older than 3 years

You will then have to submit evidence of your MOT on a yearly basis thereafter.

You can download a copy of your current and previous MOT certificates on GOV.UK

Certificate of insurance

Your certificate of insurance must clearly show that:

  • the vehicle is insured to be used as a taxi
  • you are fully insured
  • no exclusions apply to the policy which prevents is use

For whole fleet policies, we must be satisfied that your policy covers all vehicles and/or driver.

Contact us

If you have any questions, contact the Taxi Licensing Team.

Email: taxis1@cumberland.gov.uk

Telephone: 0300 373 3730