Knowsley Council Taxi Licensing has confirmed that its updated vehicle testing and online booking system is now fully live, following changes agreed by the Licensing Committee in July 2025.
The update was shared with licence holders via an official email from Knowsley Licensing Service and has since been passed to Driver Matty at DM News by a Knowsley-licensed driver.
According to the council, the changes are designed to align the vehicle testing calendar with new rules that allow drivers to use external Knowsley MOT testing stations, while still requiring a separate Suitability Test carried out by the council.
New Online Booking System Now Live
The council confirmed that the updated booking system went live on 28 January 2026. All existing bookings from the previous system were automatically transferred into the new calendar.
Drivers who already had bookings in place were emailed directly. In some cases, bookings were moved to more suitable dates or times. Licence holders can amend their appointment by logging into the system and selecting their booking under the “My Bookings” section.
The Vehicle Licence pages on the Knowsley Council website have also been updated to reflect the new process. Drivers are being encouraged to read the updated guidance carefully before making a booking, as these pages will continue to be updated with future changes.
Key Changes to Vehicle Testing Rules
The most significant changes relate to renewals, new vehicle applications, and how tests are booked and managed.
For renewals only, a Suitability Test is no longer required at the point of licence renewal. Drivers can now renew their vehicle licence by uploading:
- A valid MOT pass certificate
- Proof of insurance
- Proof of ownership
However, the council has made it clear that vehicles must still pass a Suitability Assessment during the lifespan of the plate. Knowsley Licensing Authority will invite drivers to attend a Suitability Test at Stretton Way at a later date. Any vehicle that fails this assessment will have its licence suspended until defects are corrected.
For new vehicle applications and change of vehicle applications, a Suitability Test remains mandatory before a licence can be issued.
Fewer Test Options, Clearer Process
Under the new system, drivers will now only see three test options when booking:
- MOT
- MOT Re-test
- Suitability Test
MOTs and MOT Re-tests are booked through the Licensing Service system, but their scheduling and availability are managed by the Fleet and Logistics Service. When a vehicle passes, it will be issued with a standard DVSA MOT certificate, the same as any other Knowsley-based MOT station.
Suitability Tests, however, remain fully controlled and scheduled by the Licensing Service.
Drivers who choose to book a full MOT test at Knowsley Council’s testing station will automatically have the Suitability Test carried out at the same time, removing the need to book two separate appointments.
Improved Availability and Booking Experience
Knowsley Council says the new booking system will now only show dates with available time slots, reducing frustration when trying to secure an appointment.
The availability of Suitability Tests has also been increased compared to previous capacity, following the full implementation of the new testing schedule.
DM News Commentary
This update will be welcomed by many Knowsley drivers, particularly the change allowing renewals to be processed without an immediate Suitability Test. For drivers who rely on their vehicle daily, removing that bottleneck should reduce downtime and stress.
That said, the council has been very clear that Suitability Tests haven’t disappeared — they’ve just been moved into the lifespan of the plate. Drivers should not assume standards have been relaxed; a failed assessment later on could still mean a suspended licence.
The expanded availability and clearer booking system should also ease long-standing frustrations around test slots, especially during busy renewal periods. As always, the key takeaway for drivers is simple: read the updated guidance carefully and keep an eye on your emails.
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