Knowsley Council’s taxi licensing department has made a welcomed and practical change for private hire and taxi drivers — easing ongoing MOT and compliance delays by allowing drivers to obtain their MOT tests from any Knowsley-based garage, rather than being restricted to the council’s own in-house system.
The change applies to drivers whose plates expire before 30th September and comes amid long-standing complaints of backlog issues and limited appointment availability through the council’s own MOT booking system.
If a suitable MOT slot isn’t available through the official system, drivers can now go to any authorised Knowsley garage to complete a standard MOT. They must then upload the certificate — along with the other required documents — when submitting their renewal application.
⚠️ The MOT certificate must be submitted within 28 days of the test date, or it will be rejected and the renewal application will be refused.
For drivers who have already booked a test through the MOT Booking system but after their plate expiry date, they’re being told not to cancel their appointment. Instead, they can still obtain an MOT from a local Knowsley garage, upload the certificate, and let the licensing team cancel the original booking and issue a refund.
This move is being welcomed by many local drivers who rely on a consistent and uninterrupted ability to work. The in-house system, while previously seen as a method of better oversight, has been plagued with complaints about efficiency and access, especially in the lead-up to plate renewals.
Allowing MOTs to be carried out at trusted Knowsley garages offers a sensible solution and helps drivers avoid costly downtime and lost earnings — something especially important in a trade already under increasing pressure from insurance costs, regulation, and the cost-of-living crisis.
Source: Knowsley Taxi Licensing
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