Buying a vehicle

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Marmion House, Lichfield Street, Tamworth, Staffordshire B79 7BZ Phone: 01827 709709 enquiries@tamworth.gov.uk

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Buying a vehicle

New Applications Vehicles must be 4 years old or under

Certain vehicles are unsuitable to be used as licensed vehicles. The Authority has criteria that all vehicles have to meet.

If you are in doubt as to the suitability of a potential purchase please contact the Licensing Office prior to the purchase to avoid unnecessary expense.

Under the Disability Discrimination Act 1995, newly licensed Hackney Carriages and eventually all Hackney Carriages must be wheelchair accessible. Applicants and proprietors should seriously consider the impact this legislation will have when purchasing new or second hand vehicles. Current license holders should consider the implications for their existing vehicles if they are not already disability friendly.

Licenses are issued to many different types of vehicle, and each have set criteria.

Saloon Cars and MPV’s

We will normally refuse to license your vehicle, or take action in relation to your existing license if:

The vehicle is over 4 years old at the time of licensing
Any vehicle of the Eurocab style/design is not Black in colour.

The vehicle has less than 4 opening doors and is left hand drive.
The vehicle is untidy or unclean.
Any retractable windows do not operate correctly.
The vehicle does not have a suitable first aid kit/fire extinguisher.
The vehicle does not have a valid vehicle excise license.
The vehicle is of such design and appearance as to lead any person to believe that the vehicle is a hackney carriage.
Any payments are dishonoured.

Minibuses

We will normally refuse your application for a license, or take action in relation to your existing license if, in addition to the saloon car criteria:

New Applications if vehicle is over 4 years of age at time of licensing

It is fitted with side facing seats.
The vehicle does not have fully functioning seatbelts or tracking.
The seating arrangement in the vehicle is changed from the configuration in place when submitted for the initial test, without prior approval.
Doors are unable to be opened from the inside of the vehicle.
There is no clear access both in and out of the vehicle, without folding or climbing over a seat.
Doorsteps are not secure and not in working order.
The vehicle does not have a side loading door, unless specifically designed and constructed to makers original specification.
If a van derived minibus does not have an SVA Certificate of Conversion.
There is only rear loading access for passengers.