Private Hire and Hackney Carriage vehicle test

For renewal vehicles, from 1 September 2025, you will receive your plate and windscreen disc before your vehicle test date. This will be sent direct from our supplier, MOGO, via 24 hour tracked delivery. You will have already received your Bradford Council door decal.

The plate, windscreen disc and door decal will need to be fitted to your vehicle when you receive them, they must be displayed at your vehicle inspection.

Once you receive your test confirmation, your vehicle plates will be ordered within the next few days, and your vehicle licence will be emailed to you so you can continue working.

Please note: The plates, windscreen discs and door decals will be posted directly to the address registered on the vehicle application.

For new vehicles, you will continue to receive your plate, windscreen disc and Bradford Council door decals at the garage once your vehicle has passed inspection. Your vehicle licence will be sent to you via email within 24 hours of your vehicle passing the inspection.

Please note: As plates and fittings are now ordered externally, insurance must be submitted at least three working days before your test. Otherwise, plates may be delayed and sent to your home address.

At the vehicle safety test

• Please ensure that you bring your driver I.D. badge along with you to the test.
• For renewal vehicles, the plate must be fixed to the rear of the vehicle and the windscreen disc displayed. The Bradford Council decals need to be on the driver and passenger front doors before the test. You must also display your operator sticker on the rear doors of your vehicle.
• If you have booked in a new vehicle, your vehicle must display your chosen operator sticker on the rear doors.
• You will need to either have a spare tyre or a means of inflation and a warning triangle.

Please note: For renewal vehicles, upon receiving your new plate in the post, please ensure that your old plate and windscreen disc are disposed of responsibly.

What if I am unable to attend?

If you are unable to attend, please email [email protected] with your full name, registration number and the reason for the cancellation at least 3 working days before the test (working days are Monday to Friday). Failure to provide 3 working day’s notice will result in a charge of £33 for the wasted test.

For new vehicles, you will also be charged a fee of £19 for a new plate.

I work for more than one operator, what decals do I need to display at my inspection?

Your decals must match the operator on your badge, if you have more than one operator on your badge, you must display your ‘main’ operator with permanent, tamper-proof decals. The magnetic decals can only be used to cover up the permanent stickers when you are working for your second operator. You must never have more than 1 operator displayed.

What if my vehicle fails?

We will provide a vehicle failure sheet which provides an explanation and whether there is any re-test fee to pay.

For renewal vehicles, if the vehicle fails, your vehicle licence will be suspended until the vehicle is re-tested and passes within 10 days. Once the vehicle passes, your vehicle inspector will provide you with your inspection pass sheet, your licence will be un-suspended, and you will be sent your vehicle licence by email.

For new vehicles, if the vehicle fails, the vehicle will need to be re-tested and pass within 10 days of inspection. Once the vehicle passes, your vehicle inspector will provide you with your inspection pass sheet, along with your plate, windscreen disc and Bradford Council door decals.

If your vehicle does not pass within 10 days you will need to email us at [email protected] to arrange for another test.

I can’t find my badge. Can I still attend my test?

You will need to present your badge at the start of your vehicle inspection. If you have lost your badge, please submit a request for a replacement badge using this link. Please ensure your replacement badge is with you on the day of your test.

Vehicle test guidelines

• Be punctual for your appointment, you must arrive 5 minutes before your inspection time. Failure to arrive on time will result in your vehicle not being tested and a wasted test fee will be payable.
• Park your vehicle in the designated parking bays.
• Please remove any valuables from your car.
• After parking, follow the floor markings which will direct you to the workshop office. Take a seat in the wating area while your vehicle is awaiting test.
• Once your test is complete, you will be provided with an inspection pass/fail sheet, and the mechanics will answer any questions you may have.

Health and safety

• You must not drive your vehicle into the workshop, please park in the designated bays.
• Do not bring children to the workshop.

How do I apply my new Bradford Council door decals?

Please follow the instructions in the link below for a step-by-step guide on how to apply your door stickers, which also includes a helpful YouTube video.

How to apply your private hire vehicle door decals.