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Sunnybank Service Station - temporary closure

Sunnybank Service Station will close on Friday 29 March 2024 and reopen on Monday 8 April 2024. No vehicle compliance tests will be undertaken during this time.

Application process at Sunnybank

Before applying for a taxi vehicle licence for a private hire car or Hackney Carriage, you must:

As a vehicle owner, you must read, understand and comply with the conditions that will be attached to your vehicle licence.

New vehicle licence application and testing

Hackney Carriage and private hire vehicles owners are advised to have the following documents before applying for a vehicle licence:

  • a full V5 logbook that is held in your name and address and its front page, or
  • the new keepers part of the V5 and a full receipt that shows the buyer and seller names and addresses, vehicle details and be dated and signed by both parties
    • if you do not have the sale receipt or new keepers part of the V5 or it does not show the required buyer or seller information, we cannot process your application until you have the full V5 logbook from the DVLA
  • a full hire purchase investigation (HPI) check.

When you have these documents, you can apply and pay online for a taxi vehicle licence for your Hackney Carriage or private hire vehicle.

Applying for a new vehicle licence is relevant to:

  • anyone who wishes to get a licence for their Hackney Carriage or private hire vehicle
  • an existing vehicle licence holder who has changed their Hackney Carriage or private hire vehicle.

Vehicle licence application testing centre selection

During your online vehicle licence application, you'll be prompted to select 'Sunnybank Service Station' as your preferred testing centre. You'll be redirected to make a payment of:

  • £200 for new vehicle licence applications
  • £50 for change of vehicle applications.

New application assessment

After you've completed your online application and payment, we'll check the information and documents you've provided within five working days and:

  • if your application is successful, we'll email you and Sunnybank Service Station which will include a unique reference number to enable you to book and pay;
    • £60 for your vehicle compliance test at Sunnybank's testing centre by calling 0161 766 3807 with your unique reference number
    • and if applicable, £60 your six month interim vehicle test
  • if your vehicle does not comply with the common minimum standards and conditions, your application will be rejected.

Please note that for renewal applications, you can apply and book vehicle tests up to eight weeks before your licence expires.

If you need to cancel a test that has been booked, you should contact us at least 24 working hours before the test date, as this may cause incur additional charges.

Renew a vehicle licence application and testing

To renew a vehicle licence for your Hackney Carriage or private hire vehicle, you should:

  • apply online to renew the licence up to eight weeks before it expires
  • provide the full V5 logbook that's held in your name and address.

Vehicle licence application testing centre selection

During your online vehicle licence application, you'll be prompted to select 'Sunnybank Service Station' as your preferred testing centre. You'll be redirected to make a payment for £182, which covers the cost of the vehicle licence renewal application.

Renewal application assessment

After you've completed your online licence renewal and made payment, we'll check the information and documents you've provided within five working days and:

  • if your renewal is successful, we'll email you and Sunnybank Service Station which will include a unique reference number to enable you to book and pay;
    • £60 for your vehicle compliance test at Sunnybank's testing centre by calling 0161 766 3807 with your unique reference number
    • and if applicable, £60 for your six month interim vehicle test
  • if your vehicle does not comply with the common minimum standards and conditions, your application will be rejected.

If you need to cancel a test that has been booked, you should contact us at least 24 working hours before the test date, as this may cause incur additional charges.

Vehicle compliance test

Before attending your booked vehicle test appointment at Sunnybank Service Station, Hackney Carriage and private hire vehicle owners must read:

  • either the Hackney Carriage or private hire vehicle testing guide before attending the test appointment, and
  • the vehicle test inspection manual.

You should attend your booked vehicle test appointment on time. If you are late, you will not be seen and must contact our licensing service to make another appointment and additional charges will apply.

Vehicle compliance pass

If your vehicle passes the compliance tests, the vehicle tester will give you a copy of the compliance test. You should take your compliance test pass to Sunnybank's office where you'll be able to:

  • book a six month compliance check, if applicable
  • be issued with a compliance certificate.

Vehicle compliance fail

If your vehicle fails the compliance tests, please following our advice:

  • New vehicle:
    • the vehicle tester will give you a copy of the failure compliance test
    • you'll need to book a retest with Sunnybank Service Station within 10 working days of the previous test
    • if your vehicle cannot be repaired and retested within 10 working days, please contact our licensing services to book and pay for a new compliance test.
  • Vehicle renewal:
    • the vehicle tester will give you a copy of the failure compliance test
    • as your vehicle is licensed, we'll issue a suspension notice to you
    • you'll need to book a retest with Sunnybank Service Station within 10 working days
    • if your vehicle cannot be repaired and retested within 10 working days, in this time you will need to contact the licensing service to book and pay for a new compliance test.

Sunnybank Service Station FAQs

Vehicle licence and plates collection

Before collection of your licence and plates, you must email proof of your Hackney Carriage or private hire insurance certificate to us licensing@bury.gov.uk.

Once your private hire or Hackney Carriage vehicle has passed the compliance tests and your vehicle licence has been approved, your licence and licence plates will be available to collect the next working day.

We will contact you with an appointment time for you to collect your licence and plates from us at Town Hall Reception, Knowsley Street, Bury, BL9 0SW. At your appointment, you will be given:

  • your Hackney Carriage or private hire vehicle licence
  • one large rear plate
  • Three window stickers for all passenger windows
  • one for vehicle Identification sign
  • for new vehicle licences, you’ll also receive;
    • one large plate holder
    • two door stickers (if Private Hire Vehicle)
    • two window wallets, one for operator signage (if private hire)
    • badge holder.