Booking a vehicle test
Before completing a vehicle renewal, you must either -
- Pass a DVSA MOT at the Council’s DVSA approved MOT testing station (located on Stretton Way, Huyton, L36 6JF).
- Or obtain a DVSA MOT externally from one of the many garages based within the Knowsley borough.
If you choose to externally obtain the MOT, it must be dated within 28 days of your application.
The full DVSA MOT test provided by Knowsley Council will cover all current DVSA vehicle test items plus the additional licensing compliance requirements.
Please ensure you have fully considered these options and their requirements when you book a test. You will be required to pay the relevant fee by card. You will always be charged for missed appointments. Expenses incurred in submitting a vehicle for a test where the vehicle is found unfit will not be refunded under any circumstances.
You will receive a booking email confirmation which will include a unique application reference number. Please check your email junk folder.
Additional information to be aware of -
As of 29/01/2026 we do not require a suitability test to be conducted at the time of the licence renewal, for the renewal application to be processed and the plate to be issued.
However, we do still require the vehicle to pass a suitability assessment as part of its licence conditions. Knowsley Licensing Authority will instead invite you to attend a suitability test at Stretton Way during the lifespan of your vehicle plate.
For any applications submitted before 29/01
- if your suitability test is after the date your current vehicle plate expires, we will contact you by email to issue your plate. You should still attend your existing suitability test and do not cancel the booking.
- if your suitability test is before the date your current vehicle plate expires, no changes are required. You should still attend your suitability test and we will process your application as normal.