National vehicle licensing system
The operation of a vehicle as a taxi, wheelchair accessible taxi, hackney, wheelchair accessible hackney or limousine requires that the vehicle is licensed as an SPSV. It is an offence to operate with an expired licence.
The Commission for Taxi Regulation became the licensing authority for small public service vehicles (SPSVs) in October 2005*. In January 2010 this service transferred to a new network of 37 regional centres operated by SGS Ireland on behalf of the Commission. The key changes are:
- A simplified renewal process
- An appointment-led service including set times, with appointments for licensing services guaranteed
- Dedicated inspectors who are expert in all aspects of vehicle licensing rules and processes
- Vehicles being operated as SPSVs must pass a Licence Renewal Assessment every year on renewal
- The NCT roadworthiness test must be carried out separately to the SPSV licensing process and booked through the existing NCTS test centre network
- New vehicles no longer require an NCT certificate. “New” means less than 3 months old AND less than 3000km travelled.
- It will be mandatory for wheelchair accessible licence holders to register their details as part of licensing
A list of SGS licensing centres and their nearest NCT centres can be downloaded here.
To book your licence renewal or change-of-vehicle appointment please call our booking line on 1890 927 977.
For more information on specific vehicle licensing transactions please see the licensing your vehicle section of our website of call 1890 347 347.
*Taxi Regulation Act 2003 (Fees and Licensing) Regulations 2005( S.I. No. 651 of 2005)