DBS Checks
Formerly known as CRB checks, these are the criminality checks you need for your licence, or your licensees.
Taxi and private hire drivers can be responsible for transporting any member of the public. This means the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) consider them ‘exempt’ from the normal eligibility criteria of the Enhanced DBS checks. Although they don’t ‘technically' carry out regulated activity, the risk potential means these checks are a vital part of effective safeguarding practice.
What our existing customers say about TaxiPlus
Why do I need an Enhanced DBS Check?
Under the statutory guidance from the Department for Transport, all taxi and private hire drivers are required to have an Enhanced DBS Check in place for their application. This check includes the following:
A check against the Police National Computer for any cautions, warnings, reprimands, or convictions (Spent or Unspent)
A check against the DBS’s Children’s or Adult’s Barred Lists
A check for any relevant police notes on the applicant
Only the information provided by an Enhanced DBS Check can give you the insights you need to make an appropriate licensing decision.
How long do the checks take?
On average the Enhanced DBS checks we submit take between 10-14 days. This can vary based on lots of things:
Errors – This is the most common reason for delays. It is very important to check your info.
Moving areas – This means your check is passed to more local police departments.
Police Delays – Resources can be redirected to more pressing issues like large events or riots.
About 50% of all our Enhanced submissions are completed in 48 hours. However, there is no maximum length of time for how long a check can take.
The Results
Once a DBS check is complete, drivers receive an email notification and licensing authorities are notified on their dashboard within the TaxiPlus web app. Notifications will confirm either: The certificate contains no information, or, please wait to view applicants’ certificate.
Certificates are posted to the current address on the application form by the Disclosure and Barring Service. We never receive a copy of the certificate or the disclosed information.
This can take up to ten working days to arrive in the post. When it arrives, drivers would need to follow their authority’s guidance on sharing the certificate with them.
The DBS Update Service and Status Checks
The Statutory Taxi & Private Hire Vehicle Standards, issued by the Department for Transport, states that all licensed drivers must be subject to a criminality check every six months. They encourage drivers to sign up to the DBS Update Service to allow licensing authorities to manage this.
The TaxiPlus web app has an Update Service status checking module that can be integrated seamlessly into any of our DBS checking packages. The app will notify you as and when new information is added to an individual's record, reducing admin time and freeing you up to focus on licensing decisions.
Ready to get started with TaxiPlus?
We have in-house experts ready to help you with your taxi licensing compliance needs. Contact our TaxiPlus experts today by clicking below. We look forward to hearing from you.