Do Taxi Drivers Need DBS Checks?
If you’re looking to become a taxi driver there are some obvious things you need – a driving license, a car, and a willingness to drive people around all day or evening.
You also need to have held a driving license for a minimum of one year. If you want to drive a taxi in London, you’ll need to have held a license for three years and also pass an exam known as “The Knowledge”.
One way to get a head start to becoming a taxi driver is to get a college qualification such as Level 2 certificates like ‘Introduction to the Role of Professional Taxi and Private Van Hire’ and ‘Road Passenger Vehicle Driving’.
Once you have met the qualification criteria you can apply to get a taxi driver license.
But that’s not all. If you want to get behind the driver’s seat of a taxi and carry fee-paying passengers, you’ll need to pass a criminal background check too.
Why do taxi drivers need a DBS check?
The Police Act 1997 Criminal Records regulation was amended in 2012 to mandate that taxi and private hire vehicle drivers must get an Enhanced DBS Check.
The main reason to impose this regulation was to help improve passenger safety by making sure that violent or sex offenders are flagged up and unable to get a taxi license. Before this amendment was added, an Enhanced DBS Check was only mandatory if the driver in question was involved in frequently transporting vulnerable adults or children.
How do you apply for a DBS check?
There are two main ways to apply for a DBS check – either by post or online.
Applying by post involves filling in a paper form and posting it to the DBS.
Applying online, a service which is available on this site, involves completing an online application form and submitting it digitally.
The first thing you need to do is get all your ID documents ready to accompany your application. The documents you need are as follows:
- One item of government-issued ID – e.g. passport, birth certificate, or passport
- Two additional documents, with one including a proof of address such as a P45, P60, utility bill, or bank statement.
You may also need to apply for a barred list check alongside the Enhanced DBS Check. This is true if you are regularly driving children or vulnerable adults, such as a school minibus driver or care home driver. If in doubt, check the DBS website and look for ‘regulated activities’.
Driving your career forwards
To become a taxi driver, you need to get an Enhanced DBS Check and if you’re going to regularly be driving around children or vulnerable adults, you’ll need a barred list check too.
If you need any more information on how to get a DBS check to accelerate your taxi driving career, then get in touch today.
