Screening Checks for Driver Recruitment
Many organisations need drivers, everything from supermarkets who need delivery drivers to care facilities that need drivers to transport patients or residents.
When recruiting new drivers, employers need to be careful and make sure that the people they take on are suitable for the role.
Pre-employment screening checks are vital tools to help recruit the best possible people for driving roles.
When people think of pre-screening checks, they automatically think of DBS Checks. However, DBS Checks may not be needed for every driving role and the level needed depends on the actual specifics of the job.
In this guide, we will look at some different driving roles and the type of screening check that is suitable for each one.
What Is A Regulated Activity?
Some drivers are engaged in something known as a ‘regulated activity’, which is a role defined by the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) that requires an Enhanced DBS Check with barred list check.
A regulated activity is defined as a role that involves direct and unsupervised contact with children or vulnerable adults on a frequent basis. For more details on what a regulated activity is, look at the guidance for roles related to children and related to vulnerable adults.
Drivers that work with adults that are considered to be vulnerable due to illness, age, or disability, to and from a location that provides personal care, healthcare, or social care, are considered to be engaged in a regulated activity.
A driver that is employed to transport children, regardless of illness or disability, is considered to be taking part in a regulated activity, making them eligible for an Enhanced DBS Check.
DBS Checks for Taxi Drivers
The legislation in the UK requires that all drivers of taxis and private hire vehicles get an Enhanced DBS Check with a check of both the children’s and adult’s barred lists. The legislation was passed in 2012 in order to reassure taxi passengers that safety checks are in place.
To become a taxi driver, an individual must first get a taxi driver licence. These are available from local council offices, but in order to qualify for one, you must first get a DBS Check carried out.
When filling out the DBS Check application form, the organisation applying for the DBS Check should select “other workforce”, unless the contract involves only transporting children, such as a school bus driver or only involves transporting vulnerable adults, such as a care home worker. In these cases, the recruitment organisation should select “child workforce” or “adult workforce” respectively.
Basic DBS Checks for Drivers
There are some drivers that don’t need to get a DBS Check. A prime example of this is delivery drivers. They don’t qualify for an Enhanced DBS Check, as the work they do isn’t classed as a regulated activity.
However, any individual aged 16 years or more can get a Basic DBS Check done. It’s a great way to convince employers and passengers that you’re the right person for the job.
DVLA Checks for Drivers
DVLA Checks are another important screening tool that can be used to assess whether drivers are safe for recruitment.
A DVLA Check allows organisations that employ drivers to check that the driver has a full driving license and helps them to fulfil their duty of care to passengers.
The DVLA Check will reveal the following:
- Expiry date of the licence
- Types of vehicles that the applicant is able to drive
- Details of driving convictions and offences
- Details of penalty points
- Qualification or disqualification status
Get The DBS Checks You Need for Your Drivers
If you work in a recruitment role that involves hiring drivers, then you’ll need to make sure that they get the appropriate level of DBS Check carried out.
If the role is a regulated activity that involves frequently transporting children or vulnerable adults, then they will need to get an Enhanced DBS Check with a barred list check.
If not, you request that they get a Basic DBS Check which is available to anyone aged 16 or over.
To find out how you can apply for DBS Checks online using our easy-to-use portal, get in touch now.
