Transport for London (TfL) has rolled out a significant policy update, which has made Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) criminal record checks compulsory for all taxi and private hire vehicle (PHV) drivers. This move is all about trying to improve safety for passengers in the capital by reassuring them that the authorities who grant taxi licences are doing everything in their power to make sure that those with an extensive criminal record are not able to get a licence to carry passengers. TfL is not alone in this approach, and over recent years many other councils around the country have increased both the depth and frequency of checks for cab drivers.
New Requirements for TfL Drivers
As from 26th February 2024, TfL has stated that no taxi or PHV driver's licence will be issued or renewed unless the applicant is registered with the DBS Update Service. The DBS Update Service, which has an annual subscription charge of £13, offers a much more streamlined process for keeping your DBS status up to date. DBS Update is intended to be a live database offering real-time information, rather than the traditional certificates which can’t be updated once they have been printed. By using the Update service, TfL can carry out disclosure checks every six months, ensuring ongoing compliance with safety standards for all licensed drivers. Update cuts down the administration associated with asking drivers to completed repeated DBS applications or to prove their identity every few months.
Signing Up for DBS Update
Although paying an annual subscription for DBS Update and avoiding the need to fill in lots of forms is an obvious benefit to drivers who could be spending their time earning money, the DBS Update system is not widely understood. Since it was launched, the DBS have not put large sums of money into promoting it, or explaining what it is and the benefits of enrolling in it. This has led to a great deal of misunderstanding over what the Update service is for, and who can use it.
Applicants are only allowed to sign up for DBS Update at the same time as they are completing a DBS application, or within a short window of their certificate being issued. Enrolling in the system is simple, and just requires a short form and the payment of the annual fee using a credit or debit card. Once signed up, members can use the Update system for a full year, and then have the option to continue their membership by paying for another year or opting out of the system.
Members of the DBS Update system can access their own DBS information through an online portal and can also generate share codes to give to employers. Update is also useful for people who change employment regularly, within the same broad industry sector. It does not apply for DBS checks at different levels, or when moving between roles working with, for example, children or adults. Update isn’t for everyone, and it’s essential to understand the costs and limitations before signing up.
