You must have an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) Certificate to apply for a taxi driver licence or renew a taxi driver licence (hackney carriage and private hire drivers' licences). Enhanced DBS checks can only be completed through a registered body, such as the council.
When you apply for a taxi driver licence, you'll complete the DBS application, at your appointment with the Licensing Team. You'll receive a DBS Certificate by post; keep it safe.
As a condition for us to grant or renew your taxi driver licence you must subscribe to the DBS Update Service, be aware:
- we use the DBS Update Service to carry out online status checks
- your taxi driver licence may be suspended, or your taxi driver licence renewal delayed, if you do not subscribe to the DBS Update Service
- if you lose your DBS Certificate we'll be unable to carry out an online status check, because your DBS Certificate must be viewed alongside status check results
Using the DBS Update Service
Please subscribe to the DBS Update Service as soon as you receive your DBS Certificate (within 30 days); log on and enrol using your DBS Certificate number:
- a DBS Update Service subscription costs £16.00 per year, payable to the DBS, by credit or debit card
- you can opt-in to automatic annual subscription renewals with the DBS Update Service (or re-subscribe up to 30 days before your current subscription ends)
- if you use automatic re-subscriptions, it's your responsibility to ensure your payment details held by DBS Update Service remain current and valid
- DBS Update Service will send you a reminder 30 days before your subscription is due to expire (add donotreply@dbs.gsi.gov.uk to your 'safe email address' list)
- if your subscription has not been renewed 14 days before the expiry date, DBS Update Service will send a reminder letter
- you can’t renew on the subscription expiry date because the account will be closed
If your annual subscription to the DBS Update Service expires, you'll be required to undertake a new DBS application and re-subscription, prior to renewing your taxi driver licence.
Cancelling DBS updates
You can cancel your subscription to the DBS Update Service at any time.
Any DBS Certificates related to your subscription will be removed, and will no longer be eligible for online status checks.
For support, contact the DBS Helpline, telephone: 03000 200 190.