Private hire disclosure and barring checks

Find out about disclosure and barring checks for your private hire vehicle licence.

You will need to provide us with a Basic Disclosure from the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) if you are applying for a private hire vehicle licence and do not currently hold a driver licence with us.

If a vehicle licence is in the name of a company or a partnership, all named directors and partners within the company will be required to provide us with a Basic Disclosure from the DBS.

This will tell us whether you have any criminal convictions for:

  • crimes resulting in death
  • exploitation
  • offences involving a possession of a weapon
  • sex and indecency offences
  • dishonesty
  • drugs  
  • discrimination

If you have one or more conviction recorded for any of the above offences, you will be automatically referred to the Licensing Sub-Committee. They will then decide if you are suitable to license a private hire vehicle.

If you have a current enhanced Disclosure Barring Certificate, you can use this rather than applying for a basic DBS.

How to apply

The cost for a basic DBS check is £21.50.  

It is available for people working in England and Wales.

GOV.UK: Request a basic DBS check