Before you become a licensed private hire or hackney carriage driver, we need to know if you have any criminal convictions. This will help us to assess if you are fit and proper. We will look at all convictions and particular attention will be given to convictions the following:
- crimes resulting in death
- exploitation
- offences resulting in violence
- possession of a weapon
- sex and indecency offences
- dishonesty
- drugs
- discrimination
- motoring convictions (drink driving, driving under the influence of drugs, using a hand-held device or telephone whilst driving)
About disclosure and barring checks
You need to provide us with an Enhanced Disclosure Certificate with Barred Check Lists from the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS).
This will tell us of any convictions listed on the Police National Computer. We will look at all convictions that are listed in the certificate.
If you have had one or more conviction recorded for any of the above offences, your application may be referred to the Licensing Sub-Committee.
However, in rare cases, we may issue a licence if we feel that that you are fit and proper.
Routine checks
Once you are licensed as a private hire or hackney carriage driver, we will carry out a routine check every 6 months.
To do this, you need to register with the DBS Update Service. If you don’t use this service, you will need to provide a valid DBS certificate that has been issued within one month of the check.
Your licence will be suspended if we are not able to make routine checks to your DBS and you are unable to supply us with a certificate dated within the month.
How to apply
To apply for an Enhanced Disclosure Certificate with Barred Check Lists, you need to do the following:
- you need to email taxilicensing@sheffield.gov.uk to get a DBS pack
- complete the DBS form and set up an appointment to have your documents checked face-to-face at our reception
- we will send your complete application to DBS, they will make the necessary checks and return the certificate to you
You can apply for your DBS certificate when you take your knowledge test and driving standards test.
GOV.UK: disclosure and barring service
Cost for a DBS certificate
The DBS certificate costs £49.50.
DBS Update Service
As soon as you receive your DBS certificate, you should email taxilicensing@sheffield.gov.uk with a copy of the full certificate and sign-up to the DBS Update Service within 30 days of receiving the certificate. This will help us to check whether your DBS is current when we give you your licence.
You will need to maintain your subscription with the DBS service by paying an annual fee of £16 per year to DBS.