What DBS Check Do I Need, to Work as a Taxi Driver?
If you enjoy meeting people and talking to them and have a passion for driving with a great memory of how to get places, then being a taxi-driver could be the perfect profession for you. You may be surprised to find out that you need a DBS Check to become a taxi driver. The article below will explore this is more detail:
What Steps Do You Need to Take for a Career as a Taxi Driver?
- Legal Driver for 1 or 3 years – if you want to be a taxi driver in most of the UK you need to have qualified to drive for a year. However, if you want to be a taxi driver in London and gain ‘The Knowledge’ then you need to have been qualified to drive for a minimum of three years.
- Qualifications – You can take Level 2 Certificates in Road Passenger Vehicle Driving or an Introduction to the Role of Professional Taxi and Private Van Hire. You would most likely need the equivalent of 2 GCSEs to get onto one of these courses. If you gained these certificates, it could give you an advantage over other applicants when applying for a job and show that you are committed to a career in this field.
- Apply for a Job – You will need a Taxi Driver License – you will need a DBS Check to acquire a Taxi Driver License. You will need to pass a test of the local geographical knowledge. You may also need a medical. You may need your own registered vehicle too.
Why Do Taxi Drivers Needs a DBS Check?
Since 2012 when the Police Act of 1997 Criminal Records regulations were updated by the government, anyone who wants to drive a taxi or Private Hire Vehicle (PHV) is required to have an Enhanced DBS Check. Before 2012 taxi drivers only needed an Enhanced DBS if they were going to transport children or vulnerable adults frequently.
How do I apply for an Enhanced DBS Check?
It would need to be your employer or recruitment agency who would request this Enhanced DBS Check for you. You can complete the form online for ease. An online application helps it to be accurate and not have missing fields, it also can’t get lost in the postal system and cause delays. It’s sensible to gather the ID documents you require prior to filling out the application, so that these are easily to hand when you need them. You will need a form of ID such as a passport, driving license or birth certificate. You will also need two other documents, one of which needs to show your current address. For this, you could use a bank statement, a utility bill, or other government letter.
It is sensible to consider which type of passengers you would like to work with, whether you’ll transport children with home to school drop-offs, or with university students on placements, or for a care home, or a driver who transports a full diverse range of passengers. Depending on the type of regulated activity you do, may mean that you also need to have your DBS Check look at the Barred Lists, for regulated activity with children or vulnerable adults.
Being a taxi driver can be an interesting job, getting to meet lots of new people and driving around the UK. It’s vastly different to a regular 9-5 job. Following the above steps and checks, will help you gain the career you desire.
