DBS Checks for Drivers

Name: DBS Checks for Drivers
Brand: Checks Direct
SKU: dcfd
Availability: InStock
Rating: 4.7 (53 reviews)

For all taxi and private hire companies, DBS checks are an essential part of licensing requirements for drivers, as mandated by local authorities. Checks Direct has been supporting taxi and private hire companies across the UK since 2015, providing streamlined and efficient background screening processes to ensure ongoing risk mitigation and the highest level of trust and passenger safety.

Which drivers need a DBS check?

According to the Department for Transport’s statutory guidance, all taxi and private hire drivers must obtain an Enhanced DBS check as a mandatory component of their licence application process. Licensing authorities are responsible for verifying that each driver has provided an Enhanced DBS Certificate, without which the issuance of a licence is prohibited. Drivers in various other capacities and work settings may be subject to DBS checks to ensure the safety and well-being of the public.

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DBS checks for taxi drivers

Taxi drivers are required to complete an Enhanced DBS check with a check of the barred lists as part of their licensing application.

DBS checks for PCO

An Enhanced DBS check is a mandatory prerequisite for acquiring a PCO licence, which applies to various types of private hire drivers.

DBS checks for private hire drivers

Private hire drivers must provide an enhanced DBS check, which includes a check of the barred lists, in order to be licensed.

DBS checks for delivery drivers

Delivery drivers are eligible for Basic DBS checks as they have minimal contact with the public but are responsible for goods.

DBS checks for bus & coach drivers

In the UK, bus and coach drivers are required to complete a basic DBS check as part of the hiring process.

DBS checks for school bus drivers

School bus drivers are expected to undergo an Enhanced DBS and Children’s Barred List check before they can begin their role.

DBS checks for NHS medicine delivery drivers

NHS medicine delivery drivers typically require an Enhanced DBS check with both Adults' and Children's Barred List checks.

What does an Enhanced DBS check for drivers show?

There are three levels of DBS checks:

Basic checks: Unspent Convictions, Conditional Cautions.
Standard checks: Spent and Unspent Convictions, Cautions, Reprimands, Final Warnings.
Enhanced checks: Spent and Unspent Convictions, Cautions, Reprimands, Final Warnings, any other police information deemed relevant.

All taxi and private hire drivers have to complete an Enhanced DBS check with a check of the Children’s and Adults’ barred lists. This is also the case for any drivers that may have contact with vulnerable individuals, such as school bus drivers. A basic test is usually sufficient for bus and delivery drivers.

Our DBS check process for driving jobs

Our process is designed to be straightforward, accessible, and personalised. As an umbrella body of the DBS, we offer a reliable and efficient service that can be customised to meet the specific requirements of driving professionals.

Our accredited DBS team is committed to exceeding your expectations. We provide expert guidance at every stage, ensuring a seamless DBS check process and the highest level of safety and compliance for your driving roles.

Get started

Register easily online for free

You can set up an account in a matter of minutes, submit applications on our user-friendly portal, and manage checks on your dashboard.

Apply for checks

Our expert team thoroughly reviews each application, verifying all information for accuracy and validity to maximise efficiency throughout the DBS check process.

Receive your results

You will be notified when the results are ready. Our fast turnaround provides confirmation of your checks and peace of mind.

What our clients say

Visit our TrustPilot reviews for real stories of success and satisfaction. Used our services before? Let us know how we did!

All the staff are helpful, knowledgeable and friendly

Caroline Peach CCP

Extremely reliable and attentive to our needs

Julius The Tutors Association

The service has been outstanding.

Abdul Rahim A*Tutoring

The system is great and nothing is ever too much hassle

Link Contract Management Ltd

Driver DBS check pricing

Our competitive pricing ensures operators in the driving industry can maintain regulatory compliance and operational integrity without excessive costs. We offer transparent, cost-effective rates with no hidden fees, enabling you to conduct all necessary checks efficiently across your entire fleet and workforce.

Basic DBS checks

No of Checks	Cost ex VAT	Cost inc VAT
Standard Rate	£34.00	£36.50
51 – 300	£33.17	£35.50
301 – 500	£32.17	£34.30
501 – 750	£31.00	£32.90
751 – 1000	£29.67	£31.30
1001+	£27.75	£29.00

Standard DBS checks

No of Checks	Cost ex VAT	Cost inc VAT
Standard Rate	£34.83	£37.50
51 – 300	£34.00	£36.50
301 – 500	£32.75	£35.00
501 – 750	£30.67	£35.50
751 – 1000	£28.58	£30.00
1001+	£26.92	£28.00

Enhanced DBS checks

No of Checks	Cost ex VAT	Cost inc VAT
Standard Rate	£63.67	£66.50
51 – 300	£58.67	£60.50
301 – 500	£58.46	£60.25
501 – 750	£57.63	£59.25
751 – 1000	£55.54	£56.75
1001+	£54.50	£55.50

Apply for DBS checks

Choosing Checks Direct for transport job DBS checks

Our expertise ensures that driving professionals and organisations meet their regulatory obligations while maintaining a secure and compliant operational environment. We’re proud to have assisted nearly 5,000 satisfied clients, processing over 100,000 DBS and other background checks annually.

Our streamlined online services help you save time, money, and resources, while offering benefits responding to the unique needs of the driving industry

Passenger & road safety

Implement thorough vetting practices to safeguard passengers, other road users, and the public from potential risks associated with drivers’ backgrounds.

Trust & industry reputation

Build trust with passengers, clients, and regulatory bodies by maintaining transparent and reliable hiring processes that meet the highest standards in recruitment.

Quality assurance

Gain peace of mind knowing that background checks are conducted professionally and securely, adhering to driving industry standards and best practices.

Operational reliability

Meet your staffing needs quickly and efficiently with our fast-track vetting system, ensuring uninterrupted transport services and maintaining appropriate driver levels at all times.

Driver retention

Improve staff retention by hiring the right drivers for the right roles, reducing turnover and associated costs while maintaining high-quality transportation services.

Regulatory compliance

Receive expert guidance to perform the appropriate checks and ensure compliance with licensing requirements, and other regulatory standards in the driving sector.

FAQs

DBS checks are accurate up to the point of issue, and therefore companies in the driving industry should request new checks periodically (typically every three years) or subscribe to the DBS Update Service. This allows employers to see if there have been any changes to a certificate, ensuring that their employees maintain the necessary level of clearance to work in the driving industry. In many local authorities, taxi and private hire drivers are required to renew their DBS checks every 1 to 3 years, as stipulated by local licensing regulations.

This depends on the nature of the work as a driver. Typically, a Basic DBS check is sufficient for bus, coach and delivery drivers, and an Enhanced DBS and barred list check is required for taxi and private hire drivers.

For certain driving roles it is not illegal to work without a DBS check, but for most passenger-carrying roles a DBS check is required. This includes, taxi drivers, private hire drivers (e.g. Uber or Lyft), school bus drivers, drivers for community transport services for vulnerable people. These roles tend to require an Enhanced DBS and barred list checks.

No, a DBS check is more general, while a barred list check is a specific component of an Enhanced DBS check. Standard and Basic DBS checks do not include barred list checks. A barred list check is required for people who work closely with children or vulnerable adults.

A DBS check and a CRB check are the same. In 2012 the Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) and Independent Safeguarding Authority (ISA) merged under the Protection of Freedoms Act to form ‘The Disclosure and Barring Service’.

Currently, Transport for London DBS checks are only administered through the official provider GBGroup.

No, in most cases, if a role requires a DBS check, drivers cannot start working before the results have come back.

While a criminal record doesn’t automatically prohibit anyone from becoming a private hire driver, certain offences, especially those related to violence, sexual misconduct, dishonesty, or driving, should usually disqualify them. The licensing authority will assess each case individually, considering the nature of the conviction, its relevance to the role, the time elapsed, and evidence of rehabilitation.

A PCO licence (Private Hire Driver licence) is a licence issued by Transport for London which allows you to legally work as a private hire driver in London, including for companies like Uber. An Enhanced DBS check and barred lists check is required in order to obtain a PCO licence.

Yes, Checks Direct offers quick and easy DBS check applications using our online portal. Simply register for an account and apply for the checks your business requires.

Apply for DBS checks for drivers online today