Hackney carriage and private hire driver licences
Contents
DBS check
Applicants are required to hold a criminal record check through the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) as part of their application. This must be a DBS Enhanced Disclosure with the Adults and Children’s Barred list check.
New applicants must upload a copy of their DBS certificate (as well as renewing applicants who are not yet subscribed to the DBS update service). Only DBS certificates which have been applied for through North Northamptonshire Council will be accepted when your application is submitted to us.
If a renewal depends on us receiving DBS certificate, apply for it this must be applied for a minimum of six weeks before expiry of the licence.
The Government provides information on the type of identity documents needed for your DBS check.
Arrange a check
You can arrange a DBS check online.
You must subscribe to the DBS Update service when applying for your next DBS check - you can register while your DBS is still in process using an e-reference number, or applicants can sign up within 30 days of the DBS issue date using the certificate number. There is a small fee to subscribe.
If your application is successful, we will use the DBS Update service to carry out a status check on your certificate every six months. If any changes are recorded a licence holder will be required to undertake a new DBS check through us and at their own expense.
You should be aware that we are allowed to check for the existence and content of any criminal record held in the name of an applicant.
Completed checks
Once submitted with your application, your DBS certificate will only be considered valid for 3 months - including if your application is referred to the Licensing Sub-Committee.
If you provide us with a DBS certificate, once we have been able to accept your application as complete, we will send you an appointment to arrange to verify your document.
Renewals
Renewal applicants who are subscribed to the update service and have had their original certificate previously verified by us should confirm their subscribed certificate number to us on application.
Convictions
When submitting an application, you need to declare any convictions or cautions you may have, not matter how old they are. Convictions, whether 'spent' or 'unspent' under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 will be taken into consideration.
Information received from the DBS will be kept in strict confidence while the licensing process takes its course and will be retained for no longer than is necessary.
The disclosure of a criminal record or other information will not automatically debar you from gaining a licence, unless the authority considers that the conviction renders you unsuitable. In making the decision, we will consider:
- the nature of the offence
- how long ago
- what age you were when it was committed
- any other factors which may be relevant
We adhere to the DBS Code of Practice.
Certificate of good character
If you have spent six months or more continuously outside the UK in the last five years, evidence of a criminal record check from the countries visited (covering the duration overseas) will be needed.
Where such checks are not available, a certificate of good character (previously named certificate of good conduct) needs to be authenticated by the relevant embassy.
The certificate of good character must be in English.
Last updated 19 April 2023