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Criminal Records Certificates: Taxi Drivers

The Government have received representations from a number of organisations concerning the appropriate level of criminal records checks for licensed taxi and public hire vehicle drivers. At present the legal entitlement for many drivers is for a standard level criminal records check, although the practice has grown up of applying for enhanced level checks across the sector. These checks include any relevant local police information, in addition to a record of previous criminal convictions, cautions and warnings. Having carefully considered these representations, and consulted representatives of the sector, we have decided that:"All taxi and private hire drivers should be entitled to enhanced criminal records checks; and""Licensing authorities will additionally be entitled to check whether any applicant is barred from work with children or vulnerable adults under the Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act 2006." Taking account of the fact that many drivers are self-employed, criminal records applications may be made through the appropriate licensing authority. The decision on whether to grant a licence will remain a matter for the licensing authority. This change clarifies the law and regularises practice which has grown up over many years in the taxi sector. Changes will be made by secondary legislation as soon as practicable.