DRIVER APPLICANT/ LICENSEE FAQ’s
WHY DO I NEED A “DBS ENHANCED WITH 4 EXCEPTED QUESTIONS” CERTIFICATE NOW?
National Government Statutory Guidance now requires all taxi and private hire Licensing authorities to make licensees and applicants join the DBS update service at an annual cost. This can only be done when a new Certificate is applied for OR when the Certificate is issued. This must now be done through taxiplus.
If you are already subscribed for DBS Updates you should provide a copy of all pages of your most recent “Enhanced with 4 Excepted Questions” Certificate to the Council for checking and uploading to the system. If you do not have such a Certificate and Update service subscription you must first apply through taxiplus.
Once licensed, if taxiplus later inform us that your Update Service subscription has lapsed or that you have a further conviction you will be required to obtain a new DBS Certificate and Update Service subscription. If not done within six months your licence will then be suspended or revoked.
WHY DO I NEED A DVLA LICENCE CHECK NOW?
All licensing authorities must be sure applicants have a valid DVLA licence which is in a good order. This must now be done as part of the licensing process at every application via taxiplus.
IF I HAVE A CRIMINAL OR MOTORING MATTER OR A CONVICTION CAN I STILL APPLY FOR A LICENCE?
National Government Statutory Guidance now requires all taxi and private hire Licensing authorities to have a “Fit and Proper Person” Policy for taxi and Private Hire Drivers. If you have convictions and before you incur any costs you are advised to consult the policy. Certain offences bar you from obtaining a licence, either permanently or for specified minimum periods. The Policy Guidance document explains what the effects of a particular type of offence are. The Rehabilitation of Offenders Act provisions do not apply to driver applications.
IF I HAVE HAD A LICENCE REVOKED OR REFUSED CAN I REAPPLY FOR A LICENCE?
National Government Statutory Guidance now requires all taxi and private hire Licensing authorities to check applications against a National Register. Applicants are asked if they have ever had a licence refused or revoked. If applicants falsely fail to declare OR if the breach the current policy then that application will be referred to a panel for determination only after a DBS and DVLA check has been completed.
WHY DO I NEED A MEDICAL NOW?
National Government Statutory Guidance now requires all taxi and private hire Licensing authorities to adopt a medical policy as part of determining “Fit and Proper” status. The Vocational DVLA Group II standard must be met or a licence cannot be issued.
Medicals are required at first licensing, then at age 45, 50, 55,60, 65 and then annually thereafter. The webpage lists a medical provider who can provide a medical service for drivers and the questionnaire can be downloaded from the webpage.
If you are an accredited HGV or PSV/PCV driver with medical entitlement on their DVLA photocard licence, then those dates can be used on submission of a signed medical declaration by the applicant.
PROVING A “RIGHT TO WORK AND RESIDE” ENTITLEMENT
National legislation requires all driver applicants to show evidence of a Right to Work and Reside” in the UK. Unless you produce a British passport as evidence you must now obtain a share code from Prove your right to work to an employer. Previously a residence card would prove entitlement but now a share code (valid only for 30 days) is also required before a licence can be issued.
DO I NEED TO PROVE HMRC REGISTRATION FOR TAX AS A LICENSED DRIVER APPLICANT?
National legislation requires all RENEWAL driver applicants to show evidence of being registered as a driver with HMRC via a share code available from Complete a tax check for a taxi, private hire or scrap metal licence These share codes are valid for 120 days and only apply to driver applications.
New Drivers and those whose licence last expired more than 1 year ago need to act upon the guidance at Confirm your tax responsibilities when applying for a taxi, private hire or scrap metal licence but a licence can still be issued.
VEHICLE APPLICANT/ LICENSEE FAQ’S
HOW DO I KNOW WHAT VEHICLES CAN BE LICENSED?
The Council has an established testing procedure which lists the vehicle specifications which are considered to be safe, fit and comfortable for the grant of a licence. Any costs incurred in connection with a vehicle which does not meet the adopted standard is at the risk of the applicant. The Current Vehicle Testing Standards document is currently available for download.
HOW DO I BOOK A VEHICLE TEST?
You can only book a Taxi/ Private Hire Vehicle Compliance test (MOT) through Knowsley Council Online Services. Renewal Vehicle Licence Applications for Compliance Tests can currently only be booked 28 days before the expiry of the current licence.
Replacement Vehicle Licence applications should be selected as “vehicle change” and not as “renewal” applications.
IF I HAVE A CRIMINAL OR MOTORING MATTER OR A CONVICTION CAN I APPLY FOR A VEHICLE LICENCE?
National Government Statutory Guidance now requires all taxi and private hire Licensing authorities to have a “Fit and Proper Person” Policy for taxi and Private Hire vehicle owners. If you have convictions and before you incur any costs you are advised to consult the policy. Certain offences bar you from obtaining a licence, either permanently or for specified minimum periods. The Policy Guidance document explains what the effects of a particular type of offence are. The Rehabilitation of Offenders Act provisions do apply to vehicle proprietor applications.
IF I AM NOT A LICENSED DRIVER DO I NEED A BASIC DBS CHECK?
Any Vehicle licence applicant who is not a current licensed driver, is required, at least once a year to submit a Basic DBS Check at their own expense. These Basic checks can be applied for online via Request a basic DBS check Any “non-driver” applicant who has not submitted a valid certificate within the last year must do so before a licence can be issued. Existing Licensed Drivers do not need this as the Enhanced with Excepted Questions “Certificate is of a higher standard.
DO I NEED TO PROVE HMRC REGISTRATION FOR TAX AS A VEHICLE LICENCE APPLICANT?
National legislation requires all RENEWAL vehicle licence applicants to show evidence of being registered as a driver with HMRC via a share code available from Complete a tax check for a taxi, private hire or scrap metal licence These share codes are valid for 120 days and only apply to vehicle applications.
New vehicle applicants and those whose licence last expired more than 1 year ago need to act upon the guidance at Confirm your tax responsibilities when applying for a taxi, private hire or scrap metal licence. but a licence can still be issued.
PRIVATE HIRE OPERATOR APPLICANT/ LICENSEE FAQ’S
WHERE MUST MY BUSINESS BE BASED IN ORDER FOR KNOWSLEY TO GRANT A LICENCE?
Knowsley MBC will only issue Private Hire Operator licences to a premise which is located within the area of Knowsley Council. If an operating base is elsewhere then the application must go to the council of that area.
IF I HAVE A CRIMINAL OR MOTORING MATTER OR A CONVICTION CAN I APPLY FOR AN OPERATOR LICENCE?
National Government Statutory Guidance now requires all taxi and private hire Licensing authorities to have a “Fit and Proper Person” Policy for taxi and Private Hire Operators. If you have convictions and before you incur any costs you are advised to consult the policy. Certain offences bar you from obtaining a licence, either permanently or for specified minimum periods. The Policy Guidance document explains what the effects of a particular type of offence are. The Rehabilitation of Offenders Act provisions do apply to vehicle proprietor applications.
IF I AM NOT A LICENSED DRIVER DO I NEED A BASIC DBS CHECK?
Any Operator licence applicant who is not a current licensed driver, is required, at least once a year to submit a Basic DBS Check at their own expense for all officers/ partners/directors. These Basic checks can be applied for online via Request a basic DBS check. Any “non-driver” applicant who has not submitted a valid certificate within the last year must do so before a licence can be issued. Existing Licensed Drivers do not need this as the Enhanced with Excepted Questions “Certificate is of a higher standard.
PROVING A “RIGHT TO WORK AND RESIDE” ENTITLEMENT FOR AN OPERATOR LICENCE
National legislation requires all Private Hire Operator applicants to show evidence of a Right to Work and Reside” in the UK. Unless you produce a British passport as evidence you must now obtain a share code from Prove your right to work to an employer - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk) . Previously a residence card would prove entitlement but now a share code (valid only for 30 days) is also required before a licence can be issued.
DO I NEED TO PROVE HMRC REGISTRATION FOR TAX AS A LICENSED DRIVER APPLICANT?
National legislation requires all RENEWAL driver applicants to show evidence of being registered as a driver with HMRC via a share code available from Complete a tax check for a taxi, private hire or scrap metal licence. These share codes are valid for 120 days and only apply to driver applications.
New Drivers and those whose licence last expired more than 1 year ago need to act upon the guidance at Confirm your tax responsibilities when applying for a taxi, private hire or scrap metal licence but a licence can still be issued.
DO I NEED TO PROVE HMRC REGISTRATION FOR TAX AS A PRIVATE HIRE OPERATOR LICENCE APPLICANT?
National legislation requires all RENEWAL Operator licence applicants to show evidence of being registered as an Operator with HMRC via a share code available from Complete a tax check for a taxi, private hire or scrap metal licence. These share codes are valid for 120 days and only apply to Operator applications.
New vehicle applicants and those whose licence last expired more than 1 year ago need to act upon the guidance at Confirm your tax responsibilities when applying for a taxi, private hire or scrap metal licence but a licence can still be issued.
DO I NEED PLANNING PERMISSION FOR A PRIVATE HIRE OPERATOR BASE?
Planning permission (or a Certificate of Lawful Use”) is usually required for multi car operators. This must be produced before submitting a new Operator licence application. For further details please see read this document.
Smaller Operations or single car bases may instead of full Planning permission accept five additional licence conditions, which if no Ward Councillors object to the business, may still permit the grant of a licence in suitable cases.