Frequently asked questions for drivers
Welcome to TaxiPlus! As you begin your DBS journey, you may have a few questions about the application process, the DBS Update Service, or how to get your identity verified. Below, we've listed the most common questions asked by drivers across the UK. We hope these answers help clear up any queries you may have. Alternatively if you have any other questions, you can email us direct on hello@taxiplus.co.uk.
Completing your application
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To get started, you need to navigate to this page - https://www.taxiplus.co.uk/im-a-driver
Once you've landed on that page, you need to look for your licensing authority’s logo from the list by scrolling down the page or using the search function.
Once you’ve found your licensing authority, click on the image to open the page. You’ll then find yourself on your licensing authority's dedicated landing page.
Here you will see buttons which list the services we fulfil on behalf of your licensing authority.
Select the correct button and you will be taken to a new page to begin your DBS application.
On this page, you will be asked to enter your details.
You will then be prompted to either create an account for the first time or log in if you have previously created a TaxiPlus account during another application.
(Don’t worry if you’ve forgotten your password, you will be able to reset it from that page)
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Your DBS application with TaxiPlus can be completed on a smartphone, tablet, computer or any other appropriate device.
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On average it takes between 5-10 minutes to complete the entire process, including ID Verification.
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When completing your DBS application, you need to enter your current legal name when asked for your first name, middle name(s), and last name(s).
There is a dedicated section to add any and all of your previous names, if you've had any.
It is important that you list any name that you have previously been known in an official capacity
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Enhanced DBS Checks have the longest turnaround time of any DBS Check.
On average, they take around 12-14 days for the check to be completed, and then up to 14 days for the certificate to arrive in the post.
However, this is not guaranteed and processing times can vary significantly between applications.
It is not unusual for an Enhanced DBS Application to take several weeks.
There are various reasons for this, such as DBS workload, police staffing issues, current events and discrepancies on the application form.
Our team cannot speed up your DBS Check.
If an outstanding DBS Check is impacting your employment, you need to contact the DBS directly to request a hardship escalation.
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If you've processed a DBS Check with TaxiPlus before, you will have an account set up with us.
In this case, you would start a DBS application via your licensing authority's dedicated portal via this page.
You will complete your details as normal but your new application will be linked to your account.
All your previous applications will be retained on your account.
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No!
TaxiPlus has improved and we can now complete the ID Verification process for your DBS application completely digitally.
This means you no longer need to go to the post office for external verification.
You can learn more about our Online ID Verification further down this page.
The DBS update service
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Absolutely!
It's extremely important that you register for the DBS Update Service as soon as you can.
The Department for Transport has mandated licensing authorities must conduct criminality checks on drivers every 6 months.
If you fail to register for the Update Service within 28 days of receiving your DBS Certificate, your licensing authority will need you to complete a new DBS Check.Registering for the Update Service means that you do not need to go through a new DBS Check every 6 months.
In fact, registering for the DBS Update Service potentially removes the need to ever do a DBS Check again when applying for your licence.
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Only if your licensing authority uses TaxiPlus to help manage the DBS Update Service.
If we do, then once we have received notification that your DBS Check has been completed, we will send you an email explaining what you need to do to sign-up.
We will continue sending reminder prompts until our system has detected that you have registered, or, until the registration window has passed. -
If you're applying for a licence renewal with the same licensing authority then you will not need to complete another DBS Check.
This remains the case for as long as you have a live Update Service subscription.
If you apply for a licence with a different licensing authority, then it is at their discretion whether or not they accept the exisiting subscription. They may ask you to complete another one.
If you have a DBS Certificate registered to the Update Service for another role/voluntary work, then you will need to complete a new DBS Check for your taxi or private hire licence. -
To register for the DBS Update Service, you need to navigate to the following page:
https://secure.crbonline.gov.uk/crsc/apply?execution=e1s1
Here you will be asked to provide some personal information as well as a reference number relating to your DBS Check.
There are two references you can use to register for the DBS Update Service:
Using your DBS Certificate number:Once your DBS Check is complete, you will receive your DBS Certificate. You can sign up to the Update Service using your certificate number. If you choose to do this, you must join the Update Service within 30 days of the ‘date of issue’ displayed on your certificate.
Using your e-reference number:
You can join the Update Service using your e-reference whilst your check is being processed. The e-bulk provider will be able to provide your e-reference number. If you have completed a paper DBS application, you can use your application reference from the form instead.
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No!
You can register for the Update Service as soon as your tracking information has been provided by the DBS.This e-reference number can be used to sign up, even when your DBS Check is still in progress.
We always recommend registering as soon as possible just to make sure you don't forget!
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YES!
We cannot stress this enough. It is extremely important to keep your DBS Certificate, even if you are registered to the Update Service.For an Update Service subscription to be valid, the original certificate must be retained.
Online ID Verification (OIDV)
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Online ID Verification (OIDV) is the culmination of a huge effort between UK Government, the Disclosure and Barring Service, and industry to establish a modern identity-checking service.
OIDV allows applicants to verify their identity electronically via the device of their choice.
TaxiPlus use OIDV to make applying for your DBS Check quicker and easier.
By using a combination of documents, biometric data, and multiple national databases, OIDV provides a higher level of assurance than traditional identity verification.
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At the moment, only 3 forms of ID are acceptable for OIDV. you must provide either a Passport, Biometric Residence Permit or Driving Licence (UK/Channel Islands/Isle of Man)(full or provisional).
Most licensing authorities require you to provide a driving licence as one of the documents for OIDV.
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There are a number of reasons that someone might fail OIDV. It could be simply because the pictures you took of your documents weren’t clear enough or it could be something more complex.
The TaxiPlus platform gives you 2 attempts to complete OIDV. If you fail both of these attempts, you will be prompted to complete your DBS application form and then upload your ID at the end.
Our team will then check your ID and complete the ID Verification manually for you.
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To be able to verify someone's identity, a combination of attributes needs to be assessed. In the case of DBS Checks, the attributes being assessed are:
A Subject's personal information (i.e name, DOB, and address history)
A Subject's ID (Passport, Driving Licence, etc.)
A Subject's physical resemblance to their ID
OIDV enables this assessment to be carried out digitally by uploading documents via an online service or platform. These services are built and managed by government-certified Identity Service Provider (IDSPs).
IDSPs use extensive databases and advanced technology, like AI, to establish confidence in someone's identity.
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Documents are stored for 30 days only.
All uploaded ID data is encrypted and stored for a maximum of 30 days before being purged. Up until this point, only TaxiPlus can view the ID data.
Both TaxiPlus and our ID verification partner Yoti are ISO27001 accredited and undergo annual penetration testing to ensure our data protection practices are up to scratch.
This means you can be confident your data is secure.
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Yoti are the IDSP that Personnel Checks have partnered with to deliver Online ID Verification.
Yoti is a global digital identity and biometric technology company.
They have been leading the world in Digital ID and Online ID technologies since 2014. They specialise in digital and online identity verification, age verification, and estimation, eSignatures, and authentication.
We chose to partner with Yoti for our Online DBS Checks as they are recognised by the UK government as one of the leading digital and online ID service providers (IDSPs).
They are certified by the UK government to deliver OIDV safely, securely, and accurately.
We have embedded their portal into our product to provide a seamless IDV process.
You can find out more about Yoti via their website here.
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Unfortunately, no.
While we appreciate that many documents have gone digital, the Disclosure and Barring Service do not accept online or digital documents in support of a DBS application.
General FAQs
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To track the progress of your DBS Check, you need to visit the following page:
https://secure.crbonline.gov.uk/enquiry/enquirySearch.do
You will need to enter your DBS application reference number (e-reference) and your date of birth
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Once you've received your DBS Certificate, you need to get in touch with your licensing authority to continue with your licence application.
Most licensing authorities need you to book an appointment and take your DBS Certificate with you.
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If it has been 14 days or more since your DBS Certificate was posted out to you, you need to contact the DBS directly to request a reprint.
You can contact them on 0300 0200 190.
It's important you make this request within 3 months (93 days) of the DBS Certificate's issue date. If you fail to request a reprint in this time, you will need to apply for a new DBS Check
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Taxi and private hire drivers must complete an Enhanced DBS Check.
An Enhanced DBS Check with Barred Lists information will show:
Spent and unspent convictions
Final warning, and reprimands from the PNC;
Local police information
Adults’ and/or Children’s Barred List information
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This is entirely at the discretion of the licensing authority that you are applying with.
Under DfT guidance, all licensing authorities must be sure that anyone employed as a taxi or private hire driver must be 'fit and proper'.
Any relevant information revealed on your DBS Certificate could influence the council's decision to issue a licence.
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No.
Once your check is completed, the DBS will post the certificate to you. You cannot receive the certificate via email, or, electronically in any way.
You will receive ONE paper copy of your certificate. You can request a further copy if you meet the criteria for a reprint.
You can sign up to the DBS Update Service. This is the closest you can get to having a digital version of a DBS. Once your check is completed you have 30 days to sign up.
Useful Links for drivers
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