CABBIES WILL UNDERGO MORE FREQUENT DBS CHECKS AS PART OF CRACKDOWN

Isle of Wight taxi drivers have to sign up for more frequent criminal record checks — and there is a crackdown on those who have not yet done so. When people first apply for a taxi licence from the Isle of Wight Council, or any licensing authority, they have to undergo a Disclosure and Baring Service (DBS) check, which checks a person’s criminal record. Now under a new requirement, all existing and new drivers have to sign up to the DBS Update Service, meaning that the council’s licensing service must undertake at least twice-yearly checks to ensure its records are up to date. Several drivers have yet to sign up for the service, the council said, and it is undertaking enforcement action to ensure they do. If the drivers do not sign up, they risk having their taxi licences suspended. The council has said it is regularly reviewing progress as drivers sign up. As part of the conditions of holding a Hackney Carriage licence, drivers are required to inform the council within seven days if they have any conviction or caution imposed on them during their licence period. All licensed taxi drivers do have a current DBS certificate, the council has confirmed. Home-to-school taxi transport has not been affected.