DBS RENEWAL PITFALLS: LTDA warns taxi drivers not to get caught out
- Perry Richardson
- 4 minutes ago
- 2 min read
A Licensed Taxi Drivers’ Association (LTDA) representative has issued a warning to members over the risks of losing cover on the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) Update Service.
Chris Goddard, LTDA Heathrow Representative, explains in TAXI magazine how a simple missed payment can force drivers into restarting the entire process, costing time, money, and potentially lost earnings.
Goddard recalls when renewing a taxi licence was far simpler. “I still remember when renewing your licence was as simple as going to the Public Carriage Office counter at Penton Street, handing over a few quid and two passport photos, then walking away with your new licence shortly afterwards,” he writes. Now, with digital systems and stricter checks in place, the DBS Update Service was meant to streamline the process, but drivers must remain vigilant.
The system automatically deducts the £16 annual fee using saved card details. In theory, it runs smoothly, with a reminder email sent a month before renewal. However, many drivers report that they never receive these emails, and because the DBS sign-up often happens months before licence renewal, dates are easily forgotten. “If your payment details are not up to date and the annual £16 fee fails, you will be removed from the system with no warnings and no grace period,” Goddard explains.
Once removed, drivers must apply for a brand-new DBS check and re-join the Update Service, restarting the process from scratch. This can cause significant delays and prevent drivers from renewing their taxi licence on time. “This comes at a cost, both in time and money,” Goddard stresses.
To illustrate the risk, Goddard shares the type of reminder email drivers should expect. It outlines the renewal date, explains that the payment will be taken automatically, and advises drivers to update their card details if they have changed. But, as he points out, relying on a single email has already caught out several LTDA member's.
The advice from Goddard is to check your DBS Update Service account well ahead of the renewal date, set calendar reminders, and ensure payment information is current. He emphasises that the DBS will not call or write to drivers about failed payments, and it does not accept payments over the phone. “If your payment fails and your subscription expires, you’ll be out of the system and therefore require a new DBS application, a fresh check and a new sign-up for the Update Service,” he says.
