Licensing officers seek powers to suspend 120 taxi and PHV drivers without updated DBS checks
- Perry Richardson
- Jun 4
- 2 min read
Bury Council’s Licensing and Safety Committee will be asked to approve a proposal on 5 June that would allow officers to suspend Hackney Carriage and Private Hire driver licences where required criminal records information has not been provided.
The request follows attempts by the Licensing Service to gain consent from all licensed drivers for checks to confirm if they are registered on the DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) update service. These checks are part of a broader safeguarding measure introduced through recent procurement changes in how drivers’ criminal record statuses are verified.
Although most drivers have complied, as of 21 May there remain 120 drivers who have not given consent. The Council’s Licensing Service now wants the authority to suspend those drivers’ licences immediately, under the Road Safety Act, until the required DBS consent or documents are submitted.
If approved, the delegation would allow the Head of Public Protection, Licensing Unit Manager, or Deputy Licensing Officer to act without delay when drivers fail to meet DBS requirements. This includes cases where the driver has not applied for an enhanced DBS check, has not registered with the DBS update service, or has not submitted updated DBS documentation before their current certificate expires.
The report confirms that each application will continue to be assessed individually, in line with the Equality Act 2010, and highlights the importance of balancing public safety with drivers’ legal rights. The proposal is considered compliant with the Human Rights Act, which requires decisions to be lawful, reasonable, and proportionate.
Licensing officers argue that the ability to act swiftly is necessary to ensure passenger safety, while still allowing drivers the right to appeal through the courts.
The Committee will now consider the proposal and decide whether to grant the requested delegation of powers.
